Indian classical maestros at an upcoming fest

From the harmonious tones of the violin and the soothing resonance of the santoor to the soul-stirring rhythms of sitar, if you are a connoisseur of Indian classical music the next five days from Tuesday will be your date with some of he country's most-loved maestros at the Delhi Classical Music Festival 2016.

Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Ustad Rashid Khan, among others, will showcase multiple genres at the festival, to be held at the Kamani Auditorium here.

"Contrary to popular perception, our classical music is not losing out to the modern pop culture. This is validated when we see bright young artists eager to master the art and spread it around the world," Bhatt said.

The event will host a series of exponents of different classical music traditions - vocalists, sitar players, veena vadaks, violanists to santoor maestros - all on one stage. Eleven artists - veterans as well as promising virtuosos will perform.

"This event will help expand the reach of our young virtuosos and encourage more young musical talent to take up the art. It is a great pleasure to perform before Delhi's discerning audience," Bhatt said.

To be organised by Department of Art, Culture and Languages of the Delhi Government and Sahitya Kala Parishad, the festival will be inaugurated by Culture Minister Kapil Mishra.

Pandit Jasraj, who will open the festival with his performance, said: "Hindustani classical music has a rich repertoire of traditions and gharanas, each of which has contributed a unique style and tributary to the country's musical culture.

"Over the centuries, our classical music has enriched itself by incorporating different traditions and by intermingling of regional as well as international subtexts. Indian classical music is a true representative of our rich identity and the Delhi Classical Music Festival is a wonderful representation of this richness," he explained.

His act will be followed by Ustad Nishat Khan, a master sitarist from the venerated music family of Ustad Imrat Khan and Vilayat Khan, who has diversified his ensemble by incorporating in it elements of the Gregorian chants, Western classical music, jazz and Flamenco.

The second evening will open with the performance of Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan, an exponent of the Delhi Gharana who has been keenly promoting the works of Amir Khusro through his art. He will be followed by legendary violinist N. Rajam, who is a pioneer of the revolutionary Gayaki Ang.

Vocalist Kalpini Komkali, who is the daughter of the legendary Pandit Kumar Gandharva will open the third day of the festival, followed by the Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.

The fourth evening will witness performances by vocalist duo - Ustad Mazhar Ali Khan and Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan and Flautist Pandit Ronu Majumdar, who is one the finest players of his generation.

Ustad Rashid Khan, an exponent of the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana, will open the fifth day of the festival which will draw to a close with the performance of Santoor maestro Pandit Satish Vyas.

--IANS

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