Jugalbandi and more at Delhi classical music festival

Flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia, santoor player Shivkumar Sharma, vocalist Jasraj and classical singer and "Thumri" exponent Girija Devi will perform at the Delhi classical music festival here beginning Oct 8.

The five-day festival at Kamani Auditorium is open to all. It is being organised by the Delhi government's Department of Art, Culture and Languages and the Punjabi Academy.

The festival will begin with Pandit Jasraj's powerful vocals and Mustafa Raza's veena renditions. Jugalbandi by the sarod-flute duo of Shiv Kumar Sharma and Chaurasia are among its highlights.

"India's rich and soulful classical music traditions deserve a place much above any other," said Rawail Singh, secretary, Punjabi Academy, in a statement here Saturday.

"Indian classical music artists have taken Indian music to foreign shores where they have drawn unparalleled appreciation and at the same time they have a loyal audience back home. We believe we should promote Indian classical music to ensure younger audience stays rooted with its history," he said.

Sitar maestro Budhaditya Mukherjee and vocalist Mashkoor Ali Khan will be the attractions on the second day while the third day will bring together vocalists Girija Devi and Meeta Pandit.