Shubha Mudgal to perform at Delhi cultural festival

Singer Shubha Mudgal will perform at a three-day festival of music and performing arts which commences January 9 in the national capital, the event's organisers said Saturday.

Titled "Swami Haridas Tansen Sangeet-Nritya Mahotsav", the festival is aimed at spreading and rekindling interest in traditional art forms among youngsters.

"This festival is an attempt to keep alive and spread our musical heritage through a cultural renaissance and resuscitation of the musical ethos by holding a festival of music, dance and vocal recitals (Dhrupads), said Kathak dancer Uma Sharma, the person behind organising the festival.

Apart from Mudgal, flute maestro pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, sitar player Ustad Shujat Khan of the Imdadkhani gharana, classical singer pandit Chhannulal Mishra, a noted exponent of the Kirana gharana of Hindustani classical music, will also perform at the event.

The name of the festival has been derived from two musical legends -- spiritual poet and classical musician Swami Haridas, who was known for his devotional compositions, especially Dhrupad style, and his disciple Tansen, the 16th century Hindustani classical music composer, musician and vocalist.