Tihar Jail inmates get a flavour of classical music

The inmates of Tihar Jail here got to witness a performance of classical music on Thursday as part of a rehabilitation initiative by NGO 'Legends of India' as it celebrated its fifth edition.

In collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi, 'Legends of India' - an endeavour to promote Indian art forms - presented a rendition by Hindustani classical music exponent Nagraj Rao Havaldar who sang a range of soulful songs.

Havaldar said: "An important aspect of music is that it is able to convey emotion and feeling. Music is not grammar. Where speech ends, music begins. Music has tremendous power."

Many in the audience swayed their heads and tapped their feet while some sat still - heads bowed and eyes shut - in deep thought.

The occasion earlier witnessed performances by flautist Ronu Majumdar, and a sitar and cello duo by Shubhendra and Saskia Rao.

Dipayan Mazumdar, chairman of 'Legends of India', said: "Taking initiatives is not difficult but implementing ideas for taking those initiatives on a high elevation takes a lot of hard work."