ICCR organises Malhaar festival to invoke the rain God

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In a tradition observed annually by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations since 2004, noted vocalists and dancers are gathering to invoke the rain god through the Malhaar festival.

This year the festival beginning July 8 features artistes from different styles for each of the three day duration of the festival.

"The festival will provide yet another insight into both national and the international audiences into complex and the resonance of Indian performing arts traditions which varies from session to session," says Suresh K Goel, Director General, ICCR

Malhaar is one of the rainy-season ragas performed from June to September. Its mood is joyful because the rain cause the crops to grow and the flowers to bloom. Malhaar is frequently combined with other ragas, particularly Megha.

Many artistes from medieval period and earlier such as Tansen, Baiju Bawra, Baba Ramdas, Nayak Charju, Miyan Bakhshu, Tantarang, Tanras Khan, Bilas Khan (son of Tansen), Hammer Sen, Surat Sen, and Meera were said to have been capable of invoking the rains using various kinds of Raga Malhaar.

The festival opens with Hindustani vocalist Meeta Pandit and Bharatanatyam dancer Rama Vaidyanathan followed by performaces by vocalists Uma Garg, Madhumita Ray Oddissi dancer Shubhada Varadkar, Kathak dansue Vidha Lal among others. (MORE)