Raza Foundation celebrates the 'Guru' in classical fest

Four of the finest performers in the country are set to perform in a two-day festival of classical dance and music here, organised and supported by the Raza Foundation, beginning January 17.
The festival, 'Mahima' organised in memory of the late Modern Indian painter Syed Haider Raza attempts to highlight the presence, meaning and relevance of the Guru in classical performing traditions of India.
"The four performers would explore presence of the Guru, in the role of the teacher, a promoter of individual vision and the innovator in classical music and classical dance," said Ashok Vajpeyi, who heads the Raza Foundation.

Grammy-nominated Sitar maestro Ustaad Shujaat Khan from the Imdad Khan Gharana will open the festival 'Mahima: The Return of the Guru' at Triveni Kala Sangam with a recital that hopes to bring to life the memories of his father and guru, the legendary Sitarist Ustaad Vilayat Khan.
"I am looking forward to playing at this festival that has been specifically put together to highlight and glorify the role of our teachers in our life. Everything we learn from our masters is incorporated in our art, every single time we pick up our instrument," said the musician who has been celebrated for having a contemporary approach to music.

A Koodiyattam performance by Kapila Venu follows on the same day.

Kapila who began learning the traditional dance form of Kerala at a young age from her father's guru, the legendary Ammannur Madhava Chakyar, also spent some early years with Usha Nangiar, a senior disciple of Chakyar. Her father Koodiyattam exponent G Venu later took her under his tutelage.
"I consider it a great blessing to be able to train under my guruji in the initial years and later being mentored by my father. I am eager to participate in the festival, which highlights the role of the guru," Kapila said.

The second day of the festival begins with a 'khayal' recital by Ashwini Bhide who hails from the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. Famed in the music circles for her renditions of kabir bhajans, the vocalist from Mumbai has been trained under Narayanrao Datar as well as her mother Manik Bhide. Pandit Ratnakar Pai continued to be her mentor till he passed away in the year 2009.
The festival concludes with a performance by renowned Odissi dancer Madhavi Mudgal who will focus on her guru, Kelucharan Mohapatra.
"I will be showcasing his choreography which I learnt from him many, many years ago. It is a special work and comprises of different pieces. We are only extending the boundaries of what he taught us," Madhavi said.

Ashok Vajpeyi, the executive trustee of the Raza Foundation explains that the event was first organised last year as a private initiative of a gathering of friends. It then led to the creation of this annual platform in Delhi.
"It brought into focus the centrality of the Guru which is now being undermined, though lip service continues to be paid. The Raza Foundation decided that this endeavour should become an annual event. We also organized 'Uttaradhikar' featuring young disciples recommended by eminent Gurus late last year. Both festivals are now annual events," Vajpeyi said.