100 harmonium players to perform at summit

At least 100 harmonium players will come together to mark the birth centenary of the legendary harmonium exponent, Late Pandit Rambhau Bijapure at the World Harmonium Summit, 2018 to be held in the city starting from January 5.

The summit will feature enthralling performances by celebrated and prominent harmonium maestros from across the world.

The highlight of the summit is Shatha Kantha Gayana, a 100 voices choir along with Shatha Samvadini Vaadana, an ensemble of 100 harmoniums which will be orchestrated by Archana Belagundi, a senior disciple of Pandit Bijapure.

The three-day summit will feature recitals of various styles like Carnatic, Hindustani, Western, solos, duets, theatre music, lecture demonstrations, documentary shows, and ensembles.

The summit is hosted by Bijapure Harmonium Foundation, an organisation dedicated to the cause of promotion and propagation of Harmonium.

The late Pandit Bijapure taught music to more than 15,000 students over a period of 76 years. He performed along with country's five generations of vocalists- from Ustad Abdul Kareem Khan Saheb. He explored the role of Harmonium as a solo instrument and his playing style carved its own place under the title of 'Bijapure Gharana'.

The summit will be held at the  Chowdiah Memorial Hall on January 5 and at Krishnadevaraya Kalamandira on January 6 and 7.