Two-day classical music, dance gala

The Lalit Arpan Festival is back with its 2015 edition to be held from August 26 to August 28. Through her Asavari Society, noted Kathak exponent Padma Shri Shovana Narayan, has been holding such festivals and programmes for over 36 years. These festivals focus on spreading awareness about the rich heritage of our classical music and dance traditions, thus ensuring its preservation.

In collaboration with Dr Jyotsna Suri, the annual Lalit Arpan Festival under the aegis of Asavari Society is currently in its 14th year.

On August 26, the dance rendering of Chiragh-e-Dair on Mirza Ghalib’s Ode to the holy city of Benaras -- that he termed as the Kaba of Hindostan -- will be performed by Shovana Narayan along with her Asavari Repertory, at the Kamani Auditorium. The sagacity of true secular spirit, transcendence of religious bindings and expression of universal love, can be best seen in the ode to Benaras by Mirza Ghalib. Translated in Urdu by poet, late Ali Sardar Jafri, Ghalib’s imagery and sentiments are not only an ode to humanity but are also an ode to shared faith, to the spirit of inclusion and pluralism.

The second day of the event, August 27, will see a Hindustani vocal recital by Vidushi Saniya Patankar at the Triveni Kala Sangam Auditorium. A gifted vocalist, Patankar is a Sangeet Visharad. She will beaccompanied by Ashish Sen Gupta on the tabla and Vinay Misra on the harmonium.

Also, the creator of Satvik Veena, Pt Salil Bhatt will be performing on the same day. An heir to a 500-year musical legacy, Pt Bhatt represents the dynamic face of the new age Indian musician. From solo concerts and international collaborations to exotic jugalbandis and global fusions, he has managed to marvel audiences in India and overseas, in a span of 25 years. He will be accompanied by Himanshu Mahant on the tabla. The final day of the event on August 28, will include another Hindustani vocal recital by Pt Omkar Havaldar at the Triveni Kala Sangam Auditorium.

One of the outstanding artistes of dhrupad and khayal in the younger generation of classical vocalists, Omkarnath Havaldar is the inheritor of the finest nuances of the Kirana Gharana-style of Hindustani vocal music of India. He will be accompanied by Kedarnath Havaldar on the tabla and by Sameer Havaldar on the harmonium.

The day will conclude with a Kathak performance by Shailja Nalwade. An empanelled artiste of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Nalwade is also a recognised artiste of the Sangeet Natak Academy. She will be accompanied by several musicians including Shamiullah Khan and Mahavir Gangani.

The Lalit Arpan Festival will be held from August 26 to August 28.
Venue and Time: 6.30 pm on August 26, Kamani Auditorium; 6.30 pm on August 27, Triveni Kala Sangam Auditorium; 6.30pm on August 28, Triveni Kala Sangam
Auditorium. Entry is free.