The first day of the Mahotsav took place on 28th June at the Bal Shikshan Prashala’s MES Auditorium, Mayur Colony Kothrud. The Mahotsav began with ‘Malhar Ke Rang’ wherein Rashmi Moghe, Suranjan Khandalkar, Shubham Khandalkar, Shruti Deshpande-disciple of Padma Deshpande, and Sai Panchal disciple of Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar presented blissful vocals. Pandurang Pawar accompanied them on Tabla and Amey Bichu on Harmonium.

In the second half, internationally acclaimed sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee of the Senia Meher Gharana struck a chord with the audience with his electrifying performance. Purbayan Chatterjee was accompanied by Tanay Rege on Tabla. Rajesh Damle moderated the program.

This year the festival has been supported by Oerlikon Balzers, Suhana, Vilas Javadekar Developers, PNG Jewellers, Lokmanya Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Willow, The Nature, and so on.

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PUNE:  Organised by Pune-based Suhana Basant Foundation and Kannada Sangh, the 6th Sitar Nawaz Ustad Bale Khan Sangeet Mahotsav will be held on Saturday 22nd June and Sunday 23rd June 2024, from 4.30 pm onwards at Shakuntala Shetty Auditorium, Dr. Kalmadi Shamrao High School at Erandwane, Pune. Entry for the Mahotsav is free for all on a first come first served basis.

This Mahotsav is organized by famous Sitar player Rais Khan, son of Ustad Bale Khan in memory of his father who significantly contributed to instituting Sitar in south India. Sitar Nawaz Ustad Bale Khan belongs to the Dharwad Gharana and hails from an illustrious family of the Late ’SitarRatna’ Rahimat Khan.  

Speaking about the festival Rais Khan informed that in this 6th edition of the Mahotsav, special honours will be bestowed upon sitar craftsman Haji Ahmed So Abaso and veteran Taal percussionist Mauli Takalkar. Gayatri Devi Patwardhan from the royal family of Miraj, President of Kannada Sangh Kushal Hegde, Vice President Indira Saliyan, Secretary Malti Kalmadi, and other dignitaries will be present on this occasion.

The Mahotsav will kickstart on Saturday 22nd June at 4.30 pm with a performance of ‘Sitar Shashtak’ by the six Khan brothers- Ustad Chhote Rahimat Khan, Rafiqe, Shafiqe, Rais, Hafiz and Mohasin Khan who will be accompanied by Pt. Rajendra Nakod on tabla. The Shashtak will be followed by the felicitation ceremony wherein Sitar craftsman Haji Ahmed So Abaso and veteran percussionist Mauli Takalkar will be honored. The second half of the first day will witness the melodious vocals of Padmashree Pt. Venkatesh Kumar who will be accompanied by Pt. Bharat Kamat on tabla and Pt. Suyog Kundalkar on harmonium.

The second day of the Mahotsav will begin on Sunday 23rd June at 4.30 pm with the vocal rendition of Vidushi Sangeeta Katti – Kulkarni. Sangeeta Katti-Kulkarni is a Hindustani classical singer and also a famous playback singer and composer who is a recipient of the Karnataka State Rajyotsav Award. She will be accompanied by Pt. Bharat Kamat on tabla and Pt. Suyog Kundalkar on harmonium.

This will be followed by a soulful violin performance by Pt. Pravin Sheolikar and Chaitali Sheolikar. They will be accompanied by Pt. Rajendra Nakod on tabla. The festival will conclude with the captivating vocals by Pt. Shounak Abhisheki, son and disciple of legendary Indian classical singer Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki. He will be accompanied by Pt. Bharat Kamat on tabla and Pt. Suyog Kundalkar on harmonium. The two-day festival will be moderated by Anand Deshmukh.

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Meher Parlikar, an ITC Sangeet Research Academy Scholar and disciple of Pt Ajoy Chakrabarti will present the traditional Abhang during this program. It will also have a flute recital by Anurag Joshi, a disciple of Pandit Milind Date. The main artists would be accompanied by Ramkrishna Karambelkar (Tabla), Prathamesh Taralkar (Pakhawaj), Atharva Kulkarni (Harmonium ), Suhas Paralikar.(Taal) and Geet Inamdar (Tabla).

The post Indi Musicons Organizes ‘Rise’ Concert This June 21st appeared first on NRI News.

GURUGRAM: Air India, India’s leading global airline, today unveiled ‘Safety Mudras’, the airline’s new inflight safety video that seamlessly blends safety instructions with the kaleidoscope of India’s vibrant culture. Developed in collaboration with the visionary trio of Prasoon Joshi of McCann Worldgroup, Shankar Mahadevan, and Bharatbala, the video is meticulously crafted to engage passengers and showcase the diversity and depth of the Indian culture, while delivering essential safety information.

For centuries, Indian classical dance and folk art forms have served as mediums of storytelling and instruction. Air India’s new inflight safety video integrates safety instructions with mudras or dance expressions in eight diverse dance forms – Bharatnatyam, Bihu, Kathak, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, Ghoomar, and Giddha – from around the country. Each featured dance form presents a specific safety instruction, providing vital information in an engaging and culturally immersive manner.

Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, of Air India, said: “As a flagbearer of the country and a longstanding patron of Indian art and culture, Air India is delighted to present a work of art that is designed to deliver essential safety instructions while showcasing India’s rich cultural diversity to travelers around the world. Our guests will find this inflight safety video to be more immersive and informative, and a warm welcome to India from the moment they step onboard.”

Featuring music composed by Grammy Award-winning music composer and singer Shankar Mahadevan, the video invites passengers to experience a harmonious fusion of safety and culture. This project, spanning approximately six months, involved creators traveling and capturing the essence of India visually through mesmerizing locations across the length and breadth of the country.

Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific, CEO & CCO McCann Worldgroup India; and celebrated writer & lyricist said, “Tasked with the challenge to create a concept that keeps passengers engaged, embodies Indian culture and elevates the Air India brand globally, we went to great lengths to poise the essential and the evocative. Indian classical dance forms have one unique dimension – storytelling. And that is what made me think of the idea of using these Indian dance forms to deliver safety instructions for air travel. I am fortunate that this idea found resonance with the fantastic Air India team. And, with a longtime friend and ever-brilliant Bharatbala who made this thought possible. It’s indeed a matter of pride for McCann to work with Air India.”

Shankar Mahadevan, celebrated Indian music composer and singer said, “I am very happy I got to create the music for the safety instruction video for Air India. With the new chapter of Air India, their safety instruction video too is pathbreaking and very culturally rich. It is a combination of the various dance forms from India – with the dancers demonstrating the safety briefing actions by way of mudras. The music changes as per the dance form as well. Cheers to Air India for creating something that has never been done before, I am very proud to be a part of this.”

Bharatbala, Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter said, “Having previously worked on projects that showcase the cultural diversity of India, this nuanced opportunity from Air India, enabled me to present our timeless classical and folk-art forms with a contemporary vision. We are an ancient country but with a modern outlook. For India’s leading global carrier, Air India, to communicate a safety mandate in this manner brought even more responsibility to me to create a spectacle. Filming across the beautiful landscapes and monuments, giving each dance form its place of pride, is truly an enriching experience. This journey enables the passengers to experience India visually, musically, and emotionally on a grand canvas. This film will be etched as one of my special creations and I hope will be an added feather in the rich legacy of Air India. Welcome on board!”

The safety video will be initially accessible on Air India’s recently introduced A350 aircraft, which is equipped with state-of-the-art inflight entertainment screens. It will be progressively deployed on other aircraft in Air India’s fleet.

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On July 1st, the program will start at 5:00 pm and will begin with the performance of Bhimanna Jadhav (Sundri). His son Venkatesh Kumar and Dr. Atul Kamble (Tabla) will accompany him. Vidushi Kalpana Zokarkar (Vocal) will perform with Bharat Kamat (Tabla) and Suyog Kundalkar (Harmonium). The first day will conclude with the Sitar recital of Ustad Usman Khan. Pandit Ravindra Yavgal on Tabla.

Sangeet Natak Academy award winners including Ustad Usman Khan, Pandit Vinayak Torvi, Pandit Ravindra Yavgal, Vidhushi Aarti Anklikar Tikekar, and Pandit Uday Bhavalkar will be felicitated at the hands of noted industrialist Dr. Abhay Firodia on the first day of the event. Kannada Sangha trustees including President Kushal Hegde, Secretary Malti Kalmadi, and Vice President Indira saliyan would also be present on the occasion.

Day 2 (July 2nd) will start at 3:30 pm with the performance of renowned vocalist from the Bhendi Bazar Gharana Anuradha Kuberm which will be followed by Pandit Uday Bhavalkar’s Vocal performance. Jugalbandi between Ustad Rafiq Khan (Sitar) and Abhishek Lahiri (Sarod) would take place thereafter. The festival will end with Pandit Vinayak Torvi’s performance.

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