Classical Notes

It’s a five-day extravaganza that promises the best of dance,drama,music,art and literature. The third Chandigarh Arts and Heritage Festival,which is committed to establishing Chandigarh as a destination for the arts and promoting cultural tourism opens on March 26,one day after it was originally slated to begin.

The late start is because of cancellation of Neelam Man Singh Chaudhary’s play Blood Wedding. Now the festival will open with performances by sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan on March 26,which will be followed by a classical vocal performance by noted vocalist Rashid Ali Khan of the Rampur-Sahaswan gharana. There will be a classical dance performance by Vani Ganapathy on March 28. Ganpathy,who began learning bharatnatyam at the age of four will regale the audience with her unique style. The festival’s finale will witness the staging of the historical play Chanakya,directed by Manoj Joshi.

In addition,the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi will also organise an artists camp and workshop at the Government Museum and Art Gallery. Mumbai-based artist Atul Dodiya will conduct a workshop with ten local artists.

As a part of the festival,Chandigarh administration has invited 250 folk artists,who will perform at a stage set up in Sector 17 Passes for the festival are available in Tagore Theatre on first-cum-first-serve basis.