2 min readMar 20, 2013 03:20 AM IST
First published on: Mar 20, 2013 at 03:20 AM IST
The 43rd Pracheen Kala Kendra Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan,a five-day extravaganza,starts today.
It was started 43 years ago with a simple mission: to bring people together on a single platform to appreciate Indian classical music and dance. The stalwarts of classical traditions from across India were part of the annual Pracheen Kala Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan — the brainchild of dancer Madan Lal Koser. And it continues since then. The festival has the distinction of being one of the few festivals in India that feature all the three branches of classical music — vocal,instrumental and dance.
“Every year,renowned artistes from all over the country come to Chandigarh to participate in the event,which doesn’t have any entry fee from the audience since its aim is to promote and propagate classical Indian art and culture,” says festival in-charge Shobha Koser.
Kolkata-based percussionists Madhusudan Barman and Gopal Barman will open the festival today with a tabla-sreekhol jugalbandi. Known as Barman Bandhus in music circles,the duo has learnt the intricacies of these instruments under the tutelage of legendary Pandit Shankar Ghosh. The second performance on the inaugural evening will be an Odissi dance by Sujata Mohapatra and her troupe. Bhubaneswar-based Mohapatra is known for her stylistic performances. On the second day,Manu Kumar Seen will demonstrate the subtle techniques of sitar-playing in the style of the Etawah gharana. A dance troupe led by Kuchipudi exponent Guru Jayarama Rao and Vanashree Rao will present a recital later in the day.
The highlight of the third day will be a Bharatanatyam recital by French national,Devayani. The fourth evening will feature two celebrated vocalists of the Kirana gharana — Arshad Ali Khan and Amjad Ali Khan. On the concluding day,Pandit Narendranath Dhar will present a sarod recital. The dance troupe led by Vaswati Misra will provide a befitting finale to the event with a Kathak performance.
All performances will be held at Tagore Theatre,6:30 pm onwards.
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