Monsoon Music

With the Capital already drenched in the season’s first shower,Raag Malhar can’t be far behind. The two-day Malhar Festival,which is organised every year by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) starts today,with an aim to continue India’s artistic tradition of welcoming the rains with music — bringing together famous vocalists and dancers such as Meeta Pandit,Uma Garg and Rama Vaidyanathan. “The festival will be an interesting insight into the complexities of Indian performing arts tradition,which varies from season to season,” said Suresh Goel,director general,ICCR. Performances by Shubhada Varadkar (Odissi) and Madhumita Ray (Hindustani classical),among others,will also be a part of the two-day festival.

Interestingly,Raag Malhar — which has always been surrounded by folklore and legends — has inspired the music of mainstream Hindi cinema as well. For example,Naushad Ali used it in Mother India to herald the rainy season with the song Dukh bhare din beete re bhaiya.

Malhaar Festival will be held from July 8 to 10 at Kamani Auditorium,Copernicus Marg,6.30 pm onwards.