Music in the Park

IT WAS in the summer of 2010 that members of city-based band Astitva composed an anthem for Delhi in a makeshift jam pad in Malviya Nagar before the Commonwealth Games. But it was only last year that the song was chosen as Delhi’s second official anthem by Chief Minister Sheila Dixit. On May 10,the anthem titled This is where I belong will open the fifth day of the Raag Rang Festival,which is being organised by Delhi government’s Department of Art Culture and Languages. The song will be followed by 60 minutes of chants and Sanskrit shlokas by the band. A week-long extravaganza,the festival aims to bring together diverse music forms on a common platform.

Besides Astitva,one of India’s oldest bands Euphoria will also take stage at the festival. The first day of the festival will open with a ghazal rendition by singer Naeem Ali,which will be followed by a qawwali session by Atique Husain Hyderbadi. While singer Shubha Mudgal will regale the audiences on the second day,Bhojpuri music will be the highlight of the third day with popular Bhojpuri singer Guddu Rangila. The finale will have Sindhi Ratan Award-winner singer Uma Lala take the stage with a host of bhajans.

Raag Rang will take play between May 6 and 12 at Central park,Connaught Place. Entry is free