STRINGS N STEPS
FESTIVAL 2017
6th Edition of
an international event of Indian classical music & dance was held on 21 and
22 March 2017 in New Delhi
This time the
'Country in Focus' was Canada and featured performances by eminent artists from
Canada and India
The sixth
edition of the strings and steps festival organised by noted Kathak dancer
Sangeeta Majumder and Hawaiian guitar player Neel Ranjan Mukherjee got off to a
flying start in the Capital. 'Strings N Steps' will be considered among the top in terms of the artists
they invite to perform among few young organisations in Delhi of Indian
Classical Music & Dance.
The festival
was inaugurated by the famous Kathak duo Vidushi Nalini Kamalini, Chairperson
of Kathak Kendra. The program started with the flawless performance of
'Strings N Steps' in front of a packed audience. The First composition was
performed in Raag Jog and Taal Rupak. Neel Ranjan's Hawaiian guitar sings with
perfect tune and rhythm. His counterpart Kathak Dancer Sangeeta was very swift
and graceful at the same time. The audiences really enjoyed their jugalbandi.
Next composition was a tarana in Raag Chandrakosh composed by Pandit Debu
Chaudhuri. It was in teen-taal and everyone performed in full of energy.
"Performing and organising together are not an easy task", said
Sangeeta, "it is always the blessings of my mother, gurus and senior
artists who performed in the festival.
From the mouth
of eminent Hansaveena artist, Pandit Barun Pal, about the 'Strings N Steps'
presentation "it was indeed a great experience attending the 1st day of
the Festival of String and Steps on the 20th March at the Stein Auditorium. The
first item was so innovative, dynamic and full of energy. Neel Ranjan
Mukherjees musical rendering on slide Guitar, reciting Boles and Parans gave
Sangeeta Majumdar's dedicated Kathak dance a new and rich dimension .
Vocalist Zaki Ahmed did his job with all sincerity. Young Tabla player
Zuheb Ahamad Khan was very smart, aggressive and alert. Though there was not
much scope to expose, I personally enjoyed the tonal sense and accompanying
attitude of the young Pakhawaz player Bhanu Sisodia. Himanshu Dutta on Flute
was so musical and humble. He was an example of discipline and perfection and
truly utilised his scopes to create a serene atmosphere of Ragas. Six most
talented artistes constantly giving their best was something which demanded
little more time. Old Ragas like Jog, Chandrakaush in new bottle was the
appreciating thought of Neel Ranjan. However, was that short Bhairavi
composition really adds anything for music and Dance performance as a
whole? Sangeeta Mazumdar had a command on her performance; however, she
had to rush to give a complete dance item.
Pandit Dev
Bansraj, is an eminent vocalist, teacher, founder of Saaz O Awaaz, Canada. We
can add more with his name. He is an artist with a great fame in that part
of the world. His Chhap Tilak and Elaaj-e made the audience feel the perfect
love Shringarik and of course spiritual. It is truly said ''If you want to be a
good musician, become a good human being first." His peaceful attitude
took all the listeners to annunknown world of affection. Small things show
what a person he is made of. Dave Bansraj Jr. was a perfect accompanist with
his Tabla. Mudassir also skillfully played his sarangi with them.
Next artists
were Sitar Maestro Pandit Prateek Chaudhuri who is the son of Pt. Debu
Chaudhuri performed in his usual mood. Alaap was in Raag Shyam Kalyan followed
by Masitkhani Gat in Teentaal, madhyalaya Gat in Ektaal and Drut Gat in
Teentaal. Ustad Akram Khan who is one of most famous Tabla artist of the
country has his own charm in his playing. Audiences were mesmerised with his
singing tabla. The famous kathak exponent duo Vidushi Nalini-Kamalini, Living
legend Sitarist Pandit Debu Chaudhuri, Prof. Ravi Sharma (Eminent Sitarist)
were present as the distinguished Guests for the evening.
'Strings N
Steps' does allow all artistic influence or collaboration. Artists of various
shades, painters, writers, dramatists, poets are attached to them. "Arts'
greatness lies in taking them all together." On this note, the 'Strings N
Steps Global Award' were conferred to Eminent Poet Shri Amarendra Khatua,
Vidushi Saroja Vaidyanathan, Pt. Dev Bansraj, Vidushi Anupam Mahajan, Pt.
Prateek Chaudhuri and Gaurie Dwivedi.
Second day the
audience witnessed a beautiful lec-dem on Rasanubhuti by Vidushi (Prof). Anupam
Mahajan. Her performance was a perfect depiction of music. The music itself
seemed personified through the sitar. She also played some traditional bandish
by Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan. Next performance was by living legend Vidushi Saroja
Vaidyanathan who is an epitome of beauty. Her lecture demonstration was on
Ashtanayika which enthralled the audience even who were, till that time, was
not much acquainted with Indian Classical dance. The eight types of
heroines Vasakasajja, Virahotkanthita , Svadhinabhartruka, Kalahantarita, Khandita,
Vipralabdha, Proshitabhartruka, Abhisarika The concluding performance of the
evening was Odissi Dance Recital by Gaurie Dwivedi. It was a heart capturing
depiction of Devi Stuti. Among the audience there were children of an NGO HUHC
who enjoyed the whole program and they were invited to Strings N Steps Online
and Offline Academy at free of cost.
The whole event
was dedicated and presented to promote Indian Classical Music & Dance
around the world specially in Canada. Zaira Ann Ramkissoon, the Director of
'Saaz-O- Awaaz' (SOA), a very prestigious institution of Indian Classical Music
said about Indian music globally and how they are trying to make it flourish in
Canada. Indian music, when in India itself is being unattractive with the
influence of Bollywood or the different genre of western music, they are trying
to hold back and flourish this tradition from the Vedic Age. 'Strings N
Steps'(SNS)is now with its academy in Delhi and Kolkata in India has enrolled
many students both online & offline. They're giving platforms for
the children from different NGOs too. In future also SNS & SOA will work
together to promote Indian Classical Music & dance all around the world,
for all age groups and from grass-root level to cream-level of the society. The
second day distinguished guests were DG, ICCR, Shri Amarendra Khatua and Ustad
Iqbal Ahmed Khan,Khalifa of Dilli Gharana, an eminent vocalist. The two evening
of traditional arts which had been captivated where the legendary artists,
young artists, scholar-aesthete, elegant, articulate audiences were in perfect
energy.
