Classical connection

The 22nd Sangeet Martand Ustad Chand Khan Music Festival is all set to take Delhiites on a classical treat. The festival will commence on March 3 - 4 at Kamani auditorium. The Sursagar Society of Delhi Gharana, spearheaded by the head or khalifa of the gharana, Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan, is celebrating its platinum jubilee. For more than seven decades now, Sursagar Society of Delhi Gharana has successfully held music festivals not only in Delhi but in other parts of India as well. The Society, which runs from the aptly named Mosiqui Manzil in Darya Ganj, takes particular pains to spread interest in Hindustani music among the youth of the country. 

This festival will feature some of the leading Hindustani classical vocal maestros to represent an opportunity for music lovers of the city to connect with the richly resonant art of music. This festival will also resonate a musical spirit and would definitely draw music connoisseurs from far and wide. 

Spurred by the success of the previous events, this celebration this year is intended of be greater than previous year. This year’s festival features some of the leading Hindustani classical vocal maestros, the organisation’s general secretary, Iqbal Ahmed Khan, knows how to move with the times.

The festival will be inaugurated by the Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Ministry of Culture. 

Launch of  Safal Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan Anthem composed by Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan will also take place at the event. Other eminent performers at the event include Shubha Mudgal, Rajan and Sajan Mishra and Ajoy Chakraborty.

The opening day of the festival will see performances by students of Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan presenting  Safal Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, recital by Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan and recital by Pandit Rajan and Pandit Sajan Misra. 

The next day of the festival will witness performances by young talent Vivek Prajapati, recital by Vidushi Shubha Mudgal, recital by Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty. 

Since 1986, an important part of Sursagar’s annual festival has been the conferment of the Ustad Chand Khan Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned artists for their outstanding contribution to art and culture. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award is being conferred on Kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj. Another notable project of the Society is its Amir Khusro Institute of Music, where free musical training is provided. Since the khalifa of the gharana is adept at a number of classical forms, including Ghazal, Thumri, Dadra, and others, the institute offers training in a range of forms.