Introducing youngsters to classical Indian music
Dilli Durbar – biggest celebration of Indian classical music – saw some extremely scintillating and enthralling musical performances. With the aim to connect youth with our nation's age-old classical art-forms and cultures, the festival was organised by Dilli Gharana in collaboration with Sursagar Society, Ameer Khusro Institute of Music and DG Productions, at IGNCA.
The two-day festival turned out to be the most melodious musical extravaganza ever in the city, bringing together the greatest exponents of Indian Classical Arts on one platform to present a grand Indian classical cultural spectacle.
Speaking on the occasion, Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan, Founder of Dilli Durbar 2019 and the Doyen (or Khalifa) of Dilli Gharana said, "I had the great privilege to learn music under the tutelage of maestros of Indian classical arts. They not only taught us the art but also imbibed in us the great culture and traditions of India. I being the flag-bearer of Dilli Gharana feel that it is my responsibility to pass on my learnings to the younger generation, to refine their sensibilities, and to cultivate their taste for these finer things in life."
Dilli Durbar 2019 was inaugurated by Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan, in the presence of Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar, Dhrupad Maestro, along with Tourism Secretary, Delhi Government, Manisha Saxena; Additional Director General, Union Ministry of Tourism, Meenakshi Sharma; Radha S Chauhan; Joint Secretary (Union Ministry of Health) Bharti Sharma Das; Sidharth Luthra, Senior Supreme Court Lawyer; and Ayesha Mishra, Senior Supreme Court Advocate.
Inauguration was followed by a panel discussion on 'A Homeless Art form' with Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar, Meenakshi Sharma (IA&AS), Abhinandita Mathur (Advisor to Delhi Government); a discussion of Bollywood music personality Kailash Kher with Babu Haabi; a session on 'The Age Old Guru Shishya Parampara' with Pandit Birju Maharaj, Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan; Hindustani classical music vocal performance by Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan; Sitar recital by Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan and much more.
While these performances were being staged, parallel venues saw performances by Roohani Sisters – a Sufi Jugalbandi and a unique amalgamation of ghazal and daastangoi by Syed Sahil Agha and Janab Imran Khan.
Apart from this, Dilli Durbar also featured Dilli 6 Food Festival, curated by Purani Dilli Walon ki Batein; films and documentaries screenings; an exhibition of musical instruments as well a culture bazaar showcasing merchandise which brings a piece of culture back to one's home.
Vusat Iqbal Khan, Co-Founder of Dilli Durbar 2019 and Managing Director of D G Productions stated, "The idea of Dilli Durbar originated from the fact that many youngsters in the country today are being fed a deadly cocktail of cacophony in the name of Music which is as far removed from true music as chalk is from cheese. It does not adhere to the basic tenets of music – whether Indian, Western nor any other. Hence, we wanted to reintroduce the young people of India once again with true Indian Music. We hope we will be able to at least make a small change with this initiative of ours."
