Reviving India's lost traditions

In order to revive the interest in our country's traditional art forms, both musical and performing arts, and to rekindle its famed position amongst the younger generation, who are more exposed to western and Indian popular film music, the Uma Sharma School of Dance and Music (Bharatiya Sangeet Sadan) and Sri Ram Centre for Performing Arts with the help of HCL concerts, SRF Ltd., Modern School, Art Karat and Lemon Tree Hotels are organising 'Swami Haridas Sangeet Nritya Mahotsav' with some of the most exemplary artists of the present era.

"The old, classical style of presenting music to music-lovers was prevalent during the Mughal period and exemplified by the two great musical geniuses of India, the venerable saint-musician, poet and composer of Brindavan, Swami Handas and his illustrious disciple Mian Tansen – Baiju Bawra. And we, through this festival, are trying to keep alive and spread our musical heritage through a cultural 'renaissance' and resuscitation of the musical ethos by holding a festival of music, dance and vocal recitals (Dhrupads) in Delhi," says Padma Bhushan Kathak artist, Dr Uma Sharma.

The four-day festival will take place in the second week of January 2018, i.e., January 11-14 at the Shankar Lal Hall, Modern School, Barakhamba Road from 6:30 pm onwards.

Classical music and traditional Indian performing arts have lost their patrons in the true sense of the word and 'Swami Haridas-Tansen Sangeet-Nritya Mahotsav' is constantly, for the past 14 years, trying to encourage the legendary guru-shishya parampara in the 'mehfil-andaz' through its programmes.

At the festival, one can witness the most unique music and dance from the maestros of Indian classical industry. "We are happy to inform that the response is growing every year adding new 'converts' from the younger generation," said Dr Sharma.

On the first day of the festival, Dr Uma Sharma will welcome the audiences with a beautiful kathak performance. Sharma, the woman behind the 'Swami Haridas-Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsava' music festival enjoys mehfils and draws strength from the direct connection with the audience and artists. Following her will be Kaushiki Chakraborty's enchanting voice and Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia concluding the first day, with a soulful flute performance.

Friday, January 12, will see a total of three soothing performances by Ayaan Ali Bangash, playing Sarod, Pt. Vishwamohan Bhatt – Mohan Veena and Manganiyars from Rajasthan, and Pt. Chhannulal Mishra singing his heart out before the audience.

Third day of the music and dance festival will be a day full of music with legendary gurus performing on stage. Shubha Mudgal, a Padma shri awardee of the year 2000, who has been trained by some of the finest musicians and musicologists in India, will open the day for all music connoisseurs. Her performance will be followed by the legend in north Indian classical music, Pt. Shujaat Khan. He is the son and disciple of the great sitarist Ustad Vilayat Khan, and his grandfather, Ustad Inayat Khan, his great-grandfather, and his great-great-grandfather, were all leading artists of their respective generations. Ustad Aashish Khan (Sarod) and Bickram Ghosh will close the evening.

January 14, the last day of the festival will constitute two power-packed performances by Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar (Vocal) and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan on Sarod.