Teamwork Arts, a pioneering entertainment company, renowned for curating innovative and experiential events in association with 'The Raag Mantra Music Foundation' is organising 'The Raag Mantra Festival' – bringing the best of Indian classical music to iconic heritage venues across India.
On December 9, under Delhi's architectural landmark - the Qutb Minar, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ustad Rashid Khan, and Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan will take the stage for a concert which has been twenty years in the making.
Set against the backdrop of the Qutb Minar, this unforgettable musical night is the first in series of concerts showcasing Indian classical music against scenic heritage venues across India.
Commenting on this initiative, Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts, said, "Our musical legacy has survived due to patrons and speaking as a serious music enthusiast, I am eagerly looking forward to a magical night created by these three maestros. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the discerning audience of Delhi for giving us the strength and support to initiate new projects time and time again."
Indian classical music is timeless, ethereal and steeped in history and legend. It is the embodiment of India's cultural legacy and takes one back to durbar evenings in Mughal courts when musicians would serenade royalty and the aristocracy. 'The Raag Mantra Music Festival' seeks to recreate the magic of those evenings by bringing stellar Indian classical musicians to venues synonymous with India's heritage.
Ustad Zakir Hussain, one of the performers for the evening, is a classical tabla virtuoso who plays with uncanny intuition and masterful improvisational dexterity, rooted in formidable knowledge and study. He is a Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee.
Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan on the other hand is a classical sitar player and member of the illustrious Etawah gharana. He also claims roots in the Imdadkhani gharana which is credited with the development of the surbahar as well as structural changes to the sitar itself. He is Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee.
And lastly, Ustad Rashid Khan is a Hindustani classical vocalist who practices Rampur-Sahaswan gayaki, which is closely related to the Gwalior gharana. He has recorded film scores, performed on several albums and has worked with AR Rahman and Shankar Ehsan Loy. He is a Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee.