One of the most versatile exponents of the Delhi Gharana, Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan opened the second evening of the Delhi Classical Music Festival on October 18, followed by a soul-stirring performance by legendary violinist Dr N Rajam.
Organized by the Department of Art, Culture & Languages, Govt. of Delhi and Sahitya Kala Parishad, the five-day festival is being held at the Kamani Auditorium. The event is hosting a series of exponents of different classical music traditions – vocalists, sitar players, veena vadaks, violanists to santoor maestros – all the one stage.
The ‘Khalifa’ or Custodian of the Delhi Gharana and an active promoter of the Hazrat Amir Khusrau tradition of Indian music, Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan is known worldwide for the versatility of his vocal expression. On the other hand, Dr N Rajam is a veteran violinist who is the pioneer of the revolutionary Gayaki Ang.
“Hindustani classical music has a rich repertoire of traditions and gharanas, each of which has contributed a unique style and tributary to the country’s musical culture. Over the centuries, our classical music has enriched itself by incorporating different traditions and by intermingling of regional as well as international subtexts. Indian classical music is a true representative of our rich identity and the Delhi Classical Music Festival is a wonderful representation of this richness,” said Pt Jasraj who had opened the first evening of the festival on October 17. “Contrary to popular perception, our classical music is not losing out to the modern pop culture. This is validated when we see bright young artists eager to master the art and spread it around the world. Events like the Delhi Classical Music help expand the reach of our young virtuosos and encourage more young musical talents to take up the art. It is a great pleasure to perform before Delhi’s discerning audience,” said Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, the Grammy award winning player of the Mohan Veena.
Kalpini Komkali, a talented vocalist who is the daughter of the legendary Pandit Kumar Gandharva performed on the third day of the festival, followed by the Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.
The fourth evening on October 20 witnessed the performances by vocalist duo – Ustad Mazhar Ali Khan & Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan – and Flautist Pt Ronu Majumdar, who is one of the finest flute players of his generation.
Ustad Rashid Khan, an exponent of the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana, will open the today’s evening of the festival, which will draw to a close with the performance of Santoor maestro Pt Satish Vyas.
Gharana, will open the today’s evening of the festival, which will draw to a close with the performance of Santoor maestro Pt Satish Vyas.