Legends of India in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi presented a rendition by Dr Nagraj Rao Havaldar last weekend. He is one of the most renowned exponents of Hindustani classical music. He sang a range of soulful songs and concluded the melodious evening with a Raag Durga Composition ‘Man Mohan Murli Wala’ and ‘Jo Bhaje Hari Ko Sada.’
As part of the rehabilitation of inmates of Asia’s largest prison complex, a unique initiative by ‘Legends of India,’ the event was based on music when it celebrated its fifth edition at Tihar Jail. The
<g data-gr-id="130">performance</g> included bhajan based on ragas.
On the <g data-gr-id="62">occasion</g> he <g data-gr-id="63">said</g> “An important aspect of music is that it is able to convey emotion and feeling. Music is not grammar. Where speech ends, music begins. Music has tremendous power.” In the audience, many swayed their heads and tapped their feet while some sat still — heads bowed and eyes shut — in deep thought. This performance provided a sense of solace and enabled them to relax and enjoy the music. The instruments play an important role in classical music. In the rendition, <g data-gr-id="59">flute</g> was played by Ronu Majumdar, sitar and cello by Shubhendra and Saskia Rao.
The consistent effort is to elevate the minds and soothe the spirits of the inmates, some of whom are hardened criminals, and bringing about their inner transformation. Dipayan Mazumdar, Chairman of Legends of India, on this <g data-gr-id="60">occasion</g> said that “taking initiatives is not difficult but implementing ideas for taking those initiatives on a high elevation takes a lot of hard work. Also, we would try to arrange music professionals for the ones who are interested in learning music.”
Earlier, Legends of India had organised Visual art classes for Tihar inmates where visual artists voluntarily participated <g data-gr-id="56">to reform through art</g>.
The third edition of Visual Arts Classes was held on August 19 led by visual artists Suvidha Mistry and <g data-gr-id="55" data-style="color: #3b3b3b; font-size: 11px; background-color: white;">Diti</g> Mistry. These paintings, by some of the inmates, were not only very good but expressed their emotions and ideas.