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Dazzling Performances Enthrall Audiences at Virasat Art and Heritage Festival 2023
During the Virasat event, attendees were captivated by Sunanda Sharma’s enchanting performances of Thumri, Chaiti, Kajri, and Dadra.
Dehradun, November 2, 2023 – The seventh day of the Virasat Art and Heritage Festival 2023 commenced with Virasat Sadhana, a platform designed to showcase the remarkable talents of schoolchildren. This festival has become a vital opportunity for budding artists to exhibit their skills. Today’s program featured a captivating array of classical dance performances by young students representing 17 different schools. Notable participants included Sajpreet Kaur Kalra from Graphic Era University, Harsita Aggarwal from Natyarambh, Kesar Kapil from Aryan School, Mrigana Nautiyal from Doon Defense International School, and Barthwal from Doon Blossoms School, all presenting the mesmerizing art of Bharatanatyam.
The talent continued to shine with performances from Vishal Singh of Shri Hans Institute of Management and Technology, Deepanshi Bhatt, Tarsh Sethi, Hemant Kantha from Ashima Dance and Arts Academy, Ayushi Chhetri from Jhankar Nritya Vatika, Divisha from St. Tara Academy, Muskaan Aggarwal, Yogesh Raghav, and Deepak from Madhukar Kala Sansthan. Bhatt, Tejaswani from Hill Queen Public School, Devanshi Rana from Rajhans Public School, Divyana Kothiyal from Eddu Villa Institute, Ritika Gulati from Government College for Girls Patiala, Priyanka Badola from SGRR Public School Balawala, Khushi Kulhan, and Vinhil from SGRR Public School Sahastradhara Road, along with Ekakshi Chauhan from Public School, who presented the captivating art of Kathak. The participants were honoured with certificates presented by Shri Ghanshyam ji.
The cultural program of the day was inaugurated by Shri Anand Bardhan, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand, who, along with REACH Heritage General Secretary Shri R.K. Singh and other esteemed members, lit the ceremonial lamp.
The inaugural presentation of the cultural program featured the eminent sitar virtuoso, Subhendra Rao ji, who skillfully graced the audience with exquisite compositions in Raga Hemant and Raga Peelu. Subhendra ji concluded his spellbinding performance with Raga Jogeshwari, a harmonious amalgamation of Raga Jog and Raga Rajeshri, thoughtfully composed by the revered Pt. Ravi Shankar ji.
A disciple of the legendary Ravi Shankarji, Shri Subhendra Rao has garnered acclaim from critics and connoisseurs worldwide, carrying forward the rich tradition of his teacher. He is known not only as a classical musician but also as a versatile collaborator, having worked with musicians from diverse genres across the globe. His illustrious career includes performances at esteemed venues such as the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Broadway, Sydney Opera House, National Arts Festival, Theater de la Ville, Dover Lane Music Conference, and St. Xavier’s College Ahmedabad. His journey into the world of music began in Mysore, where he displayed remarkable talent from an early age, nurtured by his father, N.R. Rama Rao, a close disciple of Ravi Shankarji, and his mother, Nagaratna, a trained Saraswati Veena player. Shri Subhendra Rao’s extensive experience includes assisting Ravi Shankar Ji in solo concerts and orchestras and performing with him on numerous occasions. He even graced the stage in Russia with the orchestra ‘Live in the Kremlin,’ an event that was later released as a CD. Shri Subhendra Rao’s global footprint extends to his tours in the UK and India with the production ‘Ghanshyam’ in 1989 and 1990.
Since his debut solo concert in Bangalore in 1987, Shri Subhendra Rao has established himself as one of the leading instrumentalists of his generation. His performances have graced renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall and Broadway in New York, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, Walker Arts Center in Minneapolis, Des Moines Arts Center, and the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Hawaii. He has taken center stage at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, Theater de la Ville in Paris, Guernsey England Festival, National Arts Festival in South Africa, Fajr International Music Festival in Tehran, and the Esplanade in Singapore, among others. In India, Shri Subhendra Rao has left an indelible mark on major music festivals, including the Dover Lane Music Conference, ITC Music Conference in Kolkata, Baba Harballabh Sangeet Mahasabha in Jalandhar, Shankarlal Mahotsav, Gunidas Sammelan in New Delhi, T.J.Gya Mahotsav in Ahmedabad, and Vasanthabhaba Mahotsav in Bangalore.
His musical prowess has earned him ‘Grade A’ status on All India Radio, and he is recognized as an artist and guru by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Shri Subhendra Rao has also shared his expertise as a guest teacher at leading universities around the world, offering enlightening ‘lecture-demonstrations’ on Indian music. He is a distinguished empaneled Guru of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and his rich repertoire includes compositions such as “Yatra,” “Laal Phool,” “Unity of Faiths,” “Pot,” “Jab Bhagwan Milte Hai,” and “From Mandir to Theatre.” He has made numerous appearances on national television, presenting his musical artistry.
The second segment of the cultural program showcased the remarkable Indian classical singing talents of Sunanda Sharma. Sunanda commenced her recital with the evocative Chhota Khayal, followed by the soulful rendition of the Bada Khayal. In this captivating performance, she introduced the enchanting Bandish in Raga Purvi, followed by a melodious presentation of Raga Tappa, featuring the poignant composition, “Satve Jani Yaar…”. Her next offering was a Thumri in the enchanting Raga Khamaj, enchanting the audience with the emotive “Thadhe Raho Banke Shayam…”. She concluded her mesmerizing performance with a traditional Dadra composition, leaving the audience enthralled. Sunanda Sharma was accompanied by the skilled musicians Mithilesh Jha on tabla, Paromita Mukherjee on harmonium, and Nitin Sharma and Amit Raturi on tanpura.
Her journey took an extraordinary turn when the renowned singer Girija Devi witnessed her exceptional skills at the Hariballab Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar and took her under her guidance. Over the next nine years, Guru Girija Devi nurtured Sunanda Sharma into a versatile artist, imparting a perfect blend of Shastra and Bhava Paksha in her singing. Girija Devi recognized that Sunanda ji’s legacy would be carried forward through her performances of Thumri, Chaiti, and Kajri, as she exhibited remarkable control over her taans.
During her time in Banaras and Kolkata, Sunanda ji sought guidance from luminaries such as Pandit Kishan Maharaj and Ustad Bismillah Khan, further enriching her artistry. While excelling in Khayal, Tappa, Thumri, Dadra, and Chaiti, her repertoire extends to encompass Punjabi and Himachali folk music, as well as various devotional styles. Sunanda ji’s collaborative spirit shone through in her jugalbandi performances alongside sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and the renowned Kathak dancer Shaswati Sen.
Her musical journey has graced prestigious festivals in India, including the Thumri Mahotsav in New Delhi and Mumbai. Beyond India, she has enthralled audiences worldwide, participating in the World Music Festival in Germany and twice in Belgium, and offering captivating performances in the UK, USA, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden. Her solo albums, namely “Dharohar,” “Swar Sanchay,” and “Sur Ganga,” reflect her profound musical depth.
Shubh ji, the tabla player in this extraordinary ensemble, was born into a family deeply entrenched in the world of music. He is the grandson of tabla maestro Shri Kishan Maharaj, and his father, Mr. Vijay Shankar, is a renowned Kathak dancer. Shubh inherited a rich musical legacy from both sides of his family. His musical journey commenced at a tender age under the guidance of his maternal grandfather, Pandit Kishan Maharaj. Shubh embarked on a traditional path following the family legacy of Shri Kanthe Maharaj.
At the age of 12, in the year 2000, he made his debut tabla solo performance, signaling the emergence of a promising tabla player. Subsequently, he toured across India, sharing the stage with luminaries like Padma Vibhushan Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. His tabla performances have graced prestigious stages such as Saptak (Ahmedabad), Sankat Mochan Mahotsav (Varanasi), Ganga Mahotsav (Varanasi), Baba Hariballab Sangeet Mahasabha (Jalandhar), Spike Mackey (Kolkata), and Bhatkhande Sangeet Mahavidyalaya (Lucknow).
Running from October 27 to November 10, 2023, the Virasat Art and Heritage Festival is a cultural extravaganza that offers a unique platform for people to immerse themselves in the world of art, culture, and music. The festival invites renowned masters of classical music and dance to showcase their talents. Attendees can explore a crafts village, savor diverse cuisines, engage with an art fair, revel in folk music, enjoy Bollywood-style performances, and embark on heritage walks, among other enriching experiences. The festival serves as a valuable opportunity for people across the country to deepen their understanding of India’s rich cultural heritage. Every facet of the festival, from art exhibitions to musical performances, traditional cuisines, and heritage walks, resonates with the timeless values associated with India’s heritage.
Established in 1995 in Dehradun, REACH Heritage has been the driving force behind the Virasat Mahotsav in Dehradun. The organization’s sole mission is to preserve the artistic, cultural, and heritage values of India and share them with the world. The Heritage Festival has played a pivotal role in reviving fading rural arts that were on the brink of extinction due to a lack of visibility. It has championed the preservation of village traditions, music, dance, crafts, painting, sculpture, theater, storytelling, traditional cuisine, and more, bringing them into the modern era. Thanks to the Heritage Festival’s dedicated efforts, classical and contemporary arts are experiencing a renaissance and gaining the recognition they deserve.
Virasat 2023 promises to transport you on an unforgettable musical and cultural journey.
For more information, please contact Vikas Kumar – 8057409636.