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DELHI
Akademi
Plan to Revive Traditional Instruments
-by
RM Nair
With a
view to reviving certain traditions of instrumental music which have
declined or are rare like sarangi, nagaswaram and pakhawaj, a concert
and a symposium were organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi
last week. This formed the second event of the Akademi's project called
Vadya Darshan which was launched in March, 2002.
A number
of eminent scholars, academicians and musicologists deliberated over
the role of musical instruments, their physical characteristics and
playing techniques. Performances by well-known practitioners of such
music were also presented over five evenings.
Last week's most notable event was the presentation of Gangashtakam
based on Adi Shankaracharya's work. It was produced, choreographed and
directed by three dancers - Anuradha Murali and Shilpa Sejpal from the
US, and Sandhya Muralidharan from Chennai. The programme, at Delhi's
Kamani Auditorium, was sponsored by Swaralaya, a local cultural organisation.
Gangashtakam is the story of India's legendary river Ganga, which is
believed
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Anuradha
Murali, Shilpa Sejpal and Sandhya Muralidharan performing Gangashtakam
in Delhi
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to have descended from the heavens to bless ancient king Sagara's 60,000
sons with salvation (moksha). They were turned to ashes by sage Kapila
whom they had disturbed when he was doing tapasya (penance) in a Himalayan
cave.
The dancers kept changing roles to represent different characters from
the mythological story, which included a few digressions.
-India
Overseas
June 27, 2002
Uska
Bachpan (His Childhood) (Go
To Top)
Uska Bachpan, a novel written many years ago, was dramatised by New
Delhi's National School of Drama Repertory Company last week.
Writer
KB Vaid draws the picture of a lower middle class family through the
eyes of Beeru, a teenaged boy, in the milieu of a small town in the
state of Punjab. Bickerings within the family, particularly as father,
a low-paid clerk, drinks a lot and gambles, he is unable to support
his four children and their mother.
Beeru can't buy books. He and his mother too are frequently
beaten up. Towards the end grandma dies and father attempts suicide.
-India
Overseas
June 27, 2002
DEHRA
DUN
Daggar
on a Dying Drupad (Go
To Top)
SPIC-MACAY,
which is the movement for awareness and appreciation of the classical
arts of India among the new generation, held its silver jubilee convention
in Dehra Dun, the Capital of Uttaranchal state.
Many veterans
of music and dance came together to present their recitals, both vocal
and instrumental. There was Fahimuddin Daggar, who is carrying on a
dying genre of classical music called Drupad which goes back thousands
of years in tradition. Daggar lamented the young people's misconceptions
about classical arts. They don't see any point in working hard or practising
music or dance for long hours. What's the return, they ask. They want
to do things which can be learnt quickly and become an easy source of
income and fame.
The programme
was well-attended.
-India
Overseas
July 12, 2002
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