Segment: Choir

Date: 7th October

Artistes: Sonam Kalra

Venue: The Cathedral Church of the Redemption

Evening of Christian Spiritual Music

This first segment of the concert on 7th October would be Sonam Kalra, in accompany of pianist Alex Fernandes. Sonam Kalra is a vocalist whose skill spans both Western and Indian musical traditions. She has trained in Indian classical music under Shubha Mudgal and Sarathi Chatterjee and has also studied varied genres of Western music including classical opera and gospel under the noted tenor, Hur Chul Young and gospel singer Ashley Clement in Singapore.

This evening Sonam will perform a selection of gospel pieces. Her music is a joyous mix of everything she has learnt and her repertoire is composed of personal favorites- Classics like Joyful, Joyful and the eternally moving Amazing Grace, each of which holds a special meaning for her and she brings to them all a sensitivity that moves you.

Alex Fernandes is an accomplished pianist who has played with several international vocalists and instrumentalists over the last twenty five years. Alex is known for his agility on the piano and a unique style. He has numerous solo shows to his credit and has performed in prestigious music festivals all over the country.

Segment: Choir

Date: 4th October

Artistes: Capital City Minstrels & Mozart Children’s Choir

Venue: Sacred Heart Cathedral

The Capital City Minstrels in Concert for Peace

The Capital City Minstrels Choir (CCM), who performed last year in Europe, will sing again during the Delhi International Arts Festival 2009. CCM’s concerts, much anticipated in Delhi’s music calendar, include the Peace Concert to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.

CCM is Delhi’s best-known choir. Started in 1994, it is an independent and registered society for the promotion of international music. CCM’s repertoire of songs spans a wide range, from the earliest formally written choral music, the entire spectrum of western classical music, opera to ballads, madrigals, folk songs, Broadway, rock, jazz as well as Indian forms of music.

CCM has 3 annual seasons:

Spring/ Summer Performances are scheduled in April/ May

Autumn Performance presents the ” Concert For Peace” inspired by Gandhi Jayanti

Winter Performances celebrate the Christmas season with classical sacred music and much- loved carols

Even with this packed schedule, CCM has performed at special concerts. It pioneered Chamber Choirs, “A Night at the Opera” in collaboration with the Imperial Hotel and almost the entire chorus for Delhi’s first opera ” The Fakir of Benaras” consisted of CCM singers.

We are fortunate to have been directed by an exceptionally talented series of directors, from within India and from USA, Korea & presently Gabriella Boda Rechner from Hungary. The Directors have enriched CCM by bringing and sharing their own individual interpretations and rich talent with the choir.

In early 2008, CCM played host to the German choir that performed in Delhi. Last June CCM, under its conductor Ms. Gabriella Boda-Rechner, undertook a path-breaking tour of Hungary, Germany and France where in its colourful Indian dresses, it used Indian and western accompaniment and sang selections from Indian classical, Indian folk, English spiritual, Latin classical to European folk songs. The response from the audiences in palaces, castles, churches, embassies, conservatories and town halls was phenomenal and most often unprecedented.

GABRIELLA BODA RECHNER- CCM Choir Conductor

Gabriella has been CCM’s music director since 2006 when she moved to New Delhi. Born in Budapest (Hungary), Gabriella is a full time conductor of choirs and a music teacher with 25 years experience in Hungary, France, Morocco, China and now India.

She has won many awards: first prize in the Franz Lizst Musical Analysis Competition; Kodaly prize for the propagation of the Kodaly Method of Music Education; Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters for her service in the propagation of the French language and culture in Morocco and she is also an Honorary Professor of the Conservatory of China, Beijing.

Gabriella has trained young music teachers and choir masters within the framework of workshops and has also taken part in the production of operas. She currently directs several choirs in Delhi. CCM is honored to be directed and conducted by her and has also performed in Europe under her baton.

Segment: Choir

Date: 7th October

Artistes: Artistes Unlimited

Venue: The Cathedral church of Redemption

Time: 7 pm

This year Delhi International Arts Festival is also bringing another choir group, Artistes Unlimited, after opening up with the Capital City Minstrels at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Artistes Unlimited is an independent platform for Performing Arts. Established in July 2003 in a bid to create a collaborative space for artistes in Delhi, Artistes Unlimited has performed over 60 concerts, reaching out to an audience of 40,000.

From independent concerts that have featured an 88 strong vocal ensemble, an original AU musical to a 3-day AU music festival featuring Shubha Mudgal, Parikrama and Them Clones and a recently released AU original album featuring 46 artistes; AU has staged productions that have evolved to a higher level of innovation, music and showmanship each time.

Artistes Unlimited is constituted as a registered charitable trust with all associated tax implications. The trust embodies our philosophy of contributing tangibly to society. We regularly earmark a portion of our proceeds from various events for channeling towards the causes we support.

Segment: Sacred Music

Dates: 5th October

Venue: Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre

Time 7 p.m.

Artist: Aruna Sairam

South India’s most celebrated classical vocalist Aruna Sairam is now regarded as a music ambassador of India taking Indian music to the global arena. On Republic day January 26, 2009, she was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri.

Her appearances throughout the world include Carnegie Hall in New York, Le Theatre de la Ville in Paris, the Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco, and the Music Academy in Chennai. She has collaborated with internationally renowned artists including Dominique Vellard, the French master of Gregorian chant, and Christian Bollmann of Germany, as well as with A grade North Indian musicians.

She has also participated in several international festivals and series, including the Spirit of Fes, which toured the US in the fall of 2006; in this tour, she collaborated with eminent American musicians.

Sairam is one of the most renowned and beloved representatives of Carnatic vocal music – a style that is rooted in the devotional songs and music from the temples of South India. In her long concert career she has developed a distinctive style, which is based in tradition while remaining open to influences from other fields.

Her numerous recordings include the recent Divine Inspiration on the World Village/ Harmonia Mundi USA label. Ms Sairam has been featured on several albums. Of these, five have been produced and distributed in Europe, most of them in France.

She is doing yeoman service to India by unifying the different linguistic and regional cultures. She is an eminent cultural ambassador of our country, the world over.

Apart from her collaborative work with Dominique Vellard entitled “Sources”, Ms Sairam has released a very innovative album in Germany with musicians Christian Bollman and Michael Reimann entitled ” Aruna : Thousand Names of the Divine Mother”, containing sacred chants (from the well-known Lalitha Sahasranamam) layered with a panoply of sounds not traditionally associated with Indian Classical Music. This album too met with rave reviews and has been circulated very widely among musicians in Europe.

Sairam’s tone has been described to have a rich, vibrant timbre that though powerful, has the tantalizing capacity to seem intimate, as though she is singing for each individual seated in the audience.

She was born in Mumbai into a family with a deep love of music. Her mother, the singer Smt. Rajalakshmi Sethuraman, was her first teacher in the art of Carnatic music of South India. Her father, a music connoisseur, received the greatest musicians and dancers from northern and southern India in his home. It was in this propitious atmosphere, which was fundamental to the development of her art, that Ms. Sairam met Sangita Kalanidhi Smt. T. Brinda, who trained her in the style of her own mentor, the great Veena Dhanammal, one of the most outstanding figures in Carnatic music. Ms. Sairam also studied with Veena Vidwan Sri. K. S. Narayanaswamy.

She is the recipient of several major Indian classical music titles and awards, including the highly coveted Sangita Choodamani and Kalaimamani. Ms Sairam has been appointed by the Chief Minister of the Indian State of Tamil Nadu as adviser to the Department of Culture, Tamil Nadu, on Musical Education.

Sairam’s concerts play to packed houses, an occurrence that is rare for classical music. Each event is special, marked with rare poise and an equally moving emotive vibration that endears her to her audiences.

She has had the rare distinction of performing in venues such as Indian President’s official residence Rashtrapati Bhavan. She has also performed across the length and breadth of the country, bringing the richness of South Indian classical music to people from all walks of life.

Segment: Sacred Music

Dates: 5th October

Venue: Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre

Time 7 p.m.

Artist: Bhai Baldeep Singh (Gurbani in medieval Dhrupad style)

Bhai Baldeep Singh has descended from a long tradition of masters of the Gurbāni Kīrtan maryada, and today is the 13th generation exponent of this hallowed tradition. His pilgrimage began with intensive meditation on the classical shabad-ritaan taught to him by his granduncles, Bhai Gurcharan Singh and Bhai Avtar Singh, who themselves were savants of Gurbāni Kīrtan tradition.

The vast knowledge that they bequeathed to Bhai Baldeep Singh included masterpieces that were first composed by the Sikh Gurus themselves. From the highly distinguished and eminent Bhai Arjan Singh ‘Tarangar’, he learnt the system (silsila) of pakhawaj/mridang playing known as Amritsari Baaj. Today, Bhai Baldeep Singh is the prime exponent (khalifa) of this gharana of classical percussions of Punjab.

Youth Festival

6th-7th October

Amphitheatre, India Habitat Centre

7 pm

6th
Salil Bhatt & Ankit Bhatt / Satwik Veena & Sitar
Azeem Ahmed Alvi / Sitar
Richa Jain / Kathak

Meenu Thakur / Kuchipudi
S.U.N.A.I.N.A / Dance Choreography

7th
Mansi Prasad / Carnatic vocal
Rajat Prasanna & Sohail Sabri / Flute & Sarangi
Students of Smt. Kanaka Srinivasan / Bharatnatyam
Suryanarayan / Kuchipudi
V. Anuradha Singh / Kathak group

Segment: Youth

Dates: 6h October

Venue: Amphitheatre, India Habitat Centre

Time 7 p.m.

Artist: Richa Jain

A dedicated young Kathak dancer, Richa Jain started her formal training in Kathak dance at the tender age of three years under the guidance of her parents; Kathak exponents shri Ravi Jain, disciple of Padmashri Shambhu Maharaj & smt. Alaknanda Devi and smt Nalini Jain , disciple of Guru Sunder Prasad & Guru Kundan Lal Gangani.. She also received her initial vocal music training from Shri Ajit Kumar Mishra and is being currently trained by renowned Guru & exponent Shri A. Maheshwar Rao of Gwalior Gharana.

Besides being a graded Artist from Doordarshan and a Graded Artist from All India Radio in light music, Richa has given performances on Stage, Television and AIR. In her Kathak dance performances, Richa sings herself while dancing on “thumri”, “dadra”,” bhajans” etc.

She has been a part of various workshops and has conducted lecture demonstrations. She has also worked as an assistant choreographer under her Guru Shri Ravi Jain for various productions and telefilms.

Richa holds a masters in commerce, masters in Kathak dance & persuing her masters in Hindustani vocal music appearing from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya

Segment: Youth

Dates: 7th October

Venue: India Habitat Centre

Time: 7 p.m.

Name of the artist: Manasi Prasad

‘Living life to the fullest’ has always been Manasi Prasad’s motto, and as one of the rising stars among the new generation of Carnatic musicians, she has certainly exemplified this. Manasi was initiated into Carnatic classical vocal music and Bharatanatyam dance at the age of 5. Since then, she has been pursuing the arts with passion and dedication. Her gurus in music include her mother- Tara Prasad, Jahnavi Jayaprakash and Dr. K. Varadarangan. She has received advanced training from Vidwan R. K. Padmanabha. She also receives training from Suguna Purushothaman of Chennai.

As a performing artist for over 10 years now, Manasi has travelled extensively in her career. She has been featured in most of the prestigious venues of classical music at Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and other cities in India. She was invited to Germany, USA and Chile to give presentations on the Indian Arts at universities. She is an empanelled artist of the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations), and has also performed concerts in the US, Singapore, Middle East and Africa.

Numerous awards have come her way, including the prestigious Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from Government of India’s Sangeet Natak Akademi, an award from the Madras Music Academy, ‘Yuva Kalaakar Puraskar’ (Young Artist Award) from Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts, Mumbai and ‘Ananya Pratibhe'(Unique Talent) from Ananya, Bangalore. She has performed on the television and radio numerous times. Manasi has sung in over 10 music albums, many of which she has composed music for.

Segment: Youth

Dates: 7h October

Venue: Amphitheatre, India Habitat Centre

Time 7 p.m.

Artist: Rajat Prasanna

Born in the family of traditional legendary musicians of Benaras Gharana, Rajat was fortunate to have the right environment for his latent musical talents to blossom. Right from the tender age of six years, Rajat is being learning Indian Classical Music and groomed under the kind guidance of his grandfather late Pandit Raghunath Prasanna & father Shri Ravi Shankar Prasanna. The music heritage has imbibed in him a very keen sense of sur and taal (Musical notes & Rhythm), with the result; various exponents of Indian Classical Music have applauded his public performances in musical sittings. A daily practice session of minimum of four hours from last fourteen years had enabled him to grasp and master the intricacies and have finer qualities of Indian Classical Music and developing a style that was respectful of tradition, yet full of innovation on Flute.

The flute (Bansuri) is considered to be the most ancient and natural musical instrument. The idea of fashioning this instrument occurred while listening to the sweet notes generated by the blowing of wind through the holes carved on the bamboo sticks by pests & insects. For centuries together, the flute was the principal pastoral instrument. It was left to the genius of late Pandit Raghunath Prasanna & Pandit Pannalal Ghosh to elevate it to the status of a concert instrument.

Dates: 7th – 9th October

Artistes: 180 artistes

Venue: Multiple Venues

• 7^th October – Sri Ram Centre – 7 p.m.
• 8^th October – DLF Mall, Saket – 7 p.m.
• 9^th October – Jamia Millia Islamia – 4.30 p.m.

 

 

DIAF has an interesting three day Kashmir Festival at the multiple venues featuring 180 artistes, and reflecting the culture of all parts of the Jammu and Kashmir including the Kargil, Srinagar, Ladakh etc. It is a beautiful Folk arts Festival from the state which is often in news for all the wrong reasons, unfortunately.

 

This Festival reflecting the multi-cultural nature of Jammu & Kashmir is spread over three days from 7^th-9^th of October and would be a highlight programme of the Delhi International Arts Festival 2009. It includes elements of folk culture reflecting all regions and communities of the state.

The artistes from Kargil would be singing folk songs like Da Lhtongbyuru Lhtong, Shon Lhoo and Yar-Gyas. The first song is about the predicament of the girl of a minister who has been married to a distant village far away from her parental home. Shon Lhoo is a song essentially sung at the end of the harvest season in most of the villages around the Wakha Mulbekh belt of Kargil District. Sung by both males and females, the song reflects the contentment of the farmers after a good season’s harvest. The song, Yar-Gyas, reflects the heartfelt concern of the poet towards the diminishing culture ethos in lights of the modern era of science and technology and it is sung by both males and females. Here the poet requests the youth to know the worthiness of the indigenous products like local food, wool and leather.

Some of the performances to be staged are Kashmiri Dhamali Dance, Chabskyan dance, Music of Godri, Kashmiri Chakri, Dogri Punjabi Dance, Pahari Dance, Dogri Haran Dance, Kashmiri Bhand, Purgi Dance of Kargil, Dogri Kud Dance, Kashmiri Bachnagma and Dogri Chajjha Dance. Kashmiri Chakri is one of the most popular folk music played in the region played with the musical instruments like harmonium, rabab, sarangi and nout. Chakri was also used to tell stories like fairy tales or famous love stories “Yousuf-Zulaikha”, “Laila-Majnun”.

Some among these dances are Ladakhi dance forms namely Chabskyan, Jabro Dance and Bagston. Chabskyan dance is the heritage of Ladakhi kings and was presented only in the royal court only in the royal court with the drowning of democracy. Here the dancers perform carrying ‘Chabskyan’ or goblets of wine on their head. The artistes first place the goblets on the floor and then they sing a song in praise of kings and queens and the song, in particular, is in praise of the king Jamyang Padkar.

Jabro dance is a community dance of the nomadic people of Tibetan origin, living on the hills of the Changthang area of Ladakh. It is performed by men and women at all festive occasions. Jabro, which is essentially a tap dance, is very popular in the entire region.

Bagston is the traditional song and dance performed during the long proceedings of the wedding in the region. On any marriage, the singer (Nyopon) is traditionally engaged to lead his party (Nyopas) on the ceremony.

 

Segment: Sufi

Date: 10th October

Artistes: Hansraj Hans

Venue: Ashok Amphitheatre

Time: 7 pm

 

The Delhi International Arts Festival is presenting three prominent sufi singers so that the Delhi’s audience can have a treat of the sufi songs. Zila Khan, Hansraj Hans and Manpreet Akhtar have been lined up for brilliant performances on 9^th, 10^th and 11^th October.
Hans Raj Hans, father of Navraj Hans and Yugraj Hans, is a Punjabi singer born in a village called Shafipur near Jalandhar. He sings Punjabi Folk and Sufi music but has also sung in movies and released his own Indipop albums. He has worked alongside other renowned artists such as the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, as seen in the movie Kachhe Dhaage.

 

Early Childhood

Hans is a devotee of Ustad Puran Shahkoti Sahib, from whom he had learned to sing since his teenager years. Ustad Puran Shahkoti Sahib is a sufi singer and it was because of him Hans learned to sing in Sufiana style.

 

Singing

While Hans was studying in Guru Nanak University Punjab; he won top University singing award continuously for three years, of course, in Punjabi Folk Singing. Hans was also awarded Punjab State Singer Award by former chief minister of Punjab Capt. Amrinder Singh. Recently, Hans received the fourth highest civilian award of India Padam Shree Award for arts.Hans is famous for his long golden curly hair and his classical variations in singing. His popularity started touching the sky when he sang ‘Ni Vanjaaran Kuriey’. It was a culturally rich classical item and basically gave the taste of real Punjabi music to all Punjabis around the globe. A song written by famous Punjabi writer Mr. Jasvir Cheema ‘Mera Dil, Mera Dil…’was also a unique song and Hans refined it with his classical touch of ….’ray ray saa saa ray ray saa saa….’ first time in Punjabi folk songs history.

 

 

 

The Delhi International Arts Festival is presenting three prominent sufi singers so that the Delhi’s audience can have a treat of the sufi songs. Zila Khan, Hansraj Hans and Manpreet Akhtar have been lined up for brilliant performances on 9^th, 10^th and 11^th October.

 

Coming from a line of legendary musicians, Zila H Khan has successfully established herself in a mould that spring from and yet is independent from that of her celebrated father the legendary Sitar maestro Ustad Vilayat Khan. She is also the only female singer from the oldest school of Sitar and Surbahar – the Imdad Khani Gharana. She has given highly celebrated concerts and toured throughout the world.

 

ZHK (as she is affectionately called by her colleagues) is known for her perfect command over various styles of performance – be it fusion music, classical ragas, ghazals, Arabic and Persian songs, and so on. When she was asked to sing for Jazz Festival, she took another step towards a beautiful amalgam of east and west. She sang a western concerto in Arabic!! thus expanding her musical ability to even greater creative heights. She not only created a beautiful blend of fusion music, which has a different and enjoyable flavor but also added a literate value in entertainment in 2005 Giving it her unique style of melody enriched with literature, seeped in heritage and dramatically spunky, encasing her ‘Sufiyana style’ in the world of international music or Worldmusic as it is called today.

 

 

 

Segment: Sufi

Date: 9th October

Artistes: Manpreet Akhtar

Venue: Ashok Amphitheatre

Time: 7 pm

 

The Delhi International Arts Festival is presenting three prominent sufi singers so that the Delhi’s audience can have a treat of the sufi songs. Zila Khan, Hansraj Hans and Manpreet Akhtar have been lined up for brilliant performances on 9^th, 10^th and 11^th October.

 

9th October is a performance by Punjabi Sufi singer Manpreet Akhtar, hailed as the Abida Parveen of India. Manpreet is one of the few Punjabi singers who sings sufi songs.

This starry affair with the sufi singers will dazzle the night on ninth October. The singer is an experienced sufi singer and had won accolades of her achievements. The audience will enjoy three days of sheer sufi songs.

10th to 13th October
DLF Mall Vasant Kunj
5 pm on 10th & 11th
7pm on 12th & 13th

• 10th October
  • SARANGI FUNK: is a bold & innovative attempt to introduce and exhibit the untapped aspect of Sarangi.
  • SHANTI – (Sitar based Fusion Band / 9 members.) Shanti is a fusion band that has originated from Goa
  • MRIGYA – Delhi’s best known band that performs music sans frontiers, to rousing cheers from its audiences
• 11th October
  • IMPROMPTU: An international Jazz band – classical, opera, jazz, the blues, Broadway and popular music.
  • JAZZ JUNCTION – (LATIN jazz set up / 6 members. Jazz Junction. The band which carries the LATIN influences of Goa to another level.
• 12th October
  • M OCTAVE- Three member pop band popular among the youth circuit.
  • STATUS 4 is one of the leading bands of Goa that sings in different languages. Having a vast experience of over 20 years, Status 4 has created a niche for themselves.
• 13th October
  • SONAM KALRA- Solo
  • OZONE- Indian Classical musicians come together to form a band with a whiff of western tones.
  • MANTHAN- the Sufi Rock band

Impromptu

Segment:Bands Festival

Dates: 11^th October, 2009

Time:5 p.m.

Venue(s):DLF Malls

 

Impromptu

The music of the international jazz band is an eclectic mix of sound because of the different influence of music on the band members.

 

Reuben Israel has a wide vocal repertoire: classical, opera, jazz, the blues, Broadway and popular. His repertoire is predominantly in English. It includes songs in French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Hebrew. He has performed in musical shows and operas and various concerts in India, Sri Lanka, Germany and France.

 

Akane Ozawa has a degree in Music Education from the Tokyo Gakugei University (2001) and presently teaches music at the Japanese School, New Delhi. She started playing the piano at the age of four and has been involved with several Japanese chorus groups since the age of twelve – as a member of the chorus, as a soloist, as voice trainer, or as the conductor. She has also conducted a student wind orchestra and is an active member of a Japanese drumming group.

 

 

Jazz Junction

Segment: Bands Festival

Dates: 11^th October, 2009

Time: 5 p.m.

Venue(s): DLF Malls

 

Jazz Junction was formed in Goa in April 2004 by virtuoso Jazz bass player Colin D’Cruz. The band made its debut at the high profile fashion meets jazz show L’affaire Xtraordinaire in Panjim. Soon after that the band stormed through the ‘Down to Earth’ jazz festival at Campal and has since then, performed at some of the biggest live music events all over the country.

The band is formed with a unique ‘floating singers/soloists’ concept where a different singer and/or soloist is featured each time they perform. This gives the band a different sound at every performance. So far the band has featured some accomplished local as well as international jazz artistes and performs every Saturday night at the Orchid hotel in Mumbai.

 

Colin D’Cruz – Bass

Colin has been performing professionally for close to three decades now. The first ten years of his long and chequered career were spent on five star hotel resident band contracts, where he honed his music skills playing six nights a week with some of the best bands in the country at that time. Colin has performed and toured internationally with some of India’s most accomplished artistes like Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigaam, Shubha Mudgal and Remo Fernandes and International jazz legends like singer Roseanna Vitro and trumpet player Eddie Henderson. One of the highlights of his career was performing on the world renowned Hennessey XO smooth and mellow international jazz tour. Colin has been in and out of countless live music ensembles that helped him evolve into the prolific and accomplished artiste he is today. He recently turned music producer and has been recording some interesting music at his own state of the art studio in Goa.

 

Other Band Members

Yvonne Gonsalves – Vocals

Xavier Peres- Keyboards

Lester Godinho – Drums

 

 

Manthan

Segment: Bands Festival

Dates: 13^th October, 2009

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue(s): DLF Malls

A diversion from Rock, a twist from Jazz, a flick from Folk and a touch of class is the way we see towards and describe our music. Manthanhave a unique blend of various music cultures since we believe in experimenting and not categorizing music just to one stream or genre. Manthan creates music that appeals to one and all. As Manthan, we do not want to confine ourselves to one specific territory of music but to broaden our horizons. We find music as a state of mind and that’s how we define our music. It’s a source of unwinding then creating our unique identity as a group and as an individual. Music is an experiment and journey for Manthan and we have set out to be an original band and to bring up our brand of music, which would not be confined to barriers and languages. Manthan is not merely mixing western instruments with Indian but actually combining the two without tampering the feel and hurting the soul of it.
First of its kind in India, the band focuses on Indus Melodic Music. The band, which wants to stick to, its roots, reach out the masses and create a difference. Our music is not the regular rock or metal or grunge or may be psychedelic. Manthan focuses on a strong melody line and try to keep their music as simple as possible so that everyone and anyone can relate to it. Manthan is comfortable playing Hindi, Punjabi or even Urdu without any language bias, when it comes to pass the message we are trying to convey. Manthan’s entire focus is on the simplicity of music, as we say,
“Anyone can do complicated stuff but simple things are tough to do”. So much so that today, Manthan is being coined as the only genuine Sufi band in India by our listeners. Manthan, however, continues its quest to bring to the audience, the best they have to offer in the simplest manner possible.
The band came into existence on March 11th 2006. The founder members, Drummer and Percussionist Samrat Chatterjee played with bands like Saptrishi, Indian Leviets among others, Guitarist Ish Anand was with Hundred Octane.
THE MANTHAN LINE UP:
IMRAN KHAN – Vocals
ISH ANAND – Guitar
SAMRAT CHATTERJEE – Drums and Percussions
PUNEET – Keyboards
NIKHIL BAJAJ – Bass Guitar

 

 

Mrigya Band

Segment: Bands Festival

Dates: 10^th October, 2009

Time: 5 p.m.

Venue(s): DLF Malls

 

Over the years, Mrigya has blossomed into a fascinating contemporary group venturing to stretch the boundaries of music becoming theharbinger of a unique fusion band offering a rich blend of blues, funk, folk, Latino, Indian Classical and jazz. The band’s objective is to expand in all directions and to play music without boundaries. It perhaps best represents the coming together of various strains of music.

 

Sharat Chandra Srivastava (Violin, Vocals)

Sharat is one of the founding members and the driving force of the band and over the years, has been instrumental in leading the direction of the music of Mrigya. As the violin maestro, he is considered to be one of the best young violinists in the country. Owing allegience to the Senia Gharana, he has been extremely active in the performing circuit for over two decades.

 

Gyan Singh (Tabla, Dholak, Mridangam)

Gyan’s tabla playing reflects years of hardwork and dedication to his instrument under the tutelage of Pandit Suresh Talwalker. His contribution to the band goes beyond the technical abilities when he takes his tabla playing to a different level of versatility. Be it flamenco or jazz, Gyan fits the tabla as if it was meant for that genre of music. By the way, he has also played with ‘Parikrama’ for a decade or so prior to becoming a part of Mrigya.

 

Rajat Kakar (Drums)

Rajat can put any speed metal drummer to shame with his sheer power and speed. Incidentally, Rajat comes from a school of jazz rock fusion playing imbibed from his guru, Ranjit Barot. He too is one of the key members of the band and has worked his socks off to reach the level of drumming and percussion.

 

Sacchin Kapoor (Keyboards, vocals)

Sacchin, very interestingly comes from a pop-rock background, who has over the years evolved as a serious piano player. He has this huge musical ability to add some magic into any form of music, be it Jazz, Indian classical, funk or rock. His lush chordal work and tripping solos are something you should really lend your ears too.

 

Indraneel Hariharan (Bass, Vocals)

A huge fan of funk, Jazz and hip-hop, who has the tendency to jam with the tabalchi at the slightest excuse. Neel was exposed to Indian classical and Carnatic music at a very early age which helped him play odd time signatures with relative ease.

 

Karan Sharma (Guitars)

The newest member of the band Karan Sharma joined Mrigya over two years ago. He is a huge fan of rock, who effortlessly merges his playing style to suit any genre.

 

Sukriti Sen (Hindustani Vocals)

Sukriti is an Indian classical vocalist who has over the years lent her voice to countless jingles and classical performances. Sukriti adds her own interpretations of vocal techniques which adds magic to any composition.

She has performed across the world and is now a seasoned vocalist to boot. She also toured with Pete Lockett (the renowned percussionist) in India along with V. Selva Ganesh (Shakti & McLaughlin).

 

Ghulam Qadir Niyazi (Sufi Vocals)

Qadir Bhai, as he is affectionately known is the qawwal of the band; has a qawwali group of his own but he enjoys Sufi fusion equally.

 

 

Ozone Band

Segment: Bands Festival

Dates: 13^th October, 2009

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue(s): DLF Malls

The definition of fusion music Ozone is a fusion band based in New Delhi – India, which contain pure classical music from Indian culture and just a fragrance of western music in it. We borrow our name as ozone means O (our) ZONE (any encircling or belt like structure).

Since the group was formed, in 2007, ozone has steadily grown to become one of the most respected acts on the Indian music scene. Our sound is a mélange of the styles, moods and textures we have taken in from different cultures and different music systems of the world. Ozone is inspired by the famous band called ‘SHAKTI’.

The music of this band is deeply inspired by the famous band of living legends ‘SHAKTI ’. In our own way, they attempt to dissolve into the world they perceive, and discover music that resonates around us.

Many great musicians, especially in the Indian Classical arena, speak of the pursuit of that incredible moment during performance when the musician becomes the music and forgets his own identity.

In Ozone’s compositions you will find the mixture of ragas (from Indian classical traditional music) with combination of western music together.
Ozone played in many prestigious festivals in India as well in abroad like in karia music festival (Japan), Namastey India festival Tokyo (Japan). Etc

MEMBERS ARE
1. Azeem Ahmed (Sitar)
2. Danish Ali (Violin)
3. Fareed Hasan (Vocals)
4. Tridib Choudry (Guitar)
5. Sourabh (Bass Guitar)
6. Abhishek Pandit (Key Board and effects)
7. Hafeez Ahmed (Tabla)
8. Mohit (Drums)
9. Mohd Amjad Khan (Percussions)

 

 

Band: Sarangi Funk

Segment: Bands Festival

Dates: 10th October

Venue: DLF Malls

Time: 5 p.m.

“Sarangi Funk is a bold & innovative attempt to introduce and exhibit the untapped aspect of Sarangi. The band has a heady mix of Jazz, Folk, Western as well as other cross-cultural influences, where Sarangi gets funky and energised bringing out the vivacious and vibrant avatar of the instrument.

Gifted with unquestionable qualities of sound, tenor and innumerable variations Sarangi has exceptional adaptability to suit any genre of music. It covers the entire gamut of classical like Dhrupad, Dhammar, Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, Kajri, Chaiti, Tappa,Tirivat, Tarana, light classical e.g., Bhajan, Ghazal, folk songs, film songs. Of late Sarangi has even dared to venture into Jazz, contemporary and new age music and very emphatically made its mark to everybody’s astonishment and liking.

Sarangi is the only instrument that is most complete, closest to human voice and the only one that is played by the cuticles (the most sensitive part of the finger nails). Its virtuosity lies even in the fact that it is equally proficient as a solo and an accompanying instrument to vocal performers.

The myth that Sarangi is used just to emote musically sad tones, unfortunately has stuck to it. In fact this is just one of its aspects, which coincidentally has been exposed too much to the public’s ear as a result of which its ability to express moods of happiness, vibrant energy, music to dance etc has unfortunately never been exploited to the full.”
Shanti Band

Segment: Bands Festival

Dates: 10^th October, 2009

Time: 5 p.m.

Venue(s): DLF Malls

The word ‘Shanti’ means ‘peace’ in Sanskrit. A state of utter bliss, a beautiful painting, a splendid musical composition or fine sculptures are incomplete if they fail to instill a sense of perfect bliss in the connoisseur. Bliss is the ultimate goal of the universe; it is a moment of peace… a moment of Shanti. It is also a moment when diverse streams of music blend to form World Music comprising Hindustani Classical Music, Folk Music and Western Classical Music.

 

Shanti is a Fusion Band formed and composed by highly gifted musicians. It was formed with the sole intention of exploring musical boundaries of the world. The Band incorporates string instruments like sitar and percussion instruments like the tabla. Besides this it also brings to the fore the strains of saxophone, the magic of keyboards, the amazing rhythm of the acoustic drums, the lilting flute, vocal support, bass guitar and unique Goan percussion instrument – the “Ghumat”.

 

Band Members:

Yograj – Sitar

Vishnu – Keyboards

Mayuresh – Tabla

Irshad – Saxaphone

Sadik – Acoustic Drums

Sergei – Bass Guitar

 

Yograj
A young musicians Yograj hails from Goa and is the disciple of renowned Sitarist from Itwa Gharana Ustad Shahid Parvez. Under his able guidance Yograj blossomed into a matured and seasoned Sitarist. Yograj’s style is a perfect blend of gayaki and laykari and is his USP. Today, he is looked upon as a true representative of Itwa Gharana. He was born in the family of musicians. His grandmother Pirozbai was the disciple of legendary maestro of the Agra gharana Ustad Nanhe Khan.

 

 

Artist: Sonam Kalra

Segment: Bands Festival

Date: 13^th October

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: DLF Malls

 

Sonam Kalra, a student of the renowned classical singer Shubha Mudgal, has also studied varied genres of Western music including classical opera and gospel under the noted tenor, Hur Chul Young and gospel singer Ashley Clement in Singapore. She has recently performed to full houses in Delhi, at the India Habitat Centre, the India International Centre, The Epicentre in Gurgaon and The Orange Ball on the occasion of the Dutch National Day and at Live where her concerts have been a great success.

 

She has also done fund-raiser shows for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India, Ritinjali and the Salaam Balak Trust as well a fusion Concert for Peace at the Satya Sai Auditorium. She will be performing later this year at The Garden of Five Senses, Delhi, The Amphitheatre Neemrana and in Jaipur. Accompanying Sonam in this concert is Alex Fernandes, an accomplished pianist who has played with several international vocalists and instrumentalists over the last twenty five years. Alex is known for his agility on the piano and a unique style. He has numerous solo shows to his credit and has performed in prestigious music festivals all over the country.

 

Sonam Kalra will also be performing in the Choirs Section of the Delhi International Arts Festival on 7^th October, 6.30 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption.

 

 

Status 4

Segment: Bands Festival

Dates: 12^th October, 2009

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue(s): DLF Malls

 

If you want to listen to traditional Portuguese music where do you go? To the place where Status 4 is performing! Status 4 is one of the leading bands of South Goa. Having a vast experience of over 20 years in the Goan music industry, Status 4 has created a unique niche for themselves. Their specialization being the different languages they can perform in. Right from the local favorite Konkani to foreign languages like English, Portuguese, French and Spanish. They are recognized as the pioneers of Portuguese music in Goa so much so that they are an integral part of the Goan culture today.

 

Band Members

Dr. Allan Abreu – Keyboards

Abel Rodrigues – Bass

Richard Rodrigues – Rhythm

Glen Pinto – Drums

Sonia Shirsat – Vocals

 

SONIA SHIRSAT – is one of the most well-known musicians in Goa and the music fraternity. Known for her humble nature, Sonia also works as a lecturer at V. M Salgaoncar College of Law, Panjim, Goa. Her performance is a must for any event related to Portuguese music. She represents the FADO tradition in the sate. FADO stands deeply rooted in Goa especially among the people speaking Portuguese. Sonia Shirsat has even been sent to Portugal on Fundação Oriente scholarships to learn the Portuguese guitar and Fado singing. Get ready, you are in for a treat!

Segment: Choreography
Dates: 10th – 11th October; Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Epicentre, Gurgaon
Segment: Choreography
Dates: 10th – 11th October; Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Epicentre, Gurgaon

Priti Patel & Group

Aditi Mangaldas & Group

 

10^th Oct- Priti Patel & Group

11^th Oct- Aditi Mangaldas & Group

 

DIAF offers an interesting two day Choreographies at Epicentre, Gurgaon featuring Priti Patel and Group and Aditi Mangaldas with her group, well known artist personalities and famous all over the world for their choreographies. Most of the choreographies are a mixture of both traditional and contemporary work, and with live music.
The choreography proposed by Priti Patel for DIAF 2009 is based on vigorous Thang Ta Technique and the graceful Raas leela technique of the Manipuri Dance traditions called “The Throw of Dice”. It shows a new dimension of our lives on this Earth as though this world is a playground and we the players

It is choreography mainly based on ancient dance form with a modern mind to give it contemporary dimensions.

 

Aditi Mangaldas: Another exponent in choreography Aditi Mangaldas has had extensive training in the Indian classical dance form of kathak. Using the strength of this form she has attempted to carve out a contemporary vocabulary of her own.

She has performed in major cities of the world to critical acclaim and is regarded as one of the leading dancers in both the traditional and contemporary idiom. Besides solos, she has choreographed a number of group ensembles that have been both traditional and contemporary in nature. Her contemporary performances reflect the spirit of kathak and go beyond its form and content to create a new language. Each piece explores the past to create a new future. She studied under Smt. Kumudini Lakhia and Shri Birju Maharaj. She is the principal dancer and choreographer of the Drishtikon Dance Foundation – Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company.

Delhi International Arts Festival
3^rd -14^th October 2009

Theatre Festival 3rd & 4th October 7pm   India Islamic Cultural Centre 3rd October- ” Ek Mamuli Aadmi” by Asmita 4th October- “Katha Kahani” by Rang Saptak   Epicentre Gurgaon 3rd October- ” Khutoot-e-Ghalib” by Behroop 4th October- ” Zawal-e-Azeem” by Sansaptak

15 Minute Fringe Festival 3rd October 7pm Sri Ram Centre

Exhibition of “Young Polish Print – Ways of Imagination” 3rd– 14th October Mati Ghar, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Janpath   Inauguration at 6pm on 3rd October; 11am – 5 pm on all days

Akira Kurosawa Film Festival 3rd– 4th October Siri Fort III Inauguration at 3 pm on 3rd October. Key note address by award-winning film director, Priyadarshan followed by screening of “Rashomon”   Simultaneous Event

Artistic Voices from India and the Commonwealth Countries 4th-7th October Kamani Auditorium Inauguration 4th 6.30 pm India: “Vande Matram” featuring RK Singhajit Singh and Charu Sija Mathur / Manipuri Jayarama Rao & Vanashree Rao / Kuchipudi Evoor Rajendran Pillai / Kathakali Ranjana Gauhar / Odissi Jaya Prabha Menon / Mohiniattam Prathibha Prahlad / Bharatanatyam Aruna Sairam / Carnatic Vocal Sarathi Chatterjee / Hindustani Vocal Anita Singhvi / Ghazal & Sufi Artistes Unlimited / Western Music Choir Kalakaar Trust / Folk & Street Arts 5th October: 7 p.m. Sri Lanka: Dance performances by Chitrasena Dance Company from Sri Lanka 6th October: 7 p.m. – Australia: Classical Guitar by Grigoryan Brothers – Slava and Leonard, Australia’s foremost guitar duo 7th October: 7 p.m. – Malta: Concert by NAFRA ensemblethat blends the sound of traditional Maltese instruments, (especially the Maltese bagpipe: iz-Zaqq), playing them with the rigour of the classical.

Indian Classical Dance Festival 4th– 6th October 7 pm Sri Ram Centre 4th– Bimbavati Devi & Tanushree Das / Manipuri duet Urmila Satyanarayan / Bharatanatyam Solo Kalashram / Kathak group 5th– Vidha & Abhimanyu Lal / Kathak duet Vyjayanthi Kashi / Kuchipudi Roja Kanan, Priya Murle & N. Shreekant & Group / Bharathi in Bhartatham- Bharatnatyam Group) 6th– Mandakini Trivedi & Miti Desai / Mohiniattam duet Dr. Malabika Mitra / Kathak Orissa Dance Akademi / Odissi Group

Choirs 4th October & 7th October Sacred Heart Cathedral & The Cathedral Church of the Redemption   4th– 7.30 pm “Capital City Minstrels & Mozart Children’s Choir” 7th– 7 pm “Evening of Christian Spiritual Music” Sonam Kalra (Soloist) & Artistes Unlimited Choir

An Open House tour of the National Archives for school children 5th– 9th October National Archives, Janpath 9:30 am

Sacred Music5th OctoberStein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre 7 pm Aruna Sairam -“A Sacred Journey Through India: Compositions of Different Bhakti Poets” Bhai Baldeep Singh – “Gurbani in the Medieval Dhrupad Style”

Western Classical Music 6th October Auditorium of the Baha’I’ House of Worship 7pm

Youth Festival 6th-7th October Amphitheatre, India Habitat Centre 7 pm 6th – Salil Bhatt & Ankit Bhatt / Satwik Veena & Sitar Azeem Ahmed Alvi / Sitar Richa Jain / Kathak Meenu Thakur / Kuchipudi S.U.N.A.I.N.A / Dance Choreography   7th – Mansi Prasad / Carnatic vocal Rajat Prasanna & Sohail Sabri / Flute & Sarangi Students of Smt. Kanaka Srinivasan / Bharatnatyam Suryanarayan / Kuchipudi Anuradha Singh / Kathak group

Aswan Folklore Troupe from Egypt 7th OctoberJamia Millia Islamia 4.30 pm Simultaneous Event

“All of Us” – Photography exhibition from Australia 7th October onwards National Museum Programme subject to confirmation

Folk Dances from India 7th– 9th 7th DLF PLACE , Saket 7pm 8th Crafts Museum, Bhairon Marg, Pragati Maidan, 4pm 9th DLF PLACE , Saket 7pm

The Jammu & Kashmir Festival 7th-9th October 7th Sri Ram Centre 7pm 8th DLF PLACE , Saket 7pm 9th Jamia Millia Islamia

Contemporary Indian Art Exhibition curated by Naresh Kapuria 8th October onwards Art Junction, The Lalit 11am – 8pm

Indian Classical Music Amphitheatre, India Habitat Centre 8th-10th October 7pm 8th – Smt. Sumitra Guha / Hindustani Vocal Vishwamohan Bhat & Mysore M. Manjunath / Mohan Veena – Violin duet 9th – Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar / Hindustani Dhrupad Raghuraman, Shubhendra Rao & Saskia Rao Haas / Flute, Sitar & Cello trio 10th – O.S. Arun / Carnatic Vocal Ustad Hashmat Ali Khan & Akram Khan, Tiruvarur Bhakthavathsalam & Sairam Sundaram / Tabla & Mridangam quartet

Contemporary Theatre Festival 8th-11th October Sri Ram Centre 6.30pm   8th– “Enixar Bhromoranga” (Assamese) presented by Seagull Theatre Assam   9th – Kao-Kei (The Bull & Tiger- Moirang Parva) (Manipuri) presented by The Imphal Theatre, Manipur   10th – “Ratnakar Aadi” (Assamese) presented by Sibsagar Natya Samaj, Assam   11th- “Nepatthya Raag” (Hindi) presented by Kshitij, Delhi

Sufi Festival 9th-11th October Ashok Amphitheatre, Ashok Hotel 7pm 9th Manpreet Akhtar 10th Hans Raj Hans 11th Zila Khan

“Words and the World” – Literary Event 10th October The Park Hotel 7pm

DIAF Heritage Festival In exclusive association with Times of India 10th, 11th & 14th 7.30pm   10th– 15th August Park, Red Fort – Sonu Nigam 11th– Town Hall, Chandni Chowk – Ghazals by Talat Aziz & Wadali Brothers 14th – Purana Qila- Hariharan

Bands Festival 10th – 13th October DLF PROMENADE , Vasant Kunj 5 pm on 10th & 11th 7pm on 12th & 13th   10th October SARANGI FUNK: is a bold & innovative attempt to introduce and exhibit the untapped aspect of Sarangi. SHANTI – (Sitar based Fusion Band / 9 members.) Shanti is a fusion band that has originated from Goa MRIGYA – Delhi’s best known band that performs music sans frontiers, to rousing cheers from its audiences   11th October IMPROMPTU: An international Jazz band – classical, opera, jazz, the blues, Broadway and popular music. JAZZ JUNCTION – (LATIN jazz set up / 6 members. Jazz Junction. The band which carries the LATIN influences of Goa to another level.   12th October M OCTAVE- Three member pop band popular among the youth circuit. STATUS 4 is one of the leading bands of Goa that sings in different languages. Having a vast experience of over 20 years, Status 4 has created a niche for themselves.   13th October SONAM KALRA- Solo OZONE- Indian Classical musicians come together to form a band with a whiff of western tones. MANTHAN- the Sufi Rock band

Choreography Festival 10th – 11th October Epicentre, Gurgaon 7.00pm 10th – Anjika Centre for Manipuri Dance & Movement Therapy Choreographer: Priti Patel 11th – Drishtikon Dance Foundation Choreographer: Aditi Mangaldas & group

Canadian Sports Film Festival 10th – 12th October Siri Fort Auditorium II & III   10th – Inauguration by the High Commissioner of Canada H.E. Joseph Caron at 6.45pm followed by screening of “Men with Brooms”

Bimal Roy Centenary Film Festival 10th -14th October Siri Fort Auditorium II   10th – Inauguration at 11 am followed by screening of “Bandini”

Children’s Film Festival by Walt Disney 12th – 14th October Siri Fort II 9 am & 11.30 am

International Multimedia Performance 13th October Amaltas, India Habitat Centre 7.30pm “Cornucopia: A Vision of Gaia” by Canadian dancer Anne-Marie Gaston

Classical Western Music 14th October Kamani Auditorium 6.30pm Concert by Bertha Rojas, Guitarist from Paraguay