New Year to begin on a musical note for Ahmedabadis

The New Year is starting with a musical note in Ahmedabad. Saptak, the school of music is holding its 20th Annual Music Festival from January 1. This 11-day festival promises to give Ahmedabadis a taste of the country's rich and varied music. Those expected this year are Shubha Mudgal, Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Girja Devi, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Kishori Amonkar, Pt. Jasraj, Rajan Sajan Misra, Allah Rakha Khan, Liaquat Ali Khan and a host of other music maestros.

Each one brings with them the entire musical heritage that bejewels the land of Tansen and Narsinh Mehta. Sitar, Tabla, Harmonium, Sarangi, Flute, Violin, Pakhawaj, Ghatam, Mohan Veena and vocals will create a musical legacy once again in the city.

The organisers have begun sending out invitations. "We have issued 2,000 invitations in which 30 per cent is for students, 20 per cent for artistes and the rest for patrons. Moreover, there will be no reservations and entry is on first-come basis as every year," informs Nandan Mehta, the managing trustee of Saptak.

Mehta also informs that Saptak will host new artistes, young but established artistes as well as veterans during the festival, bringing all to a common platform. "We have given equal importance to all kinds of classical music and have not given priority to any particular genre of classical music," he adds.

The festival is aimed at serving a three-fold objective. It proposes to serve as a source of education and inspiration for the students of Saptak and other institutions. It also showcases the talent of students to the culturally sensitive audience of the city and thirdly, it works at enhancing appreciation of the Indian classical music and propagate the cultural traditions of the country.

The performances promise to be absolutely fresh and no raagas will be repeated from the last year. "All the artistes will be performing new raagas which they may have worked upon during the year," informs the Saptak trustee.

The seating arrangements at the Kashiram Bhavan, behind L D Engineering College will remain the same as that of last year. "We will have baithak arrangements in the front while in the back, there will be chairs. The hall has a seating capacity of 2,200 people and once full, we will not permit any more," says Mehta.

The programme will begin at 8.30 pm sharp and no late entries will be entertained, adds the member.

Republished from Indian Express