Like the season of monsoon, there are a few cultural events that are much awaited in the city. And one of them is the annual Parampara Series by Natya Tarangini Performing Arts Centre. The 22 edition of this festival of dance and music will be a three-day celebration of Indian classical performing arts . Not just the young generation of artists but even the veterans will be performing at this event..
“This series celebrates our art, which is known all over the world. It’s because of Natya Sangeetam (dance and music) that Bharat (India) is known as the nectar of the East. Hum rahein ya nahi, humari parampara ko zinda rakhna zaruri hai; and to keep the tradition alive we need to introduce the younger generation to our traditions,” says Padma Bhushan Raja Reddy, Kuchipudi exponent.
On day one, Hindustani classical instrumentalist Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt will present ‘Desert Night’ along with his son Salil Bhatt, and Ustad Anwar Khan Manganiar and his son. “I have been part of the Parampara Series before, and this time, I thought of bringing along my son Salil, to justify the title of the program. The event highlights promotion of Indian traditional classical music, which Delhiites often look forward to. Since I have been promoting the versatile and rich folk music of Rajasthan of late, I will be performing with the ace Manganiars. So from kartal to tabla, there will be musical notes from all instruments,” says Grammy winner Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.
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{{/usCountry}}The opening day will also witness a performance by Kuchipudi virtuosos Raja Radha Reddy, Yamini Reddy and their pupils, who will together perform the choreography titled Surya Devo Namoh Namaha. Raja Reddy says, “This dance piece is conceptualised by my elder daughter Yamini Reddy; and we have become a part of it. It talks about the ancient Hindu religion, and the time when surya (Sun) came into existence. Sun is one of the nava grahas (nine planets), and it is because of Sun’s light that we all are surviving.”
On the second day, there will be a Bharatanatyam performance titled Sreeraama Pattabhisheka Bhangam (stopping of Sreeraama’s coronation) by Dhananjayans (the celebrated dancing couple of India) and their son Satyajit. A Carnatic vocal recital by Abhishek Raghuram will mesmerise the audiences, too.
And on the final day, Kathak exponent Uma Dogra, along with her disciples, will exhibit some unique aspects of Jaipur Gharana Kathak. “The choreographies I will be performing are all new. These will include a 20 minute piece on Ashtapadi from Jaydev’s Geet Govinda, and Krida — where girls on the stage will play a game and touch each other,” says Dogra, who is happy to perform in her hometown Delhi.
A befitting finale to this event will be a rendition of soulful notes by renowned Pt Rajan-Sajan Misra, who will transport Delhiites to the holy city of Banaras (Varanasi). Kaushalya Reddy, Kuchipudi exponent, and artistic director of Natya Tarangini says, “This event is [organised] to bridge the gap between the present generation and the maestros. It’s the maestros who know how to captivate the audience, and that is the reason why we bring the best of dance and music so that the rasiks can enjoy. It’s also our way of giving back to the society.”
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