ASIA SCENE: From festival of lights, to a musical fiesta

You cannot be blamed for falling in love with euphoric melodies of Hindustani instruments after experiencing divine blessings and showers of religious and cultural and social illumination during the festival of lights.

The romance of ragas and untainted melodies composed within their realm usher in soul soothing and happy moments.

Navrang Fine Arts Foundation — NFAF — understands these romantic vibes well and while in pursuit of its aim to promote the heritage of culture through music and dance, has brought us a special festive gift — a musical Jugalbandi (music on equal footing). This soul enriching musical concert is set to grace our stage at Oshwal Auditorium on Sunday evening, November 25, 2018.

The soulful and musically romantic experience will feature a trio of musical messiahs of our time. Internationally renowned and respected flautist Pundit Ronu Majumdar, Sarod instrument wizard Pundit Debojyoti Bose and ace Tabla percussionist Pundit Yogesh Samsi have been signed up to entertain us together for the first time.

The flute maestro is from the traditional Maihar Gharana while the scintillating Sarodiya is a protégé of the Ustads of Senia Bangas house of classical Hindustani music. The luminary percussionist represents the Punjab Gharana. This fascinating Jugalbandi recital promises to weave a garden of melodies rarely experienced by music lovers in this part of the world. I understand from NFAF’s trustee Praful Varsani that the concert is certain to mesmerise our music lovers as the performers are a rare breed of accomplished artistes and known to recite melodies that blossom like flowers.

NFAF is a non-profit making organisation with an enviable record of enriching our cultural scene with music and dance performances that are out of ordinary and mesmeric. Its trustees are themselves well-known local performers and ardent music lovers. Not forgetting the committed and hardworking volunteers and back stage crew members who also adore culture and love traditional music and are passionate about contributing to the best of their ability to ensure the success of NFAF’s cultural service to our show goers.

Booking charts are open at Toy World, lower ground floor, Sarit Centre, and advance booking is strongly recommended.

Elsewhere, the Indian Women’s Association celebrated Diwali with a sumptuous grand luncheon at Arya Samaj recently. Lead by the chairperson, Mrs Kapil Dhingra, the association that has been on our social welfare scene for a number of years and is known and respected for its charitable work, entertained the attendees with a display of songs and dances. The guest of honour, Ms Nishita Bhaskar Pattni, donated generous jewellery gifts for the winners of the raffle draw.

Finally, not forgetting, this season is offering to tickle your funny bones. The Gujarati horror comedy, Bhoot Bungalow, is all set to be staged at the Oshwal Junior Academy from Friday 23 to Sunday 25, November 2018. The funny bone chiller is being presented by Vibgyor and Wacha Story Kenya.

Tickets are available at Onn the Way Supermarket in Parklands and Cuts and Shades Spa Saloon at Diamond Plaza Annex. Happy show-going, this November.

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