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Delhi’s Bengal Association Presents the First World Music Concert – A Celebration of Global Cultures

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New Delhi : Music knows no boundaries, and this was once again demonstrated at the recent World Music Concert. The Bengal Association, with over 65 years of rich cultural heritage and a strong commitment to promoting the Bengali language, organized the 1st World Music Concert—an extraordinary event that showcased a fusion of global music traditions. The concert took place on November 15 and 16, 2024, at the iconic Meghdoot Amphitheatre in the heart of the National Capital.

This unique concert brings together an eclectic blend of national and international music, celebrating cultural diversity and harmony.

 

 

 

 

Prodip Ganguly, General Secretary of the Bengal Association said, “We believe, no culture can thrive in isolation—intermingling makes every culture richer. Harmony fosters peace, and coexistence ensures that all cultures prosper and grow together”.

 

 

 

 

“The World Music Concert featured performances from a variety of cultural traditions, offering a vibrant tapestry of sound and rhythm. It showcases the folk traditions of Bengal, the classical legacy of India, and the rich cultural expressions of West Asia and Africa. In addition, Western music integrated into the performances, making it a truly global experience that blends the ethnic with the universal.”

The performances showcased an exciting fusion of diverse musical styles, seamlessly blending both traditional and contemporary forms. They highlighted the unique legacies of each participating culture. The Kathak and Qawwali performances were beautifully harmonious, complementing musical expressions from various regions of India, including Bengali Baul songs and the powerful beats of the Dhak.

 

 

 

 

The two-day festival featured approximately 50 artists from India, Afghanistan, Congo, and Iran. The traditional lighting of the lamp was accompanied by the blowing of conches in the presence of Padmashree Shovna Narayan, flute maestro Pandit Rajendra Prasanna, West Bengal Resident Commissioner Ujjayini Dutta, and other dignitaries.

 

Some of the most celebrated artists and performers, including Vidushi Vaswati Misra (Kathak), Pandit Krishan Mohan Maharaj (Tabla), Dr. Subhadra Desai (Classical Dance), Shahid Sami Niyazi (Qawwali – Rampur), and Popular music bands such as Chaar Yaar and Neel Ranjan Mukherjee’s Instrumental Fusion. International acts featuring Iranian percussion and Kurdish Daf alongside Western music and fusion. The journey through the landscape of world Music started with traditional Dhaak Music and Baul songs from the plains of Bengal. On the occasion, The talented kids of the Ichchhe Bitan cultural group from Delhi sang the popular number of Salil Chowdhury’s ” Dhitang Dhitang bole” With Deepak Castelino was well appreciated by the viewers.

 

 

 

 

Nabanita Chatterjee, Subhashis Ghosh, Siddhartha Bhadury, and Saurasanta Biswas from Ichchhe Bitan proudly said that a few of our Kids of Ichchhe Bitan have the opportunity to perform alongside a versatile Indian musician, Sir Deepak Castelino who is also a member of the band Char Yaar, which has gained recognition both in India and internationally. Sir Deepak Castelino has given a special tribute to Salil Chowdhury on his 100 Birthday year’.

Then was an enchanting performance of kathak performed by Pandit Krishna Mohan Maharaja and his group.

Nextly, the spectators were treated to a syncretic performance in which the sounds of India, Afghanistan and Congo created a mesmerizing harmony. The evening of the first day was concluded by an instrumental performance by Neel Ranjan Mukherjee, Gauri Mishra and others that fused the tunes of various eminent musicians.

The start of the second day was heralded by an energetic performance of traditional percussion instruments of Iran by Sina Fakhroddin, accompanied by the soulful melodies of sarangi. The glory of the Hindustani classical traditions was put on full display with the graceful twirls of a kathak performance and the elaborate ragas of a vocal performance by Vidushi Bhaswati Mishra. Classical ragas were presented by Vidushi Subhadra Dessi. The audience was captivated by the threads across various musical traditions woven by the fusion Sufi troupe Chaar Yaar. The programme culminated with a presentation of Qawwali by the Niyazi brothers of Rampur. The performance reverberated with the spiritual exuberance of the Sufi tradition.

The Meghdoot Amphitheatre, with its stunning ambience, provided the perfect backdrop for this soulful musical journey.

The World Music Concert created a beautiful symphony of the sounds and ethos of musical traditions across the boundaries of language, culture and nationality. It has left all the spectators with a truly unforgettable experience, filling their hearts with the universal soul of music. 🍂 -Dilip Guha

 

Read More : Sasraya News Sunday’s Literature Special || Issue : 40 || 24 th November 2024

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Author: Sasraya News

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