Stage is set for pan-Indian musical extravaganza

The Bharat Sangeet Utsav 2016 features some of the biggest names from the Indian music field including veterans, young talents and never-before seen combinations, who will present traditional carnatic concerts, jugal bandhis, nrithya kutcheries and fusion performances. Carnatica’s founder and managing trustee, musician KN Shashikiran, who conceptualised and curated the festival, says, “The festival, which begins on November 2, is a curtain raiser to the December music festival. It is unique as it serves as a platform for young talent in particular, to showcase their skills and also learn from industry legends. Also, a great deal of focus and research has gone into the programming and packaging of content to suit contemporary and traditional sensibilities.” 

This year’s festival will commence with a silent prayer for global peace and the martyrs of the Indian army. The inaugural concert titled, Glory of Bharat Sangeet, will feature Padma Bhushan awardee Sudha Raghunathan and Anil Srinivasan along with 200 children. “The proceeds of the inauguration will be used to support blind children. Also, besides the musical extravaganza, special cash awards will be presented to music lovers for guessing the right raga, writing a good concert review and so on,” adds Shashikiran. The festival will also feature unique thematic concerts by leading artistes such as Padma Shri awardee Aruna Sairam and Ronu Mazumdar titled, Voice and the Wind. Popular playback and carnatic vocalist P Unnikrishnan will present Mylapore to Kodambakkam, a blend of carnatic, film music and other genres, featuring Saindhavi Prakash, RP Shravan and Uttara Unnikrishnan. 

Popular singer duo, the Priya Sisters, will present Sringaram, romance through music, with nrithya kutcheri featuring three senior dancers Bragha Bessell, Gopika Varma and Shailaja, performing different styles. The last concert of the festival will be dedicated to the Swachh Bharat campaign.