Dhrupad vocal recitals along with Pakhawaj, Vichitra Veena and Surbahar performances to enthral audiences
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi (UPSNA), in collaboration with Shri Hanumat Vishwakala Sangeet Ashram, Pramodvan, Ayodhya, is set to organise a two-day Dhrupad Festival on January 19 and 20. The festival is being held to commemorate the death anniversary of Dr Ram Shankar Das, globally renowned as Swami Pagal Das, a legendary exponent of the Pakhawaj.
The event is being organised in line with the vision and directives of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to preserve endangered traditional instruments and to promote classical music among the masses. Under the guidance of Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh, several initiatives are being undertaken to safeguard India’s rich musical heritage. The Dhrupad Festival is being conducted under the leadership of UPSNA Chairman Prof Jayant Khot, Vice-Chairperson Vibha Singh, and Director Dr Shobhit Kumar Nahar.
On the first evening, January 19, the festival will commence with a Pakhawaj recital by Ayodhya-based artistes Vijay Ram Das, Anubhav Ram Das and Kaushiki Jha. This will be followed by a Dhrupad vocal performance by Prashant Nishant Malik from Prayagraj. The evening’s third segment will feature a Vichitra Veena recital by Krishna Chandra Gupta of Kannauj.
The second day, January 20, will begin with Pakhawaj performances by Ayodhya artistes Vaibhav Ram Das, Prapti Ningale, Vaibhav Ningale and Dev Prakash Dubey. In the next segment, renowned Delhi-based vocalist Brijbhushan Goswami will present Dhrupad गायन. The festival will conclude with a Surbahar recital by Ashwin Dalvi from Jaipur.
All performances will be held from 5 pm onwards at the premises of Shri Hanumat Vishwakala Sangeet Ashram, Pramodvan, Ayodhya. The two-day festival is expected to offer connoisseurs and music lovers a rare opportunity to experience the depth and grandeur of the ancient Dhrupad tradition, while also paying tribute to a stalwart of Indian classical percussion.
