Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 8 Apr: The Ninth Bhimsen Music Festival, organised by Kalashraya Cultural Organisation in Dehradun as a tribute to Bharat Ratna Bhimsen Joshi, concluded at Lychee Bagh here on 5 April after a two-day celebration of Indian classical music, Kathak dance and Sufi traditions, drawing an enthusiastic response from audiences.
The concluding evening featured a series of captivating performances, beginning with a Kathak recital by young artiste Aradhya Singh, followed by an accomplished presentation by noted Kathak dancer Swati Sinha. Vocalist Nirali Kartik impressed the audience with her rich renditions of classical raags and taans, while the programme culminated in a powerful Sufi qawwali performance by Ustad Chand Nizami and his team, leaving the audience deeply moved.
Among those present on this occasion were Pushkar Kala, Prof Dr Durgesh Pant, SC Pant and Smita Bahuguna, who appreciated the efforts of the organisers in promoting classical arts in the state.
Kalashraya Cultural Institute, led by its president, Himanshu Darmoda, has over the years played a key role in preserving India’s classical music heritage while providing a platform for both emerging and established artistes. Darmoda noted that such initiatives create new opportunities for the youth and contribute to cultural and social advancement.
On the previous day, the inaugural function on 4 April began with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp by dignitaries including Dr DR Purohit, Suryakant Dhasmana, Dr S Farooq, Yogesh Bhatt and Pankaj Maison, followed by the release of the institute’s annual souvenir by Subodh Uniyal. The evening featured a ghazal performance by Jyoti Sharma, who rendered compositions associated with Ghulam Ali and Mehdi Hassan, followed by a sarod recital in Raaga Jhinjoti by Tejendra Majumdar, and concluded with a fusion performance by the band Landed Rhythmistaan led by Himanshu Darmoda and Nishit Gangani.
