Great artists showcased in Hindustani concert at Illinois
By siliconindia   |   Friday, 29 October 2010, 07:58 IST
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Illinois: With a fresh lease of programs reflecting Indian values, culture and traditions, a Hindustani classical concert was held at Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Illinois by Rhythm and Raag — an institute for Indian performing arts, reports India Tribune. Maestro Pundit Tarun Bhattacharya on the Santoor was the featured artist. Tarun presented a beautiful Raag, Charukesi, with a tabla accompaniment by Subrata Bhattacharya, Rhythm and Raag’s co founder. The program features some of the students, who were learning classical vocal and tabla. The kids sang classical pieces flawlessly and were followed by the teachers of Rhythm and Raag. Welcoming the artists and the gathering, Bhima Reddy, president of the temple board of directors, said that HTGC was committed to bringing in programs that reflected Indian values, culture and traditions. The audience was a mix of people, including many who were new to experiencing he temple and Indian classical music. Subrata Bhattacharya presented Das Avatar — a dance in the classical Odissi style that eloquently showed that through devotion one could work towards a peaceful state. The audience viewed the narrative of the hymn to the Lord as written in the text of the Gita Govinda by Bhakta Jayadev. The vocal part of the program was a popular Raag, especially in southern India called Hamsadhwani, where Nirmalya Roy adeptly weaved it and kept amused the audience with the classical song Vathapi Ganapathim Bhajeham.

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