New Delhi : Classical music legend and one of the most renowned vocalists of Hindustani music, Pt Jasraj was joined by Ustad Mustafa Raza at the Veena as the two veterans opened the Delhi Classical Music Festival with a dazzling performance today.

Some of India’s most revered classical music veterans including legendary vocalists, and the most celebrated maestros of the sitar, sarod, santoor, veena and the flute are descending over Delhi this week to mesmerize the classical music lovers of the capital with their mastery of the art.

Presented by Delhi Government’s Department of Art, Culture & Languages and the Punjabi Academy, the Delhi Classical Music Festival that began today is set to bring together the likes of renowned vocalists Pt. Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan, Vidushi Girija Devi, Meeta Pandit and Manjari Asnare with artists like Veena player Ustad Mustafa Raza; sitar maestro Budhaditya Mukherjee, sarod maestro Pt. Biswajit Roy Chowdhury, santoor maestro Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma and renowned flautist Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia.

The performances by some of India’s most celebrated classical music artists will light up the capital and is sure to attract the lovers of the classical music tradition.

To be held at Kamani Auditorium every evening, the highlight of the festival will be a ‘jugalbandi’ between two legendary musical greats on the last day. The last day will bring together the legendary sarod-flute duo of Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma & Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia who have not only delivered some brilliant performances together but have also produced some memorable music for Bollywood. The duo will perform in a ‘jugalbandi’ that is sure to throw the audience to their feet.

Sitar maestro Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee and vocalist Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan will be the attraction of the second day while the third day will bring together Vidushi Girija Devi and Meeta Pandit. Sarod maestro Pt. Biswajit Roy Chowdhury and young vocalist Manjari Asnare will regale the audience on the fourth day.

“As part of Delhi Celebrates we make sure that all forms of music and arts get their due space under the sun. India’s rich and soulful classical music traditions deserve a place much above any other. Indian classical music artists have taken Indian music to foreign shores where they have drawn unparalleled appreciation, at the same time they have a loyal audience back home. We believe we should promote Indian classical music more and more to be able to draw young blood into its fold,” says Shri Rawail Singh, Secretary, Punjabi Academy.

Delhi Classical Music Festival is the only such festival in India where veteran artists in classical music rub shoulders with some young and talented exponents.

The festival will end on October 12. Are you making sure you book your evening for a session of classical music.

Source : Saurabh omer