Dover Lane Music Conference is the longest running annual Indian Classical Music festival in Kolkata and possibly whole of India.  This year the festival is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda on his 150th Birth Anniversary.  The line-up for the 60th Dover Lane Music Conference in Kolkata has been announced and it is, as always, something special.  It promises another 5 nights offering some of the Best of Indian Classical Vocal, Tabla, Pakhawaj, Sitar, Shenai, Violin, Rudra Veena, Bansuri, Sarod and Harmonium performances from an all-star host of performers.

Each program begins at 8pm and continues through the night.  Its a wonderful experience, to sit with thousands of others, opening ones heart to the subtle and stirring magic of India Classical Music.  As the evening gives way to night and night gives way to early morning, the Ragas mellifluously flow from one into another, often in accordance with the sections of the day.  The festival takes place from 23rd – 26th January 2012 at Nazrul Mancha, Rabindra Sarobar, Kolkata, India.

The listing is shared here for your pleasure and more information can be found at the Official Website :-   www.doverlanemusicconference.in

 22^nd January 

Ali Ahmad Husain Khan (Shehnai)

Girija Devi (Vocal)

Shujaat Husain Khan (Sitar)

M. Venkatesh Kumar (Vocal)

Aashis Khan & Alam Khan (Jugalbandi-Sarod)

23^rd January

Mohi Baha’uddin Dagar (Rudra Veena)

Amiya Ranjan Banerjee (Vocal)

Manilal Nag (Sitar)

Ajoy Chakraborty (Vocal)

Shahid Parvez (Sitar)

24^th January

Kaushiki Desikan (Vocal)

Rajendra Prasanna (Flute)

Ashwini Bhide Deshpande (Vocal)

Amaan Ali Khan (Sarod)

Rashid Khan (Vocal)

25^th January 

Ruchira Panda (Vocal)

Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod)

Manjiri Asanare Kelkar (Vocal)

N.Rajam (Violin)

Jasraj (Vocal)

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Bharatiya Sangeet Sadan presents Swami Haridas-Tansen Sangeet

The old masters of the arts are so called for good reason. Their ability to demonstrate their skill or craft is undoubtable so in the case of musicians this leaves us with one option; to be enchanted, enthralled and enraptured as they weave their dazzling tapestries of song and musical joy.  In Delhi, the 3 day program Swami Haridas-Tansen Sangeet took place at the Sri Sathya Sai international centre (Sai Auditorium).  The program featured eminent Vocalists and Instrumentalists of India’s main proponent of the Indian Classical Music traditions. Artists such as Zakir Hussain, Channulal Mishra, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande & Shujaat Hussain Khan graced the event to weave a tapestry of magical music.

Channulal Mishra

To hear the magical tones of Channulal Mishra in the performance space, was a dream come true, as it was the first time I had the chance to enjoy this legendary singer although I had already been blessed enough to take a few music lessons with him in 2008.  To hear some of my favourite pieces performed live, in the magical spell of Sai Auditorium, with about 1500 other devoted attendees was such total magic.  He sang a variety of well known classics from his repertoire including a Mira bhai poem and a Hanuman Bhajan.  At the end everyone was crying for a the title track from the “Holi Ke Rang” album. This beautiful album was released by DEVI FOUNDATION which is a  not for profit organization was set up in New Delhi in 2003.   The Foundation’s leading objectives are the preservation and enhancement of the arts, and support to under privileged woman and children.

The unique level of sweetness that Channulal exhudes is beyond belief.  He has a unique tone in his voice that is so mellow, so purifying and so lively all at once. Soothing and energising in unison, a true celestial ceremony of Song.  Long may His musical magic continue to resound so beautifully.

Ashwini Bhide

Another legendary proponent of Indian Classical Music came to the stage the following day.  Her effortless perfection created a fluidity of space that opened up sonic vistas.  Time and space seemed to yield to her command as the complexities of sound were unravelled before our very ears!  We were all blissed beyond belief and the cares of the world seemed to melted away as the Taans opened up like a lotus blossom, revealing the very essence of Indian Classical Music.

Programme :
17th December 2010 :
Vinay Bharat-Ram – Vocal
Aashish Khan – Sarod
(S/o Ustad Ali Akbar Khan)
Zakir Hussain Khan – Tabla

18th December 2010:
Uma Sharma – Kathak
Channulal Mishra – Vocal
Mehmood Dholpuri – Harmonium
Vishwa Mohan Bhatt – Mohan Veena

19th December 2010:
Alam Khan – Sarod
(S/o Ustad Ali Akbar Khan)
Ashwini Bhide Deshpande – Vocal
Shujaat Hussain Khan – Sitar

Bharitiya Sangeet, the arts & dance school which organises this event.

http://www.uma-sharma.com/bhartiya_sangeet_sadan.asp

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It is our pleasure to announce the release of the eponymously titled debut album from ASHIRVAD (meaning “Blessings”), on Sangita Sounds.  Featuring 8 tracks of Ambient Raga, Indian Fusion, Ethnodelic dubs and Meditation trance that have been specially designed for a superior chillout experience.  The album is the fruit of their 6 month recording tour and a years production work back in Sangita Studio HQ in London.  With pre-release copies having been tested by Yogis, Masseurs, Psychedelic Dreamers, Wizards, World Class Audiophiles and Cosmic Dudes across the globe. we can say with certainty that this has well and truly passed the Acid Test.

Download the MP3

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Buy the CD

Buy the CD from Sangita Sounds

Buy the CD from CDBaby

Ashirvad – Magic Carpet (Excerpt)

“Ashirvad” is manifest

After a six-month recording tour in India followed by a year production in London and a move to Glastonbury (Avalon), the production Duo of Mathura Das and Darren Sangita, aka Ashirvad have delivered a stunning album that exhibits an extra-ordinary sense of aesthetics both in their art and music.

Featuring a host of talented classical, devotional and folk musicians from India and around the Globe, Ashirvad is a new paradigm in the future of spiritual sounds.

Ashirvad have created an exotic fusion soundscape blending ambient Indian Ragas, subtle electronica and spiritual moods to guide you on a mystical journey to the transcendental realms. Ashirvad is a kaleidoscopic musical pilgrimage across the sacred heartlands of India.  Ashirvad give thanks to all their family, friends and fans for all their support.

Click through to read some of the reviews of Ashirvad :-

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We are delighted to share news of our good friend and fellow musician Tinoush Bahrami featuring at this Traditional Persian Music concert.  The Magham Ensemble will see Tar, Setar, Oud, Percussion and Vocal playing together in this rare opportunity to enjoy Persian music.  Magham Ensemble concentrates on Iranian regional and magham music, and not the Dastgah and Radif system.

Highly Recommended musical magic which will see all benefits from the program going to a very good cause.  Unfortunately the concert is only open to students and University staff, however a guest can accompany a student or staff member of The University of Manchester.  So…. it’s time to befriend a student at Manchester University!

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