Artists such as Parween Sultana, Pt. Bhajan Sopori, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt. Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and others will participate in the Delhi Classical Music Festival here beginning November 2.
The artists will perform at Kamani Auditorium during the four-day festival.
From the mellifluous sounds of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia's flute to the euphonious play of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's sarod, the festival has everything to mesmerise the connoisseurs of Indian music.
The festival will showcase nine artists with an interesting mix of veterans and fresh talent.
According to the organisers, the festival will begin with vocal rendition of Sangeet Samragini Begum Parween Sultana and a santoor performance by Pt. Bhajan Sopori.
"The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition dating back to 1500 BC. However, over the centuries, our music has incorporated inputs from multiple sources and has enriched itself with confluence of different traditions that met in the Indian subcontinent. Our instruments have held their own even in times of digital and techno driven musical instruments. Indian classical music is a true representative of our rich identity," said Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia.
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The second evening will host performances by Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra duo and Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia. Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra are accomplished singers of the 'khyal' style of Indian classical music while Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia needs no introduction as one of India's most renowned flutists.
"In recent years there has been an animated debate on whether our classical music is losing out to the modern pop culture. However, when I see young music enthusiasts eager to learn our classical traditions and keen to master their hands in it, I feel confident of a bright future for our indigenous music. We need more such festivals to encourage young talent on the scene," said Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.
The third evening will begin with a sitar and sarod (duet) recital by Lakshay Mohan and Ayush Mohan Gupta. This will be followed by sitar recital by Ustad Saeed Zafar Khan; and vocal recital by renowned classical music vocalist Pt. Jasraj. The festival will conclude on November 5 with a vocal recital by Ashwini Bhide Deshpande and sarod recital by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.
The festival is organised by the department of art, culture and languages of the Delhi government and Sahitya Kala Parishad.