Traditional folk, classical music from Punjab

Traditional folk and classical music from Punjab such as Kheyal and Qutubi Qawwal are set to regale audiences at a festival that begins here tomorrow.
A rendition of kheyal gayeki by Bhai Balwant Singh Namdhari accompanied by tabla mridang in the traditional style of Punjab would open the two-day festival, organised by the Department of Art, Culture & Languages of Delhi government in association with the Punjabi Academy.
Namdhari's performance would be followed by one by Raza Ali Khan, grandson of legendary Bade Ghulam Ali who is set to sing the traditional Punjabi kheyal bandishes.
The second day will have presentation of Qutubi Qawwal from the dargah of Hazrad Qutbudin Bakhtiar Kaki who would present Sufi Qawwali from Punjab and Pandit Yashpaul would render Punjabi Kheyal bandishes of archival value.

"As you are aware Punjab has always been renowned for its beautiful 'bandishes' which have enriched the repertoire of Hindustani classical music. Punjabi is the only other language, apart from Braj Bhasha, in which Kheyal bandishes have been written over the centuries," says Geetanjali Gupta, Secretary, Art, Culture & Languages of the Delhi government.
"Over the last two centuries, Hindustani musicians whether from the Punjab or elsewhere, have sung these Punjabi Kheyal compositions. It is our effort through this festival to revive an interest in them by encouraging their research and presentation," says Geetanjali Gupta, Secretary, Art, Culture and Languages of the Delhi government.

The mellifluous kheyal 'bandishes' (compositions) is a genre of 'Gayeki' which has enriched the Hindustani classical music for over two centuries now.
Shah Sada Rang and Ada Rang, creators of the Kheyal style of Hindustani classical music, have composed some bandishes in Punjabi that will be presented in the festival.