If you are talking about Indian Classical music in the city of Delhi, then, Strings N Steps festival is one of the most coveted destinations you should mark in your itinerary. With a not so regular time frame, this fest lures music lovers from all over India during its annual stage show.
The festival which is a part of the Strings N Steps music and dance academy can be rightfully termed as a collage of Indian classical acts.
On 16th March 2016, the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi witnessed their most recent rendition as the festival stepped into a glorious fifth year. The audience was filled with several musicians, dancers, fans, followers and friends. The performance line up consisted of an array of stalwarts in the field of Indian classical music and dance.
Ustad Akram Khan and Pandit Fatehsingh Gangani’s Tabla-Pakhawaj jugalbandi was one the finest attractions of the evening. The ease and flow in their presentation was impeccable. They started off with an engrossing vilambit with Fatehsingh playing Chalan Chand Chatushra Jaati & Teesri Jaati on Pakhawaj and Akram Khan Kayda in Chatushra jaati and teesri jaati rela on Tabla. The duo then moved on to Madhyalaya with Chhand on Pakhawaj and Kayda on Tabla. The exquisite Drut rhythm at the end concluded with an absorbing Sawal Jawab.
Kathak dancer Malti Shyam’s performance followed by Odissi of Vani Madhav added yet another charm through the diversity of Indian Classical dances. The highly regarded Indian dance forms were represented adroitly by them.
Along with other luminaries Shri Amarendra Khatua, the Dean of Foreign Service Institute, India graced the program as chief guest. According to Shri Khatua “Strings N Steps, the young organisation is doing commendable work for the society, much through its online & offline academy of Music and Dance associating many artists of international repute.” The organization is also known for providing free classes and workshops to the underprivileged children.
The festival concluded with the ‘Strings N Steps Group performance’ the music of which was composed by the legendary sitar maestro Pandit Debu Chaudhuri. Hawaiian Guitar player and Kathak dancer- Neel Ranjan Mukherjee and Sangeeta Majumder duo set the ball rolling with Zakir Akhtar Hussain, Zuheb Ahmed Khan on Tabla and Rajesh Pandey on vocal.
Revitalization of Indian Classical music in the new era of dance & music is much required and doing it without any institutional support points out at an undying will deserves a standing ovation.
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