Bihar Governor R. S. Gavai, at Sri Krishna Memorial Hall in Patna on Saturday, inaugurated the Ninad Festival 2007 by lighting a lamp and thus opening a weekend filled with music, both classical and folk, reminding the people of the glorious days of Patna when Dussehra in the city meant presence and performance by the nation's top artists.
On Saturday, noted classical singer Purnima Chowdhary enthralled the audience by her impeccable rendition of various folk songs based on a number of Ragas. She was assisted by Tabla maestro Pandit Sudhir Pandey who kept the listeners mesmerized by his dexterous fingers for hours.
The cultural ambience was further enhanced by the Kathak dances of small girls who immediately won the hearts of hundreds of art lovers who had gathered there to enjoy the music and dance that once put Patna on the nation's cultural map in the early '70s.
Ninad Music Academy secretary Neelam Chowdhary, who also welcomed the guests, choreographed, and participated in 'Ganga' - a dance highlighting the problem of pollution and the negative effect of western music on the Indian culture.
On Sunday, visitors will be treated with performances by noted Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj, Padmashree recipient Harmonium player Mahmud Dhaulpur, Tabla guru Akram Khan, and singer Ustad Masqoor Ali, the organizers of the event said.
Source: www.patnadaily.com, 9th oct,2007
