Art aficionados in Patna, on the second and concluding day of the Ninad Festival 2007 on Sunday, were blessed with the songs and dances performed by the nation's top artists including the Padma Vibhushan recipient Birju Maharaj and Padmashree winner and Harmonium player Mahmud Dhaulpuri who kept the audience captivated for hours.
With actress Nilima Azeem as the emcee, the event at Patna's Sri Krishna Memorial Hall started with a group dance by the children of Ninad that was soon followed by a performance by the noted classical singer Ustad Masqur Ali.
The main attraction, however, was the famed Kathak dancer and musician Birju Maharaj who exhibited his art in various forms including dance, songs, choreography, and as an instrument player. He was accompanied by Akram Khan on Tabla, Ghulam Warsi on Sarangi, Rakesh Prassan on Sarod, and dancers and singers Romen Dekka, Mahua Shankar, Mamta Maharaj, Deepak Maharaj, Pallavi, Sanjeev and Raghav.
State Art and Culture Minister Janata Dal (U), in his closing speech, thanked the artists and the organizers of the event saying the two-day event certainly lived up the expectations of the people and brought back fond memories of the '60s and '70s when such events were common in Patna during each Dussehra and Diwali.
"The cultural environment had ceased to exist in Patna in the last few years but with this event, Bihar is once again showing that it was serious about reviving its lost glories," Birju Maharaj, who was born Brij Mohan Mishra, said.
The maestro also took a dig at the western music and its influence on the Indian culture saying such music were 'only fit for Ravan's darbar' and had no positive effects on today's youths.
Source: www.patnadaily.com, 9th Oct,2007
