By Mabel Pais

The IAAC Festival of Indian Music takes place for the 2nd year on three incredibly mesmerizing days of soulful melodies and rhythms celebrating India’s rich musical heritage. From August 11 to 13, New York City will resonate with the harmonious sounds of renowned artists, and pay homage to the late Pandit Vijay Kichlu, one of the greatest proponents of Indian classical music.

PROGRAM – FESTIVAL OF INDIAN MUSIC

DAY 1

WHO:    LATE PADMA SHRI PT. VIJAY KICHLU

WHEN:  August 11, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time

WHERE: The Consulate of India in New York,

3 E 64th St, New York, NY 10065

Tribute to the musical legacy of Late Padma Shri Pt. Vijay Kichlu with snippets from the film Raga Revelry

The festival opens with a tribute to the esteemed Pandit Vijay Kichlu, whose contributions to the world of classical music are immeasurable. This emotional journey will be accompanied by exclusive screenings of snippets from the documentary Raga Revelry, shedding light on the extraordinary life and musical journey of Pandit Vijay Kichlu.

Performer and musicologist Vijay Kichlu’s journey to create a permanent sanctuary for this valuable inheritance, transplants the viewer to the center of Indian spirituality and culture. Heart-felt performances and interviews from legendary musicians along with the joyful camaraderie between the artists, unfolds the Rasa, the essence or soul of this music.

Vijay Kichlu was an Indian classical singer. He studied Dhrupad with the Dagar Brothers and Khayal with Latafat Hussain Khan, whose style had a strong connection with Dhrupad. He and his brother, Ravi Kichlu, formed a famous classical vocalist duo. Kichlu was the founder and head of the ITC Music Academy for 25 years. Kichlu founded Sangeet Research Academy for patronizing and nurturing upcoming talents in Indian classical music. In 2018, he was bestowed with the civilian award Padma Shri by the Government of India.

Raga Revelry is a fun introduction to the centuries-old tradition of North Indian classical music, often referred to as Raga music. For thousands of years, musicians have dedicated their lives to preserving this unwritten heritage that evokes a vivid range of emotions and moods and invites the listener to go beyond a limited perspective of self-awareness.

TICKETS

For tickets, visit iaac.us

Day 2

WHO:    MALINI AWASTHI

WHEN:  August 12, 2023

WHERE: Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center

129 West 67th Street, New York, NY 10023

Padma Shri Malini Awasthi is an Indian folk singer. She sings in Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Hindi, She also presents Thumri and Kajri. The Government of India awarded her the civilian honor of the Padma Shri in 2016. She is known for her contribution in Bhojpuri music.

Malini Awasthi is a regular performer at popular classical music festival, Jahan-e-Khusrau. She has a high pitch voice and is popular for rendition of thumari (style),Thaare Raho Baanke Shyam. She participated in Imagine’s junoon. She has been appointed as the brand ambassador by Election Commision for U.P elections 2012 and 2014. She sang the song “Sunder Susheel” in the 2015 film Dum Lage ke Haisha which had music by Anu Malik.

Accompanied by:

Anubrata Chatterjee – Tabla

Monty Lalani – Dholak

Brij Joshi – Keyboard

Mayank Patel – Octopad

Rohan Prabhudesai – Harmonium

Prepare to be enthralled as Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center, plays host to the soul-stirring melodies of folk music sensation, Malini Awasthi. With her powerful voice and remarkable talent, Malini Awasthi effortlessly captures the essence of Indian folk music, transporting the audience to the culturally diverse landscapes of India. This unforgettable evening promises to be a celebration of the country’s rich folk traditions, showcasing the beauty of its regional music. She will present a collection of foot tapping songs in various languages – Hindi, Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Bundelkhandi & more. She will also present semi-classical compositions from her vast repertoire.

TICKETS

For tickets, visit

kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch/event/queen-of-folk-malini-awasthi-annual-festival-of-music/

DAY 3

WHO:    THREE GENERATION SAROD QUINTET

WHEN:  August 13, 2023

WHERE: Symphony Space Level, 2537 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

The grand finale of the Music Festival will feature a breathtaking performance by the legendary Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan, accompanied by his exceptionally talented sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. Joining them on stage will be Ayaan’s twin sons, Abeer Ali Bangash & Zohaan Ali Bangash, marking a truly remarkable display of three generations of musical brilliance.

Symphony Space will reverberate with the captivating sounds of the sarod, enchanting the hearts of all music enthusiasts. It is an incomparable journey where the Guru leads you from the visible to the invisible, from the material to the divine, from the ephemeral to the eternal. A wonderful and strange mystery of Indian classical music is the fact that one can spend a lifetime trying to obtain knowledge and perfection and still feel that one has only touched a mere drop of an ocean. The learning never stops along the Journey of searching and discovering.

Indian Classical music has indeed had a very spiritual and scientific development and growth. This was a phenomenon that existed from Vedic times.

The Sarod Quintet concert will start with a solo presentation by Maestro Amjad Ali Khan. This will be followed by a Sarod duet by Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. They present a traditional Raga of Indian Classical music set to various rhythmic time cycles. Keeping India’s ethos of traditions and legacies alive, Three Generation Quintet represents the 6th, 7th and 8th generation of musicians coming together on stage and performing together.

This will be the third segment featuring Sarod Grand Master Amjad Ali Khan and his virtuoso sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash on Sarods. They will be joined by Ayaan’s 10 year old Twins Zohaan Ali Bangash and Abeer Ali Bangash. They present a Tribute to India’s ongoing 75th year of Independence celebration. Amit Kavthekar and Anubrata Chatterjee, two brilliant Tabla (Indian two-piece drums) players provide accompaniment for this concert.

The family recently completed a five city tour in India.

TICKETS

For tickets, visit symphonyspace.org/events/vp-iaac-presents-the-sarod-quintet

Sunny Thakkar, Music Festival Director, expressed his excitement for the event, saying, “After the grand success of last year’s star studded Festival of Music specially organized for India@75, we are thrilled to curate the festival again this year and continue to bring something special to the audiences in New York City. Our aim is to create an immersive experience that showcases the diversity and magnificence of Indian music. This year’s lineup promises to be an extraordinary journey through the realms of classical, folk, and inter generational performances.”

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, Spirituality, and Business)