Sitar, kathak strike a chord at Pracheen Kala Kendra event

Harvinder Sharma of the Imdadkhani gharana and an accomplished music virtuoso from Panch Haryana opened the programme with a sitar recital. Sharma unfolded popular raga Yaman through an alaap, jod alaap and Jod jhalla and formed the raga form. He presented a composition in drut lays and set to Jhaptal before a faster laya Drut gat composition in Ek tal.

The audience relished the recital as he doled out Ati drut faster composition accompanied by tabla maestro Akram Khan. Harvinder concluded the recital with a captivating composition in Mand Bhatiyali — popular Bengali folk music.

Later, renowned Kathak danseuse Samira Koser presented the Ganesh Stuti in Rag Des set to Char tal, Pratham Sumiran Sri Ganesh. After the spiritual performance, she presented Shudh Kathak Dance Gat, Nikas Thaat, aamad, uthaan, paran, chakradar paran and upaj with captivating movements and fine footwork. Koser beautifully danced to an item Sainani displaying her command over the abhinaya aspect of Kathak.

Based on a true story based in the 17th century, the item was a tribute to the selfless sacrifice of a Rajput Princess Hada Rani. ‘Sainani’ is the depiction of Hada Rani’s sacrifice, an epitome of selflessness. She was accompanied by Ramesh Parihar on the vocals and Fateh Singh Gangani on the tabla / pakhawaj, Mahmood Khan on the tabla, Guru Brij Mohan Gangani and Mahesh Gangani on padant and Rajesh Kumar on sarangi.