Lots of people know who Betsy Ross was. Part of the reason that the woman credited with stitching the first American flag is so well known across the world is that her memory is highly glorified in her own country. But not many know the name of Pingali Venkaiah. This was the man who suggested the pattern of a spinning wheel within a tricolour and was asked by Mahatma Gandhi to create a design for a national flag, thus leading to our well known Tiranga.
Sur Sagar Society of Delhi Gharana is organising a concert, “Tirangee Malhaar”, to pay tribute to this unsung hero of the nationalist movement.
Venkaiah died in penury in 1963, without, it is said, ever being able to travel to the Capital to see the flag that evolved from his blueprint flutter over the Red Fort.
A highlight of the evening will be a tigalbandi (trio) comprising veteran musicians N. Rajam (violin), Iqbal Ahmed Khan (vocal) and Saeed Zafar Khan (sitar). They will present “Vande Mataram” set to raga Tirangee Malhar, newly created by Iqbal Ahmed Khan.
Performance takes place August 1, Kamani auditorium, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, New Delhi, 6 p.m.
