|
|
|
The week-long “Festival of India in Kuwait Concludes The week-long “Festival of India in Kuwait” had its concluding event at the Keifan Auditorium on November 14, with a gala-show hosted by Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhotra that featured a special performance by internationally renowned Indian flutist, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia. Present on the occasion were many eminent Kuwaitis and lovers of Indian music and dance, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and numerous Ambassadors, besides members of the Indian community in Kuwait, and others.
Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia presented the north Indian evening raga Bhim Palasi, followed by the south Indian raga Hamsadhvani, and rounded off his exposition by a short rendition of Pahari Dhun. His amazing mastery of the bamboo flute and his skillful blowing technique left listeners completely spell-bound. The audience gave an enthusiastic, standing ovation to Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia upon conclusion of his flute recital and he was mobbed by admirers and fans outside the hall.
Young and upcoming tabla star Rimpa Siva gave a superb and energetic tabla performance later the same evening. She is one of just two renowned women tabla players in the world. The speed with which she played the tabla left the audience mesmerized.
In between, exquisitely made-up Kathakali dancers greeted the audience with their stylized classical dance form. Equally exciting was the Thang-ta martial arts from the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, which had two young Manipuri dancers making sparks fly with their sword-fight dance. A group of Manipuri dancers then offered the graceful and serene Basant Raas dance from Manipur, enchanting the audience with beautifully crafted movements and twirling visuals. Dandia Raas followed by folk dancers from Gujarat attired in colourful and gorgeous costumes, with the women dancing rhythmically and joyously in circles and their flowing movements characterized by grace and speed. The Festival concluded with an energetic presentation of the popular folk dance of Punjab, Bhangra, that is closely linked with the harvest season. The dancers, dressed in brightly coloured outfits, soon had the audience clapping to the rhythm of the lively and vigorous drum beat.
|
