Kolkata to host Bengali root music festival Sahaj Parav in early August
Kolkata, July 23 (IBNS): Get ready for a melodious extravaganza in Kolkata in early August as Dohar and Lomamudra Productions hold Sahaj Parav, a three-day root music festival.
Sahaj Parav is a non-profitable collective to bring on one platform different cultural traditions and performing arts with the aim to create a knowledge hub.
The aim is to highlight the different forms of Indian root music such as classical, folk, kirtan etc., establish a connection among the different genres, to open a dialogue between these forms.
The Sahaj Parav music festival will be held on different days at Rabindra Sadan (August 3 and 5) and Sisir Mancha (August 4 and 5).
According to the festival's Facebook Page, while programmes at Rabindra Sadan will have ticketed entries those at Sisir Mancha will be free. But guests have to collect passes for entry to both venues.
This festival will not only include musical performances but also seminars, debates, and exhibitions of folk art and folk instruments.
They will also felicitate and provide financial aid to veteran but impoverished folk artistes.
Eminent musicians, including Tejendra Narayan Majumdar, Tanmoy Bose, Srikanta Acharya, Joy Sarkar, Soumitra Roy, Anindya Chattopadhyay, Lopamudra and others were present at the curtain-raiser for the 2018 edition.
Noted percussionist and music producer Tanmoy Bose hoped that the festival will acquire global fame in the future. "I am sure that it will be an impetus for better music in the future.”
Tejendra Narayan Majumdar, a leading Sarod player said, "There are various types of pattern in classical music, which we don’t know. Sahaj Parav is a learning experience for all.”
According to the announcement for the 2018 edition, around 100 folk artistes from India and Bangladesh are expected to perform here.
The Sahaj Parav root music festival was initiated in 2014 by late folk musician and researcher Kalikaprasad Bhattacharya along with popular Bengali singer Lopamudra Mitra.
The main aim of the festival is to go back to the roots of Indian music and culture and revive those music forms which are going into extinction.
For details of events and availability of passes, please check - https://www.facebook.com/rootmusicfestival/
(Reporting by Avirupa Das)
