The Hindu : New Delhi News : NDMC to revive cultural programmes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 25, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

NDMC to revive cultural programmes

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 24. After a gap of more than two years, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is all set to revive its popular cultural programme of Indian classical music titled - Music in the Park. Starting June 27, sitar maestro Pandit Debu Chaudhuri and his son, Prateek Chaudhuri, will perform at Nehru Park.

Earlier, the NDMC used to hold these cultural events by spending from its own funds meant for promotion of culture. Now the civic body will be roping in sponsors for payments to be made to artistes and other expenditures while the civic body will be responsible for organising these programmes. The NDMC has also decided to seek assistance from top cultural bodies including the Sangeet Natak Academi and the Lalit Kala Parishad to arrange for artistes.

"We will start with our popular series of `Evening Ragas' and then also explore possibilities of organising `Morning Ragas' and `Sur-Taal' dance recitals by India's top artistes. We are already talking with some top performers and also with other sponsors for our future shows," informed the NDMC Secretary, U.K. Worah.

The inaugural performance is being sponsored by the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL). In July, Kuchipudi exponents Raja and Radha Reddy will enthral audience with their performance, to be followed by a performance by Dhrupad vocalist Ustad Fahimuddin Dagar.

Much to the disappointment of Delhi's culture-loving citizens, the popular series of programme had come to an abrupt end on March 1, 2002, with the classical dance performance of Nalini and Kamalini (Kathak), Vani Rajmohan (Bharatnatyam) and Manisha Bhargava (Chhau) at the Talkatora Garden. It was after a gap of three years of memorable rendezvous with India's rich cultural heritage, the regular event was scrapped by the NDMC citing financial reasons and "to curb waste of money on unproductive activities".

This much-publicised cultural journey of the NDMC began on a high note in 1999 when the first "Morning Raga" concert was organised. The concert was the brainchild of the former NDMC Chairman, B.P. Misra, who along with the NDMC's Cultural Advisor, late Surendra Mathur, successfully organised several memorable performances that aimed at "upgrading urban life and bringing art and culture out of the confines of the auditoria to the open where the public could participate".

During these three years, Delhiites had a memorable rendezvous with leading icons, including Bharat Ratna awardee Ustad Bismillah Khan, Hindustani vocalists Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Subha Mudgal, Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Debu Chaudhuri, Birju Maharaj, Kelucharan Mahapatra and Raja-Radha Reddy.

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