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A tribute A part of 230 metre long painted scroll which chronicles Indira Gandhi’s life.

Inclusive of all controversies, the life of the late Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi is worth admiring. From being the daughter of a freedom fighter and India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to carving out her own identity, former Prime Minister Indira is an inspiration to many women across the country. To mark the 90th birth anniversary of this leader, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) organised a host of programmes.

Its lawns played the perfect host for an evening that saw Padma Bhushan Pandit Rajan – Sajan Mishra paying a musical tribute to the lady. Their warm and captivating voices were a soothing contrast to the chilly weather. Singing against the backdrop of a beautifully done up stage, with marigold and kalash, the duo started with an aradhana in raga Shri, Prabhu Ke Charan Kamal….

Their expertise showed in the way they played around with different highs and lows, and filled the 45-minute-long composition with intricate alaaps. Their second piece was based on a poem written by Khandelwal, titled Bharat Vandana. Their young disciples, Ritesh and Rajnish, sang a couple of difficult tanas in between as well. As Rajan and Sajan Mishra decided to end their concert, the audience urged them to sing a couple of more rachanas, which they obliged.

After a mesmerising recital by the maestros, who took us on a classical high, it was the turn of folk musicians from Jaisalmer. The Manganiyars, who got their name because they survive on alms provided by the royalty, is a community that is facing the threat of extinction. With khamaycha (a string instrument played with a bow) and the khartaal (a type of castanets) as their main instruments, they sang paeans in praise of Indira. Anwar Khan, the main vocalist, Khet Khan on khartaal, Feroz Khan on dholak and Ghevar Khan on khamaycha came together with a wonderful and captive performance.

Another interesting aspect of the programme was the 230 metre long painted scroll by Santokba Dudhat of Junagarh, Gujarat. The painting portrayed the achievements and life of Indira Gandhi. It covered the span right from the birth of her father to Indira’s birth to her rise in politics and on to her death.

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