Dedicated to Asian dance and music. Keeping the arts communities informed, connected and energised. Highlighting hot spots of creativity and cutting-edge practise, making these ancient art forms ever relevant and refreshed.
Roopa Panesar is one of the finest sitar players to have emerged from the UK. A disciple of renowned tutor and performer, Dharambir Singh, Roopa has created a unique musical identity for herself.
Roopa will be joined onstage by Kaviraj Dhadyalla performing on santoor and vocal, Kirpal Panesar on tar shehnai, and Upneet Singh on tabla.
Abida Parveen performs in Manchester for the first time, as part of the Manchester International Festival. Born in Pakistan, Parveen specialises in ghazals and khafis, two distinct forms of Sufi poetry that date back centuries. Perhaps surprisingly, she also recently served as one of the judges on Sur Kshetra (Music Battlefield), the hugely popular Indo-Pakistani TV talent contest.
Abida Parveen performs in Manchester for the first time, as part of the Manchester International Festival. Born in Pakistan, Parveen specialises in ghazals and khafis, two distinct forms of Sufi poetry that date back centuries. Perhaps surprisingly, she also recently served as one of the judges on Sur Kshetra (Music Battlefield), the hugely popular Indo-Pakistani TV talent contest.
The sarod, one of the most popular string instruments of North India, resonates with a deep rich tone that relaxes and inspires in equal measure. Rajeeb Chakraborty, one of India’s finest sarod players, is a versatile musician and composer renowned for the deeply expressive nature of his performances. Trained in both Indian and Western Classical Music, he travels extensively around the world collaborating and performing across genre and style with ease. He is accompanied by highly admired tabla maestro, Kousic Sen.
The classic combination of sitar and tabla is beautifully demonstrated by two brilliant musicians. Gaurav Mazumdar is an internationally acclaimed and versatile performer and composer, originally discovered, inspired and tutored by Pandit Ravi Shankar to become the highly acclaimed and popular musician he is today. Gaurav is accompanied by Kousic Sen on tabla, who provides the perfect foil for the Sitar.
“Gaurav Mazumdar, a sitarist without parallel among the scores of the new generation musicians”. Neighbourhood Flash, New Delhi
Drumscapes live sampling - drums from India, Africa and the Middle East sit alongside vocal percussion and cutting edge technology, bringing traditional world percussion into the 21st century. Expect a mixture of bouncy world rhythms and high energy drumming.
This event will take place in The Barbirolli Room. Tarang - the national Indian Classical Music Ensemble - is a dynamic innovation in the genre, and is made up of 'maestros in the making' - young performers from the North and South Indian musical styles.
Tarang's music is all newly composed, or specially created for the ensemble, and commissioned by Milapfest from star composers of the Indian music world.
Asnare-Kelkar is the rising star of the Jaipur–Gwalior khayal style of singing. She has been enthralling her audiences with her truly extraordinary singing voice. This rare visit to the UK provides an opportunity to hear one of India’s greatest next generation maestros. Whether you have heard khayal (Indian classical vocals) or not this is definitely not a concert to be missed.
Mehboob Nadeem is a gifted UK based sitarist and vocalist. In this concert, Nadeem plays special tribute to one of the greatest Sitarists of all time, Ustad Vilayat Khan, playing a selection of his most memorable compositions.
