Tag: SAJDA FESTIVAL

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Films India News UK News

Sajda Festival UK to screen film Jalsaghar; tribute to Vilayat Khan, Satyajit Ray

The offline and culminating event of Sajda Festival Season 3 will be held on Saturday  27 August at the Carlton Club Manchester. The Manchester-headquartered festival presents an unabashed tribute to auteur Bharat Ratna  Satyajit Ray and sitarist Ustad Vilayat Khan. The award-winning music of Ray’s acclaimed movie Jalsaghar represents the convergence of the paths of these two artistic geniuses.” It is also the appropriate backdrop to enthrall and inform audiences on the marriage of the visual and music art forms,” informs Rahul Laud , Curator and Producer of the Sajda festival. .

On Saturday 27 August, the movie itself namely Jalsaghar (or its English-moniker, The Music Room) will be shown is a fitting finale to the Sajda Festival Season 3. The screening of this award-winning Bengali film with Subtitles will start at 3 pm. Tickets will be available on Eventbrite  (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sajda-season-3-grand-finale-tickets-388609249727) and at the door of the venue. This critically acclaimed visual feast is a  tribute to filmmaker and Renaissance genius, Satyajit Ray. The significance of Jalsaghar is timeless; the unprecedented time we live in is a testament of the enduring nature of the film’s plot. The use of music, visually appealing sets that keep the authentic feel, free of any frivolity mark Ray’s artistic vision.

This film is a treat to music lovers.  It has won the President’s award in India and international acclaim at the Moscow Film Festival for its music and it is classified among the top 360 classics films by the British Film Institute.

The film screening at the Carlton Club will be followed by a fireside chat by cineaste Ani Kaprekar who is also the Brand Ambassador for Season 3 at Sajda Festival and Prof Anindita Ghosh from University of Manchester. The soon to open restaurant Hungamaa has offered to serve refreshments at the venue.  

Presented by the State Bank of India, UK, and Nehru Centre London (cultural wing of Indian High Commission, UK) as its cultural partner, Sajda Festival has always strived to bring top notch curated content, whilst staying editorially independent, multicultural, and inclusive. Despite the headwinds caused by the pandemic and resulting downturn, Sajda went ahead with Season 3. The entire festival was offered in an online FB Live format and free of cost to thousands of music lovers all over the world. Like minded individuals and corporates supported the festival to make it sustainable.

Season 3 was globally launched on 18th July 2021 and inaugurated by multi-faceted singer Gayatri Asokan who paid a tribute to ghazal maestro Mehdi Hasan. This edition was enlivened by a powerhouse performance of Pt Jayateerth Mevundi. He sang in homage to Bharat Ratna Awardee, Pt Bhimsen Joshi, as part of the latter’s centenary celebration. Mevundi is a leading light of the Kirana Gharana and is a seasoned staple on the Indian classical music circuit.

‘’SAJDA draws lot of interest and having a reputation among connoisseurs, discerning audiences and the popular folk the  festival being offered engaged them from the comfort of their homes and now  offline,’’ said Rahul Laud, Curator of the festival. Laud further added that the Online and Offline Season 3 reiterates SAJDA’s philosophy to entertain, educate and pay tribute to different performing arts and genres and artistes. Laud assured that Sajda’s aim to pay tribute to Unsung Heroes from different genres, dying art forms and musical instruments which are seldom played or not heard will continue.

Season 3 scored several firsts. It entertained music enthusiasts, young and old, British and international, on our Facebook pages. Sajda also launched its Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeAfIMGGVs557epiL-dAhdg) and had its first Instalive interview with renowned young artiste and Geek Gayak, Sandeep Ranade. The festival won an EFFE label from the European Festivals Finder website (https://www.festivalsfinder.eu/festivals/season-3-sajda-festival-uk).

The festival had unparalleled support this year. Along with SBI (main sponsor), several luminaries acted as patrons for Season 3. Esme Ward, director of the Manchester Museum, Craig Pruess, famed sitarist and music director, Pt Ronu Majumdar (flautist), Bhawani Singh Shekawat (head, Akshayapatra UK) were advocates for Sajda’s festival format and its contribution to the arts. International ambassadors such as famed tabla player Saleel Tambe , singer Nihira Joshi Deshpande, Ani Kaprekar, Geetha Balsara and Anandi Iyer lent their weight to the events.

Sponsorsfor Season 3  include NRI Legal Services, Advanced Science and Technology Management, Kolumbus International, Sri Sri Tatva, Best Choice Travels    and Community and media partners  include Asian Lite International  HAP, Global Indian News Stories, Radio Masti Singapore , BHF Radio.

For further information visit the official Festival website for all event related updates-  www.sajdafestival.com

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Lite Blogs Music UK News

Sajda Festival UK culminates with tribute to Vilayat Khan, Satyajit Ray

With the culmination of a year of celebration along with a growing community of viewers across the globe, Sajda Festival Season 3 dovetails Azadi Ka Amrit mahotasav (India@75) celebration in its offline segment to be held soon…reports Asian Lite News

The first offline and culminating set of 2 exciting events of Sajda Festival Season 3 on 17 August 2022 and 27 August will be nothing short of magic. The Manchester-headquartered festival presents an unabashed tribute to auteur Bharat Ratna  Satyajit Ray and sitarist Ustad Vilayat Khan. The award-winning music of Ray’s acclaimed movie Jalsaghar represents the convergence of the paths of these two artistic geniuses. It is also the appropriate backdrop to enthrall and inform audiences on the marriage of the visual and music art forms.

Amish Tripathi, renowned author, diplomat at the Indian High Commission UK and dynamic director of the Nehru Centre will be present to address the audience. Our musicians for the evening, Ustad Mehboob Nadeem on the sitar, and Shri Saleel Tambe on the tabla will set the tone for a rousing tribute to Ray and Khan. The newly done-up Nehru Centre auditorium can accommodate 200 music-goers. It is expected that it will be a full house with connoisseurs of art and music set to enjoy the ambience of the Centre.

Amish Tripathi, celebrated author and Diplomat, Director of Nehru Centre London

On Saturday 27 August, the movie itself namely Jalsaghar (or its English-moniker, The Music Room) will be shown is a fitting finale to the Sajda Festival Season 3. The screening of this award-winning Bengali film with Subtitles will start at 3 pm at the Carlton Club Manchester. Tickets will be available on Eventbrite  (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sajda-season-3-grand-finale-tickets-388609249727) and at the door of the venue. This critically acclaimed visual feast is a  tribute to filmmaker and Renaissance genius, Satyajit Ray. The significance of Jalsaghar is timeless; the unprecedented time we live in is a testament of the enduring nature of the film’s plot. The use of music, visually appealing sets that keep the authentic feel, free of any frivolity mark Ray’s artistic vision.

Presented by the State Bank of India, UK, and Nehru Centre London (cultural wing of Indian High Commission, UK) as its cultural partner, Sajda Festival has always strived to bring top notch curated content, whilst staying editorially independent, multicultural, and inclusive. Despite the headwinds caused by the pandemic and resulting downturn, Sajda went ahead with Season 3. The entire festival was offered in an online FB Live format and free of cost to thousands of music lovers all over the world. Like minded individuals and corporates supported the festival to make it sustainable.

Season 3 was globally launched on 18th July 2021 and inaugurated by multi-faceted singer Gayatri Asokan who paid a tribute to ghazal maestro Mehdi Hasan. This edition was enlivened by a powerhouse performance of Pt Jayateerth Mevundi. He sang in homage to Bharat Ratna Awardee, Pt Bhimsen Joshi, as part of the latter’s centenary celebration. Mevundi is a leading light of the Kirana Gharana and is a seasoned staple on the Indian classical music circuit.

‘’SAJDA draws lot of interest and having a reputation among connoisseurs, discerning audiences and the popular folk the  festival being offered engaged them from the comfort of their homes and now  offline,’’ said Rahul Laud, Curator of the festival. Laud further added that the Online and Offline Season 3 reiterates SAJDA’s philosophy to entertain, educate and pay tribute to different performing arts and genres and artistes. Laud assured that Sajda’s aim to pay tribute to Unsung Heroes from different genres, dying art forms and musical instruments which are seldom played or not heard will continue.

Season 3 scored several firsts. It entertained music enthusiasts, young and old, British and international, on our Facebook pages. Sajda also launched its Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeAfIMGGVs557epiL-dAhdg) and had its first Instalive interview with renowned young artiste and Geek Gayak, Sandeep Ranade. The festival won an EFFE label from the European Festivals Finder website (https://www.festivalsfinder.eu/festivals/season-3-sajda-festival-uk).

The festival had unparalleled support this year. Along with SBI (main sponsor), several luminaries acted as patrons for Season 3. Esme Ward, director of the Manchester Museum, Craig Pruess, famed sitarist and music director, Pt Ronu Majumdar (flautist), Bhawani Singh Shekawat (head, Akshayapatra UK) were advocates for Sajda’s festival format and its contribution to the arts. International ambassadors such as famed tabla player Saleel Tambe , singer Nihira Joshi Deshpande, Ani Kaprekar, Geetha Balsara and Anandi Iyer lent their weight to the events.

Sponsors include NRI Legal Services, Advanced Science and Technology Management, Kolumbus International, Sri Sri Tatva  and Community and media partners  include Asian Lite International  HAP, Global Indian News Stories, Radio Masti Singapore , BHF Radio.

For further information visit the official Festival website for all event related updates-  www.sajdafestival.com

ALSO READ-Sajda Fest UK presents vocalist Pt Jayateerth Mevundi to pay homage to Pt Bhimsen Joshi

Categories
Arts & Culture UK News

Sajda Fest UK presents vocalist Pt Jayateerth Mevundi to pay homage to Pt Bhimsen Joshi

Sajda Season 3 will have its last free, online concert in homage to Bharat Ratna Shri Bhimsen Joshi as part of his birth centenary celebrations. The evening will consist of a performance of Abhangs, Bhajans, classical compositions and light classical pieces.

Pt Mevundi will mesmerise the global audience by drawing on his repertoire of bhajans in a few different languages including Kannada and Marathi. He is a young star on the galaxy of stalwarts in the lineage of the Kirana Gharana who is lighting up the Indian music scene.

Concertgoers can log in via Sajda Fest UK’s Facebook and YouTube channels on Oct 16th 2021 (Sunday) at 3 PM BST, 7.30 PM IST to enjoy the music of this young maestro!

𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸:  https://www.facebook.com/sajdafestival 

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗧𝘂𝗯𝗲 : https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCeAfIMGGVs557epiL-dAhdg    

Jayateerth Mevundi is a Hindustani classical vocalist who hails from Hubli in North Karnataka much like Pt Bhimsen Joshi. He took to music at a very tender age under the guidance of his mother, Sudhabai who was fond of Purandara Dasa (a famous Carnatic music composer) songs.

Sajda
Pt. Jayateerth Mevundi

His formal training in classical music was from Sangeet Ratna Pt. Arjunsa Nakod and he continues to learn from Pt. Shripati Padegar, a disciple of Pt Bhimsen Joshi. His singing style is reminiscent of Pandit Bhimsen Joshiji and is also deeply influenced by Carnatic music.

Besides the Young Maestro award that he received from President Abdul Kalam in 2007, Mevundi has won accolades including the Pt. Jasraj Gourav Puraskar(1995), the Mewati Gharana Sangeet Gourav Puraskar (2000) and the Shanmukhananda Sangeet Shiromani Award (2005), Mumbai. He is an ‘A Top’ graded artist at All India Radio (AIR).

Jayateerth is an admirer of playback singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, PB Sreenivas, Vani Jayaram and S Janaki. He describes himself as a fan of raaga-based film music.

Sajda’s current season 3 has been enjoying worldwide encomiums with several enthralling performances. The season was inaugurated with a tribute to Mohan Veena great Pt Vishwamohan Bhatt by his student Shri AnanDa. The second concert in the series was an ode to Ghazal Badshah, Mehdi Hassan. Young ghazal maestro, Gayatri Asokan, won the hearts of the audience with her soulful renditions of Hassan sahab’s pieces.

 Presented by the State Bank of India, UK, and Nehru Centre London (cultural wing of Indian High Commission, UK) as its cultural partner, Sajda is determined to bring top notch curated content, whilst staying editorially independent, multicultural, and inclusive. This season will feature a unique online and offline repertoire of Indian artistes.

The entire festival is being offered FREE OF COST to music lovers. Sajda’s eminent supporters and partners include the Manchester Museum, Akshaya Patra UK, NRI Legal Services, ASTML, Success Coach Nilesh, Sri Sri Tattva, Saffron’s Spice, and Kathik . The festival is also supported by several media and community organisations.

For more information and enquiries and all event related updates, visit the official Festival website at www.sajdafestival.com.

Donors can contribute to https://www.gofundme.com/f/sajda-festival and be recognised for their support on the festival website.

Categories
India News UK News

SAJDA Festival UK, Kathik India announce tie-up

Sajda Festival UK expands horizons with like minded organsiations, Subhadrika Sen reports

SADJA Festival Season 3 welcomes premier Indian heritage and arts organisation KATHIK as its partners. Inching closer to the goal of Indo-UK cultural ties which resides at the heart of the festival, the collaboration aims to pay tribute to artistic legends, reviving dying art forms and restoring the significance of musical instruments which are either being seldom played or not heard.

SAJDA
Kathik team in India

Dr. Manjiri Thakoor, Art Historian and Founder of KATHIK stated, ‘Indian Art is an endless ocean of knowledge, philosophy and excellent techniques. At KATHIK we united to embark on the world of our own legacy. We are extremely happy and proud to have an invitation by SADJA Festival UK, which also walks on the same path with great enthusiasm and passion. Music is Art. Indian sangeet and melody have enchanted the world for many years. SADJA makes one such prodigious help in connecting cultural dots of world art. I am sure of the success of this collaboration.’

Festival Curator, Rahul Laud commented, ’SAJDA sees lot of synergy with KATHIK. Their passion and work in the field of culture and arts are coherent with the values of the festival. They honour tradition, heritage and restore dying art forms. This conservation is of primary concern for future generations. Although KATHIK is not directly associated with performing arts, but their love for heritage and culture by supporting the festival gives an edge to this collaboration by administering a strong value system to the festival ethos.’

Presented by the State Bank of India, UK, and Nehru Centre London (cultural wing of Indian High Commission, UK) as its cultural partner, Sajda is determined to bring top notch curated content, whilst staying editorially independent, multicultural, and inclusive. In this third edition, artistes of international repute will pay tribute to Bharat Ratna awardees –Pt Bhimsen Joshi and Satyajit Ray- while observing their centenary celebrations. This season will feature a unique online and offline repertoire of Indian artistes. The next online event will be a vocal concert by Pt Jayateerth Mevundi to build and strengthen the engagement with the Indian diaspora. 

Pt. Jayateerth Mevundi to perform soon.

The entire festival is being offered FREE OF COST to music lovers. Our eminent supporters and partners include the Manchester Museum, Akshaya Patra UK, NRI Legal Services, ASTML, Success Coach Nilesh, Sri Sri Tattva, Saffron’s Spice and VOICE. The festival is also supported by several media and community organisations.

Please visit the official Festival website for all event related updates-  www.sajdafestival.com

For more information on Kathik please visit https://kathik.in/

For more information write to curator@sajdafestival.com

Subhadrika Sen is Journalist and Blogger: www.trekkersoftheeast.com

Categories
-Top News Events UK News

SBI UK to present SAJDA FESTIVAL; Vocalist Gayatri Asokan to regale global audience

Sajda Festival UK is geared up to launch its season 3 on Sunday 18th July.  Presented by the State Bank of India UK with Cultural Partner Nehru Centre, London the festival is slated to present eminent artistes through the whole year and pay homage to different legends, reports  Shubhadrika Sen ( Blogger: www.trekkersoftheeast.com)

SAJDA FESTIVAL UK Season 3 presented by SBI UK will be inaugurated on 18th July, 2021, by Shri Amish Tripathi, storied author and Director of the Nehru Centre London, Cultural Partner of the festival.

Amish Tripathi, celebrated author and Diplomat, Director of Nehru Centre London

The Festival will be launched with a ghazal mehfil a vocal concert by multi-faceted singer Gayatri Asokan and reach out to a global audience. The Third edition will witness artistes of international repute paying homage to Bharat Ratna Awardees –Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and Satyajit Ray- while observing their centenary celebrations. A prominent line up of renowned personalities has become Patrons who have showered immense support include: Pt. Ronu Majumdar, Craig Pruess, Esme Ward, and Bhawani Singh Shekhawat. Over the years several artistes who have attached themselves to the cause of performing arts and music like Geetha Balsara, Saleel Tambe, Nihira Joshi Deshpande, Anil Kaprekar and Anandi Iyer have agreed to be volunteer ambassadors of the Season 3.

ALSO READ – Sajda Fest Presents Mohan Veena Recital to Heal Minds

Later this year Season 3 will enthral audience with the voice of Pt. Jayateerth Mevundi who will pay tribute to the Pt. Bhimsen Joshi commemorating his birth centenary.  Satyajit Ray cinema will be also showcased with talks and his world of music will be explored with a tribute to Ustad Vilayat Khan Sitarist who was his music director.

Sajda Festival
Gayatri Asokan, Vocalist par excellence

 In its SEASON 3 (2021-22) the SAJDA FESTIVAL will have a unique online and offline repertoire of Indian artistes, building and strengthening further the engagement with Indian diaspora, global artistes and upholding the tradition of keeping dying art forms alive. Following its success over the past years with events in Manchester and the official launch of Season 1 (Offline events in Manchester and London) and Season 2 (online), SAJDA FESTIVAL is geared up to launch its Season 3   with a comprehensive one-year-calendar of events. The entire festival will be offered on a complimentary basis to music lovers, like-minded individuals and corporates.

Recently the Festival hosted a Covid Relief convert and presented an instrumental session of Mohan Veena with Ananda (aka Aanand Sundaram).   

Sajda Festival
Rahul Laud, Curator and Producer, Sajda Festival

Rahul Laud, Festival Curator and Producer in a recent interview at the BBC Manchester said: “The official launch is on the 18th of July and it will be wonderful because this year we are paying tribute to none other than the shahenshah of ghazals, Mehdi Hassan. This happens to be his 94th birth anniversary and we have found a young ghazal singer from India, Gayatri Asokan, wife of the sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee. A very well-known playback singer, who has moved her focus to the genre of ghazals since the past five years.” Trained over the years in Carnatic, Hindustani classical music, ghazal and Thumri, Gayatri made her debut in Indian playback singing under the music direction of the great Ravindran Master. She has won many coveted awards including the Kerala Government State Award for best playback singer (2004), Amrita Film Award and World Malayalee Council Award.

SAJDA FESTIVAL UK was officially launched in 2019 with five successful events (comprising vocals, sitar, harmonica, inspirational music, photography and poetry) held in Manchester and London and a tribute to Bollywood songs of yesteryears in the city of Mumbai; followed by the online Festival last year with 4 shows (vocal, sitar, harmonica and flute). It aims to pay tribute to Unsung Heroes from different genres, dying art forms and musical instruments which are seldom played or not heard. SAJDA also offers its homage to world class artistes honouring their contribution to the musical world. The rationale is an outcome of the Indo-UK cultural year that was announced by the Prime Ministers of both nations – the UK and India – Ms Theresa May and Shri Narendra Modi respectively. Since then, the Festival has engaged with the Indian diaspora and acted as a Cultural Living Bridge between the two Nations.

The Festival has received overwhelming support from donors, sponsors, patrons and community organisations since its first edition. Eminent sponsors for the upcoming edition include Success Coach Nilesh, NRI Legal Services UK, Advance Science Technology and Management, Kolumbus and Sri Sri Tatva.

International Media like Asia Lite, Global Indian Stories, Here and Now 365 and BHF Radio have helped the Festival pick up worldwide momentum through its support. Organisations like Manchester Museum, Akshaya Patra UK, VOICE Manchester and CCITS have joined hands in promoting the cause of Indo-UK Cultural Interaction through this annual Music Festival.

The Festival strongly believes in social engagement and also donates to charitable causes.

Please visit the official Festival website for all event related updates-  www.sajdafestival.com

ALSO READ – Asian Lite, SAJDA, IAHV join hands to save lives in India

   

Categories
-Top News Events India News

Sajda Fest Presents Mohan Veena Recital to Heal Minds

SAJDA FESTIVAL UK recently organised a COVID RELIEF concert is now geared up to enter its Season 3 activities. To introduce the season the organisers have organised a special Mohan Veena recital music concert next Sunday July 4. ‘’Music Heals’’ will be an evening of specially chosen raga-based compositions and popular numbers by revered London based Mohan Veena (slide guitar) player, AnanDa (aka Anand Sundaram).

ALSO READ – Asian Lite, SAJDA, IAHV join hands to save lives in India

AnanDa is the protégé of Padma Bhushan, Grammy awardee, and Sangeet Natak Akademi award winner Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt who elevated the Mohan Veena to new heights with his unique style. “Music is the language of God created for the benefit of Mankind. To me music is the medium to talk to God,’’ says Pt. Vishwamohan Bhatt. Ananda follows this tradition and on 4 July he assures to bring a unique experience to the discerning audience and others. Patnam Subramania Iyer, one of the doyens of Carnatic music is AnanDa’s great-great grandfather. His father and uncles were all Carnatic musicians.

SAJDA

A Chartered Accountant and IT professional, AnanDa has created a unique concept ‘Bollywood to Bhairavi’ (B2B) – to teach classical music through the medium of mainstream film music.

To those uninitiated Mohan Veena is a hybrid slide guitar and has been added to the list of Indian classical instrument. It has 19 strings: three melody strings and four three drone strings coming out of the peg heads, and 12 sympathetic strong to tuners mounted to a piece of wood added to the side of the neck. The melody strings are on what we would consider the treble side of the neck, and the drone strings are on the bass side. The drone strings are lower in height than the melody strings to allow for unrestricted playing of the melody strings. The sympathetic strings run underneath the melody and drone strings to yet another level in the bridge. The instrument has a carved spruced top, mahogany back and sides, a mahogany neck, and a flat, fretless, rosewood fingerboard. This is a loud instrument made to cut through with low amplification.

Dr J S Bamrah

On next Sunday 4 July event, renowned and respected Consultant Psychiatrist Dr J. S. Bamrah CBE, GMMH and Hon Reader, University of Manchester will share insights into the connection of music and mind. Bamrah is the   Inventor of Chartmyhealth App for smartphones for the NHS.

Jazzy J – Singer, Artist, Host, and Radio Presenter will host the evening with his youthful, energetic and vibrant voice.

RJ Jazzy Jay Acharya

Organisers say registration is not required and access is free of cost to the event. They say, just click on the link https://www.facebook.com/sajdafestival/ to join the event that is to be held on Sunday, 4 July, 2021

Time: 3.00 – 4.00 pm BST (7.30 pm IST)

‘’It will be a special evening of healing with music that is relevant to the current times,’’ says Rahul Laud, Curator and Producer of the Sajda Festival UK.

The Season 3 presented by State Bank of India, UK and with cultural partner, Nehru Centre London (cultural wing of Indian High Commission, UK) will showcase different performing arts. This festival offers its tribute to artists, musicians and music lovers. Sajda is determined to continue bringing top notch curated content, whilst staying editorially independent, multicultural, and inclusive.

Those interested to know more about the festival can visit www.sajdafestival.com

ALSO READ – Music band Indian Breves brings fresh lease of air