By Nina Rai - Daijiworld Media Network
Mangalore, Dec 4: Sangeet Bharati Foundation presentation the Swara Laya Yatra’s third episode in a series of concerts, made an impressive opening here at 6 pm in the Town Hall on Sunday, Dec 2 with Rajasthani folk songs rendered by Ismail Khan Langa and troupe from Jodhpur.
The theme of the concert was Rajasthani folk music, with the MC welcoming and urging the audience to experience the rich folklore and cultural diversity of India. She informed that the mission of this concert was to popularize the rich Rajasthani sangeet all over the country. Rajasthani folk music and dance is based on the ragas such as Billaval, Kaki, Desh, Bihu. It is basically played on the Yonous Mand Style Sarangi which is a string instrument.
About the Langa family she informed that they were traditionally professional musicians from Rajasthan comprising brothers, cousins and close kith and kin, who in olden days used to be called by royal families to perform and today they are invited not only nationally but even internationally as well. In fact the Langa’s have performed in all parts of the world except China and Pakistan such is the length and breadth of their rich musical experience.
Dignitaries on the occasion were K. U Shanbaug, his wife Rekha Shanbaug, DGM of Syndicate bank, Maheshwar Rao, Depty Commissioner, A M Kunjappa, ZP CEO, Mohan Rao, GM Corporation Bank, Ullal Kamath of IOC with the president of the Sangeet Bharati foundation Rafique Khan, all of whom inaugurated the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
The concert opened with a well-known welcome song “Kesarya Balamvaa Aavoni Maari Desh, Padharo Re Maari Desh” beautifully sung by the Langa party. After which followed a song called “Gorvan” which is a Rajasthani folk song describing the bedecking and decoration done to a camel. After this there was a jugalbandhi called Shubdasargi a har taal and sarangi jugalbandhi.
Immediately after this there was a graceful dance performance with swaying hips and hands by Rajasthani red gagra adorned maidens Maya and Anita with utensils balanced on their head. The famous Nimuda song in a hindi film was then sung in the traditional style by the party which received the maximum applause from the appreciative audience.
Taking the permission from the audience the Langa party then gave a virtuoso rendition of the Sufi Kalaam the famous ‘Dhama Dum Mast Kalander’ a big hit with the audience. Then there was a dance recital by an artiste Kumari Anita balancing seven earthern pots on her head and walking on glass plate and a sharp sword. Another song sung was the “Sajan Siti Mat Maaro – Man Dole Re” which was appreciated as well. The programme finally concluded after several exquisite renditions of folk songs and dance performances in colourful dresses by Rajasthani artistes.