An experience of Dawn to Dusk raags

Two sessions focussing on effectiveness of raags in different time-cycles were hosted on September 18 as part of Chaturprahar – An experience of dawn to dusk ragas at Mumbai’s National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). Three vocalists — Kaushiki Chakrabarty Desikan,Ulhas Kashalkar,and Devaki Pandit peformed at the event. With the changes in our lifestyle,Indian Classical performances are mainly held in the evening,and raags associated with other times are often not heard and some are even going out of vogue. Chaturprahar was a unique opportunity to experience raags that are conventionally associated with the time zone from dawn to dusk.

This connection of time of the day or night with a raag is based on a daily cycle of changes that occur in body and mind. According to ancient theory,the musician’s task in exploring the mood is made easier if the performance takes place at a time and in an atmosphere that is appropriate to the raag.

Strings and Things to Sing

In collaboration with The Stop-Gaps Cultural Academy,supported by Furtados and Musee Musical,Chennai,NCPA hosted a concert that featured The Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble,The Stop-Gaps Junior Choral Ensemble,Bel Canto (Pune) and The Madras Guitar Ensemble in the Strings And Things To Sing concert on September 4.

Their repertoire includes a large number of works ranging from Classical to Broadway and Popular Music. The programme featured an eclectic mix of classical works,pop and jazz and was about guitar tracks as well as choirs.