From Classical Notes to Chhau Splendor, Day 3 Unleashes Artistic Brilliance at Sopan Festival

New Delhi, January 20, 2024: The third day of the Sopan Festival unfolded with a mesmerising array of performances that left the audience enthralled. After the successful first two days of the festival, the audience are in for some exciting performances.

The evening began with Rekha Pandey's enchanting Hindustani classical vocal performance, showcasing her sonorous voice. Her rendition featured Raag Shree - Vilambit Khayal set in Vilambit Ektaal. This was followed by Bandish ‘’Pawa mein doora se. Drut khayal set in teentaal—Bandish ‘karan de re’. She ended her performance with a Bandishi thumri ‘Aaj mori kalai’ set in teentaal.

Following this, Tushar Goyal took centre stage with a tabla ensemble. He presented a taal of 16 beats known as teentaal, in which he started the vilambit laya and played peshkaar, then continued with kaidas and relas, and concluded the recital with compositions like tukdas and chakkardaars. Pragati Pandey, a vocal scholar from Sahitya Kala Parishad, then mesmerised the audience with her exploration of different moods through alaap and taans in Raag Yaman, concluding with a spellbinding Tarana.

The cultural extravaganza continued with Partha Mandal's Kathak presentation, where intricate footwork and expressive movements painted a vivid picture. Devikaa Rajaraman's Bharatnatyam performance added grace and devotion to the evening. She began with the traditional Mallari, rooted in South Indian temple traditions. Evoking ceremonial processions, Mallari heralded the dancer's arrival on stage. Devikaa seamlessly transitioned into a Meera bhajan, "Basso More Nainan Me," popularised by Bharat Ratna M. S. Subbulakshmi. Expressing Meera's devotion to Krishna, the performance concluded with a mesmerising tillana, featuring intricate footwork and alluring body postures inspired by Indian iconography. The tillana, set to Ragam ragasree in Adi talam, paid homage to Lord Siva, captivating the audience with its spiritual resonance.

The day reached its climax with Kuleshwar Kumar Thakur's Chhau dance piece. Kuleshwar, a renowned exponent, brought his unique style to the stage, drawing inspiration from Mayurbhanj Chhau and various classical dance forms. His performance, rooted in dance, mythology, and collaboration with seasoned dancers, showcased a decade of expertise, making him a sought-after artist in Delhi.

As we look forward to the final day of the Sopan Festival, anticipation is high for more exceptional performances. On the concluding day, don't miss the opportunity to witness diverse talents and experiences, culminating in a grand celebration of art and culture.