Highlighting the rich variety of Indian classical music, Kalaa Utsavam 2020's Chakra-thon event featured performances from a host of artistes. Curated with National Arts Council Young Artist Award recipient Nawaz Mirajkar, Chakra-thon is a series of time-specific concerts that run during different times of the day from dawn to dusk during the first eight days of the festival.
"In Hindustani classical music, time-specific ragas evoke the cycle of diverse moods and emotions that we experience at different times of the day (prahar) and seasons of the year," a statement read.
The Chakra-thon performances were streamed live on YouTube and are available to watch online till December 20. Here's a look at scenes from the performances:
Rakesh Chaurasia (right) plays poignant night (rajani) ragas on his bansuri (flute). The nephew and disciple of flute maestro Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia delivers a stellar rendition of 'Krishna Rajani'. Photo courtesy: Esplanade
Sanjeev and Ashwani Shankar create auspicious sounds (mangal dhwani) of the shehnai whose musical scales induce positive vibrations and energy for the day ahead. Corresponding to the period between 430am to 6am. Photo courtesy: Esplanade
Anupama Bhagwat evokes sunrise melodies on the sitar with Pratah sangeet – literally “dawn music”. Photo courtesy: Esplanade
swara prabath or morning musical notes, performed by Manish Pingle on the mohan veena. Photo courtesy: Esplanade
Evoking the bustle of early afternoon, Sangeet Mishra rouses audiences with a vivid sarangi performance of the triprahar raga. Photo courtesy: Esplanade
Dhananjay and Ninad Daithankar soothe with the contemplative melodies of sangeet sayamkaal – music of the evening – played on the shimmering santoor. Photo courtesy: Esplanade
Debasmita Bhattacharya’s sarod reflects the reverie and romance of the twilight period between dusk and nightfall through raga sur sandhya – late evening musical notes. Photo courtesy: Esplanade
Arshad Ali Khan sings ratra (night) ragini (a derivative melody related to a raga), eloquently expressing a myriad of emotions from tenderness to gratitude for the day. Photo courtesy: Esplanade
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