Cultural events galore have marked the past couple of months in Bangalore. 2003 ended on a high note with the resounding success of the Bangalore Habba, arguably one of the biggest festivals of art, music and dance staged in the country in recent years. 2004 has begun on a great note – the star event in January being the Laxminarayana Global Music Festival. There have also been performances by stalwarts like Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Ustad Zakir Husain, U. Srinivas, Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, to name a few. On 27 January began the month-long 8th East-West Music and Dance Encounter featuring 10 major events and about 300 artists, organized by the Bangalore School of Music in collaboration with Alliance Francaise. Of course, on the first Saturday of February, (7 Feb) is a much-awaited, spectacular Vasantahabba in Nrityagram; Bryan Adams follows the next day… Are we in Bangalore being left breathless by the cascade of cultural events?
A proud note: About the audiences in Bangalore. Artists who perform here have been overwhelmed by the awareness and appreciation shown by the audiences. Cultural events tend to run to packed houses of well-behaved, highly responsive connoisseurs.
A note of appreciation: Dance and music institutes are no longer confining themselves to staging performances of their own students. That there is more sharing and open-mindedness today can be seen in the way institutes are conducting seminars, workshops and festivals inviting other artists.
An interesting trend: Corporates seem to be going more and more for cultural shows for launching products, for celebrations and for other events. A trend that should enthuse all artists.
The issue of Drishti features Nrityagram, the unique dance village founded by the late Protima Gauri Bedi. We believe that such a remarkable institution should be more well-known so that serious, passionate students of dance can consider joining it to benefit from its unique mode of instruction.
Enough has been written everywhere about the Bangalore Habba. So our account is brief with just a few comments and photographs. However we would like to highlight Padmini Ravi of Artistes Foundation for the Arts (AFFA)’s call to artists and art lovers to come up with worthy projects for the arts that they are willing to support. An Approachable Foundation for the Arts!
In this issue, Drishti carries its unique art directory (updated with the latest contact details and expanded to include more addresses of artists and art-related establishments).
In this issue, Drishti carries its unique art directory (updated with the latest contact details and expanded to include more addresses of artists and art-related establishments).
With best wishes for an eventful 2004, we, as always welcome feedback and suggestions from our readers.
T.M. Vikranth & N. Narayan