Festival to celebrate life of Begum Akhtar held

The Centenary Commemoration Festival of Mallika-e-ghazal and thumri-dadra virtuoso, Padam Bhushan Begum Akhtar commenced on Saturday at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya with an audio-video presentation.The programme was jointly inaugurated by Sarit Kumar Chaudhuri (Director, Manav Sangrahalaya), Veena Joshi, IRS (Joint Secretary, IGNCA) and Avinash Pasricha by lighting the lamp. After the inauguration, Avinash Pasricha explained the journey of making of the presentation on Begum Akhtar. Pasricha is India’s pioneer in photography of performing arts and music. He has photographed nation’s most eminent artist in his six decades long career.

 The presentation consisted the life story of Begum Akhtar with a display of pictures and music. Few dialogues by Begum Akhtar were also included. The occasion became more celebratory with presence of Begum Akhtar’s first disciple Shanti Hiranand. She shared various incidents from Begum’s life. later, another documentary on Begum Akhtar ‘Haye Akhtari’ was also screened.

On this occasion, a retired employee of BHEl, Kalim Akhtar narrated the story of Begum Akhtar’s last performance in Bhopal. Kalim Akhtar, who was instrumental in organising the programme at BHEl auditorium during 1973-74 shared the whole incident. Present on this occasion were various music lovers and fans of Begum Akhtar fulfilled queries about her. The programme has been organised in collaboration with NaadSaagar (New Delhi), Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Assistant Curator of IGRMS, Arun Kiro gave the vote of thanks.

The two-day festival commemorating Begum Akhtar commenced at Veethi Sankul Open Air Auditrorium with performance of  Vidushi Subhra Guha (Thumri-Dadra), followed by Janab Majid Ikhlas Hussain Qawwal & Group (Qawwali). Vidushi Subhra Guha started the evening with performance of Thumri. later, she performed Maj Khamaz in Kajri and Pitu and Khamaj in Thumri. The audience was mesmerised by her performance of various Dadra genres.