Virasat Event

The final day of the event – Virasat, organized by Spic Macay was held at Eicher School, Sector 46, Faridabad.

The programme was inaugurated by the lighting of the lamp. Mr. Alok Mittal (Inspector General, National Invetigation Agency, New Delhi), Ms. Belina (City Magistrate, Faridabad), HCS Kaliramana, Sh. Kiran Seth (Founder of Spic Macay), Mr. HDS Malhotra (Chairman Good Earth Foundations), Ms. Bela Malhotra and Mr. Arjun Joshi (Director, Eicher Schools) were amongst us as special guests.

The first performance of the last phase of Virasat was by Padma Shri Guru Shovana Narayan, the famous Kathak dancer. She was accompanied by Ustad Shakeel Ahmed Khan who was playing tabla, Sh. Azhar Shakeel playing violin, Sh. Madhav Prasad playing harmonium and gave vocal accompaniment as well and Sh. Mahavir Gangani, a Pakhavaj player from Rajasthan. Guru Shovana Narayan told the audience about the meaning of the word Kathak and the various mudras of it. She also mentioned that in Kathak, we communicate through footworks. She appreciated Eicher School and Spic Macay to provide a platform to the children where they can come closer to the Indian Cultural Heritage. She first perfomed on ‘Vidushi Vandana.’ She also dedicated dance performance to Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. She even briefed that ‘bhav’- showcase the story without text; it is shown through mudras, mandlas, emotions and expressions. She performed a small part from the epic ‘Mahabharata’ through her dance. She also showed the movements of animals like snake, elephant and peacock through dancing. She showcased the 5 types of ‘ghoonghat’ and ‘nazar’ that fascinated the audience. She even danced on a small part depicting the life of Buddha, showing the sacrifice done by his wife Yashodhara. This part is taken from an epic written by Maithili Sharan Gupt.

In the end she finished by showing some amazing footworks. Every tabla beat of Ustad Shakeel Ahmed Khan matched Guruji’s every move perfectly and added charm to the entire performances. This was a lifetime opportunity for all of us to witness such graceful recital by an exponent of Kathak.

The second performance of the evening was by outstanding Khyal singers Sh. Rajan Mishra and Sh. Sajan Mishra. Their accompanists were Ustad Akram Khanplaying tabla, Sh. Sumit Mishra playing harmonium and Sh. Garun Mishra, the vocalist. They appreciated the hard work and dedication of the students of Eicher School. The duo sang the ‘Megh’ raga. It is rightly said that when they sing, they are one soul singing, even though they are in two bodies. The performance was so mesmerizing that the audience started tapping their feet.

In the end the duo sang a bhajan ‘Chalo Man Vridavan Ki Or’ on special request by the Commissioner of Faridabad. The audience was totally immersed in the magic of their transcendental music.

This brings an end to the event Virasat organized by Spic Macay in Eicher School, Faridabad. A token of gratitude was given to all the maestros who came and showcased their performances.