Festival of Indian Music 2023

Vijay Kichlu was an Indian classical singer. He studied Dhrupad with the Dagar Brothers and Khayal with Latafat Hussain Khan, whose style had a strong connection with Dhrupad. He and his brother, Ravi Kichlu, formed a famous classical vocalist duo. Kichlu was the founder and head of the ITC Music Academy for 25 years until he decided to retire due to change in management at the ITC headquarters. Kichlu founded Sangeet Research Academy for patronising and nurturing upcoming talents in Indian classical music. In 2018, he was bestowed with the civilian award Padma Shri by Government of India.

RAGA REVELRY is a fun introduction to the centuries-old tradition of North Indian classical music, often referred to as Raga music. For thousands of years, musicians have dedicated their lives to preserving this unwritten heritage that evokes a vivid range of emotions and moods and invites the listener to go beyond a limited perspective of self-awareness.

Performer and musicologist Vijay Kichlu’s journey to create a permanent sanctuary for this valuable inheritance, transplants the viewer to the center of Indian spirituality and culture. Heart-felt performances and interviews from legendary musicians along with the joyful camaraderie between the artists, unfolds the Rasa, the essence or soul of this music.

Woven into the narrative are fundamental music appreciation concepts of melody (raga) and rhythm (tala) with demonstrations by maestros. The film traces the evolution of this ancient sound, intended to praise the numinous from the origin, and is an invitation to deepen the connection to our spiritual selves.

The educational quality of the film is recommended by India’s premier national arts academy, the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Vijay Kichlu is a recipient of this Academy’s Ratna award, a rare and prestigious cultural honor bestowed on only 40 individuals at a time, as well as the Padma Shri civilian honor from the Republic of India.

Padma Shri Malini Awasthi is an Indian folk singer. She sings in Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Hindi, She also presents Thumri and Kajri. The Government of India awarded her the civilian honour of the Padma Shri in 2016. She is known for her contribution in Bhojpuri music.

Malini Awasthi is a regular performer at popular classical music festival, Jahan-e-Khusrau. She has a high pitch voice and is popular for vendition of thumari,Thaare Raho Baanke Shyam. She participated on to Imagine's junoon. She has appointed as the brand ambassador by Election Commision for U.P elections 2012 and 2014. She sang the song "Sunder Susheel" in the 2015 film Dum Lage ke Haisha which had music by Anu Malik.

Three Generation Sarod Quintet Keeping India’s ethos of traditions and legacies alive, Three Generation Quintet represents the 6th, 7th and 8th generation of musicians coming together on stage and performing together. The concert will feature Sarod Grand Master Amjad Ali Khan and his virtuoso sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash on Sarods. They will be joined by Ayaan’s 10 year old Twins Zohaan Ali Bangash and Abeer Ali Bangash. The family recently completed a five city tour in India.

Sarod Grand Master Padma Vibhushan Amjad Ali Khan- He is a recipient of the UNESCO Award, Padma Vibhushan (Highest Indian civilian award), Unicef's National Ambassadorship, The Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum and Hon'ry Doctorates from the Universities of York in 1997, England, Delhi University in 1998, Rabindra Bharati University in 2007, Kolkata and the Vishva Bharti (Deshikottam) in Shantiniketan in 2001. He has represented India in the first World Arts Summit in Venice in 1991, received Hon'ry Citizenship to the States of Texas (1997), Massachusetts (1984), Tennessee (1997), the city of Atlanta, Georgia (2002), Albuquerque, NM (2007)and the Key of the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Fort Lauderdale, Miami. April 20th, 1984 was declared as Amjad Ali Khan Day in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1995, Mr. Khan awarded the Gandhi UNESCO Medal in Paris for his composition Bapukauns. In 2003,the maestro received “Commander of the Order of Arts and letters” by the French Government and the Fukuoka Cultural grand prize in Japan in 2004.

His collaborations include a piece composed for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Yoshikazu Fukumora titled Tribute to Hong Kong, duets with guitarist Charley Byrd, Violinist Igor Frolov, Suprano Glenda Simpson, Guitarist Alvaro Pierri, Guitarist Barry Mason, Cellist Claudio Bohorquez and UK based Cellist Matthew Barley. He has been a visiting professor at the Stanford University, Indiana University, York University, Washington University , Stony Brook, North Eastern and New Mexico University. BBC Magazine had voted one of his recent CDs titled ‘Bhairav’ among the best 50 classical albums of the world for the year 1995. In 1994, his name was included biographically in "International Directory of distinguished Leadership", 5th edition. In 1999, Mr. Khan inaugurated the World Festival of Sacred Music with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 1998, Khan composed the signature tune for the 48th International Film Festival.

Amaan Ali Bangash, is the eldest son and disciple of the Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan and grandson of Haafiz Ali Khan. He belongs to the seventh generation in an unbroken chain of the Senia Bangash School. He was initiated by his father into the fine art of Sarod playing and gave his first public performance at age eight. Amaan’s musical style is marked by its precision in tunefulness, bold and resonant strokes, along with tradition and continuity of Indian Classical Music. Amaan’s performances have evoked creditable applause. Today, Amaan is considered one of the finest Sarod players in the world and has obtained a very special place for himself among music enthusiasts across continents. He is an inspiration for the younger generation of musicians. He continues to enchant audiences with his virtuosity, sheer brilliance and charismatic stage presence.

Ayaan Ali Bangash represents the seventh generation of a musical lineage known as the Senia Bangash School. The younger son and disciple of the Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan, Ayaan stepped into the world of music and the Sarod, at a very early age, with confidence, clarity, consistency and technical mastery all of which he learnt at his father's knees. Ayaan gave his solo debut when he was eight years old and has been performing concerts in India and abroad, since then. He has also assisted his illustrious father at concerts all over the world. Over the years today, Ayaan has carved out a special niche for himself in the world of music. His approach, vision and versatility make him an icon for the youth in the music industry. His contribution in making the Sarod a cross-over instrument in a variety of genres has projected him as an artist of high repute.