Spring Season Begins at Shilpgram with "Fagwa Brij Mein Dekhan Ko Chalo Re"

Udaipur: The three-day "Ritu Vasant" festival, organized by the Western Regional Cultural Center Udaipur, kicked off on Friday with a grand cultural evening at the open-air Rangmanch at Shilpgram. On this occasion, renowned musician Pandit Rajendra Vaishnav enthralled the audience with classical songs in Raga Basant. His melodious voice and the sweetness of Raga Basant filled the air with a musical essence that marked the arrival of spring.

During the event, famous Kathak guru Shama Bhate's dance troupe, Nadarup from Pune, also mesmerized the audience with their performance. The troupe presented a beautiful dance based on Raga Basant, where their movements and expressions won the hearts of the audience. The atmosphere at Shilpgram was immersed in the freshness of spring and the colors of art, making this event a memorable moment for local art lovers and cultural enthusiasts. The first day of "Ritu Vasant" saw a unique fusion in welcoming the spring season, with performances by Pandit Rajendra Vaishnav and Shama Bhate's Nadarup group.

Director of the Western Regional Cultural Center, Furqan Khan, mentioned that events like these aim to promote traditional art and music. The program was attended by Dr. Prem Bhandari, Dr. Pamil Modi, and several local art enthusiasts.

**Pandit Rajendra Vaishnav’s “Fagwa Brij Mein Dekhan Ko Chalo Re” – A Melodic Tribute to Spring**

Pandit Rajendra Vaishnav began his performance with the song “Fagwa Brij Mein Dekhan Ko Chalo Re, Fagwe Mein Milenge Kunwar Kanha Se,” in Raga Basant, singing a beautiful composition in three taal (meter). The song expressed the longing to witness Holi in Brij and meet Lord Krishna, creating a joyous and devotional atmosphere. He also presented other compositions like "Phulwa Bint Daar Daar" and "Gokul Ke Sab Kumhar Chandravadan Chamk Badir."

Accompanying him on the performance were Anupraj Purohit on harmonium, Master Kapil Vaishnav on tabla, Dimpy Suhalka on tanpura, and Vishal Rathore, who provided excellent support.

**Nadarup Pune Enchants with Kathak Performance on Raga Basant**

Under the guidance of famous Kathak dancer and choreographer Shama Bhate, the Nadarup dance troupe from Pune presented a captivating Kathak performance based on the sweet melodies of Raga Basant. The dancers’ graceful hand gestures, footwork, and expressions captured the essence of the spring season, bringing to life the beauty of classical dance and music. 

This presentation was a perfect blend of traditional classical art and contemporary choreography, showcasing Shama Bhate's creative genius. The performance not only celebrated the joy of spring but also highlighted the rich heritage of Indian classical music and dance. 

Shama Bhate explained that her troupe made a special effort to blend the emotions of Raga Basant with Kathak gestures, aiming to depict the exuberant spirit of spring. This presentation was not just a dance but a celebration of the vast traditions of Indian classical music and dance.

Additionally, Nadarup presented a traditional Kathak piece on the colors and emotions of Holi, adding depth to the festival's celebrations. This presentation, focused on the love between Radha and Krishna and the festive spirit of Holi, was brought to life with beautiful choreography. The dancers performed traditional Kathak movements, including tatkar (footwork), chakkar (spins), and bhava (expressions). 

The troupe also presented Bhairavi Chaturang, a mesmerizing fusion of tarana, literature, composition, and dance. This piece, based on the compositions of Girija Devi, Pandit Abhishek, and Suresh Pallavkar, left the audience spellbound. The program concluded with a presentation on Dashavatar. The choreography was done by Shama Bhate, with music by Narendra Bhide and Kedar Pandit, while Anup Joshi handled the lighting. All the artists were honored for their remarkable contributions, and the event was beautifully hosted by Mohita Dixit.

**Tomorrow’s Performance: Dr. Praveen Gangkar and Amit Gangani**

On Saturday, Dr. Praveen Gangkar, a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist, educator, and cultural organizer from Goa, will perform. He has received training in the rich traditions of the Agra and Jaipur gharanas and has been mentored by great masters like Pandit Ajay Chakravarty and Pandit Satyashil Deshpande. Dr. Gangkar excels in Thumri, Dadra, Abhang, and theatrical music.

Amit Gangani, a famous Kathak artist from the Jaipur gharana, will also perform. He received his training from his uncles Premshankar Gangani and Brijmohan Gangani. Amit has performed at various prestigious events across the country.