Flute Performance by Joshi and Padma Shri Ranjana Gauhar's Dance Create a Magical Finale at Malhar Festival

Udaipur: The two-day Malhar Festival, organized by the Western Regional Cultural Centre Udaipur, concluded on Sunday at the Darpan Auditorium, Shilpgram. The final day featured a mesmerizing flute performance by Shri Chetan Joshi and a captivating dance presentation by Padma Shri Ranjana Gauhar's troupe.

Furqan Khan, Director of the Western Regional Cultural Centre Udaipur, shared that the popular annual festival 'Malhar,' celebrating the monsoon, was highlighted by Shri Chetan Joshi's flute performance on Sunday evening at Darpan Auditorium, Shilpgram.

The audience was treated to a performance by internationally renowned flutist Pandit Chetan Joshi, who was awarded the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the President of India. During his performance, Joshi selected the monsoon rag, Madhu Malhar, in response to the heavy rainfall in Udaipur. He began with an alap, jod, and jhala in Rag Madhu Malhar, showcasing his unique technique of playing in the very low octave. Following a brief alap, he presented a vilambit rupak taal gat, featuring an extraordinary array of rhythmic patterns. He also sang the composition ‘Sakal Ghan Chhayo’ before playing it. 

Responding to the audience's requests, Pandit Joshi concluded his memorable performance with a traditional Banarasi Kajri. Senior tabla player Pandit Ashish Sengupta from Delhi provided skilled accompaniment, impressing the audience with his virtuosity, while Harija Pandey supported on the tanpura. Joshi's flute performance left an indelible mark on the audience.

The evening continued with a dance presentation by Padma Shri Ranjana Gauhar's troupe, featuring Kathak, Odissi, and Chhau dance forms. The performance aimed to celebrate India's cultural heritage and began with a call to the motherland, expressed through the lyrics "Jai Jai Janani Bhoodevi, Tujhko Baar-Baar Pranam," performed in all dance styles. Each style showcased a pure dance segment, culminating with a dance set to music composed by Pandit Ravi Shankar to mark his 100th birthday. The performance highlighted national unity through dance, featuring artists such as Vinod Kevin Bachan, Urjasvi Dutta, Swati Sharma, Lavna Chugh, Muskan, Stuti Pande, Arushi Lal, Arjun Kohil, Himesh Parcha, Pankaj Singh, Sriram Sankhla, and Vidha Lal. The lighting project was managed by Sandeep Dutta.

The event concluded with the honoring of all artists. The program was conducted by Siddhant Bhatnagar, and officials and staff of the centre were present. The distinguished artists' performances of classical music and dance made ‘Malhar’ a memorable festival.