Working wonders

Well-known percussionist Bickram Ghosh and his band, Rhythmscape, gave a grand performance at Hyatt Regency on October 15 as part of a fund-raising programme organised by Asha Bhavan. Kicking off with Desh, a composition set to raga Desh in a fusion format, Ghosh and his band went on to play the old-time favourite, Zinc, along with an evocative new age number, Sajna. Ghosh’s new composition, Inspiration, based on raag Gaoti, was also praiseworthy. But the steal of the show was Drum Jam, with Pandit S. Sekhar on the mridanga, Ghosh on his own innovation — the tabla kit, and Chiro on drums. It set the audience to the heights of fantasy with Ghosh once again proving that fusion music works wonders.

Saheli Mitra

Grace and balance

Prerna Centre For Performing Arts presented a kathak evening at Gyan Manch on September 9. Conceived and choreographed by Luna Poddar, the group recital, Krishna-katha, unfolded the various stages in Lord Krishna’s life with grandeur. Well-synchronised movements and colourful costumes made it a noteworthy experience. This was followed by a solo performance by Luna. A brilliant and experienced dancer, Luna proved her taiyari in her strong footwork and swift chakkars. Despite the crisp rhythm, the artiste maintained a soft gesture and grace. Pure dance and bhav complemented each other, providing balance throughout the performance.

Sharmila BasuThakur

Sensitive dramatisation

When theatre director Uma Jhunjhunwala read Ismail Choonara’s A River Across the Unseen Divide, a story about Shah Jahan’s last days as prisoner of his own son, what moved her was another sensitive tale lurking between the lines —that of the relationship between the emperor and his daughter, Jahanara, who was beside her father every lonely moment of his last few days. This relationship is as sensitively captured in Yaadon Ke Bujhe Huye Savere, Jhunjhunwala’s dramatisation of the story — translated into Urdu by Sabir Irshad Usmani — for Little Thespian. While Azar Alam as Shah Jahan is emotive, Heena Parvez conveys with subdued gentleness a daughter’s pain as she watches helplessly her once proud father crumble with age, ailment and loneliness. Suresh Dutta’s set and Joy Sen’s lighting beautifully recreate the effect of the Taj Mahal in moonlight.

Dola Mitra