MORE than 50 top Indian performing artistes will showcase their talents at a cultural extravaganza to be held in Bahrain later this year.
A local Bahraini band and a Bahraini dancer will also perform at the festival, organised by the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS).
The BKS Indo-Bahrain Cultural Festival 2022, from May 4 to 14, will mark 75 years of the club’s existence in the country. It will also celebrate 75 years of India’s independence and the golden jubilee of bilateral ties between India and Bahrain.
The line-up for the much-awaited event includes iconic artists Padmavibhooshan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Padmavibhooshan Umayalpuram Sivaraman as well as Bharatanatyam dancer Asha Sharath, Bahraini Kathak artist Khalil Alasar and Majaz Bahrain Band.
Tribute
“This festival will be an opportunity to showcase Indian art forms to a large section of international community in Bahrain. The event is expected to be the biggest of its kind in the GCC,” BKS president P V Radhakrishna Pillai told the GDN.
“We also expect dignitaries representing both the governments of Bahrain and India to attend the festival.
“It is indeed a matter of pride to showcase the richness of our country’s performance arts which is deep-rooted in our culture and tradition. There have been changes over the years, like the fusions and improvisations that we see in art forms like music and dance.
“The doyens in their respective fields will perform in this beautiful island, that is home to us and we, at the BKS, believe, this is the best tribute to Bahrain as the countries mark a milestone year.”
More than 1,000 spectators are expected to attend the 10-day programme every day, said BKS general secretary Varghese Karakkal.
“Relations between the people of India and Bahrain have been historical, deep-rooted and long-lasting – the year 2022 happens to be the Golden Jubilee year of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Bahrain,” he said.
“The festival is to commemorate these three milestones, and the programmes will be held at the BKS Diamond Jubilee Hall.”
On the opening day, Ms Sharath, a UAE-based dancer from Kerala, will perform to a renowned poem by late poet and environmentalist Professor Sugathakumari, titled Krishna nee enne Ariyilla (Krishna, you do not know me).
On a jugalbandi on the second day, alongside Padmavibhooshan Umayalpuram Sivaraman on percussion instrument mridangam are violinist Aattukaal Balasubrahmaniyam and pianist Stephen Devassy. A violin duet by Ganesh-Kumaresh, with Vidwan Patri Satishkumar on mridangam, has also been lined up.
Carnatic vocals by Abhishek Raghuram and Nithyasree Menon, veena recital by Rajesh Vaidhya, a performance by South Indian musical fame M Jayachandran are among other attractions at the festival.
The grand finale will feature Indian classical Sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan on a sarod trio with his sons Amaan Ali Bangaash and Ayaan Ali Bangaash.
raji@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))