Kiran Nadar Museum of Art has announced The Legacy Series, a magical evening that will unfold the pioneering performing arts of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya at Kamani Auditorium on February 9th 2024. The first of the series celebrates the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, the illustrious Mudgal family and their rich contribution to the cultural landscape of Delhi through performance and conversation.
The programming of the inaugural series is divided into three parts: The celebrated Gandharva choir’s stirring performance, led by Padma Shri Pandit Madhup Mudgal; a mesmerizing Odissi dance recital choreographed by Padma Shri recipient Madhavi Mudgal and an engaging panel discussion featuring the creative performers of the Mudgal family. The duration of the entire program is two hours.
The Gandharva Choir will present a selection from their repertoire. Known for successfully experimenting with classical and folk styles of music, the Gandharva Choir not only specializes in difficult classical forms such as Dhrupad, Dhamar, Varnam, Kriti and Tarana but is equally adept at patriotic, devotional and folk forms. Its extensive repertoire includes hymns from the ancient Vedas, compositions in the Hindustani as well as Carnatic styles of music, Rabindra Sangeet and modern experimental works involving the use of harmony.
“KNMA has always been supportive of the harmonious convergence of performing arts and visual culture. With our cultural vertical, we aim to nurture all forms of performing arts that serve as powerful mediums for storytelling and are dynamic and living expressions of culture. Through our constant engagements and endeavours to bring forth the rich traditions of our performing culture ecosystem, KNMA contributes to cultural richness and serves as a powerful vehicle for cultural representation and celebration,” says Kiran Nadar, Founder and Chairperson of KNMA.
It will be followed by a 20-minute panel discussion featuring Pandit Madhup Mudgal, Principal of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and Hindustani Classical vocalist, composer and conductor of the Gandharva Choir; Vidushi Madhavi Mudgal senior Odissi exponents, teacher and choreographer; Sawani Mudgal, a young Hindustani vocalist, teacher and Arushi Mudgal, young Odissi dancer and teacher. Moderated by Aditi Jaitly, the conversation will delve deep into the history of the Vidyalaya, the challenges in performing arts education and the role of institutions in propagating and preserving the arts in current times.
Aditi Jaitly, Senior Curator Performing Arts, KNMA added, “KNMA’s Legacy series unfolds an exploration of the rich tapestry of our cultural heritage through a celebration of families who have dedicated themselves to nurturing the arts through multiple generations and have been relentless in their approach to build vibrant ecosystems. In our maiden event, we pay tribute to the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Delhi and the Mudgal family’s profound commitment to music and dance.”
Bringing down the curtains to the evening will be a 30-minute Odissi dance performance titled ‘Vistar’. Choreographed by Madhavi Mudgal, one of India’s senior Odissi exponents, teacher and choreographer. The group performance will offer an experience of the traditional form of Odissi with a contemporary sensibility. It explores the possibilities that come to life when weaving the major strands of classical music, poetry and rhythm, each highlighting different aspects to create a multi-layered tapestry. The group will begin the performance with a meditative invocation called ‘Ranga Stuti’. It is followed by the piece ‘Abhinaya’ – an excerpt taken from the 18th-century Oriya poet Kavi Surya Baladeva Ratha’s poem, which is part of his literary work ‘Kishore Chandranan Champu.’ The final piece ‘Sphuran’ is a transcreation of musical impulse and motifs into dance movement and forms.
More than a year since KNMA announced the establishment of its cultural vertical, the museum has curated and presented a diverse array of performing arts events that reiterate its commitment to celebrating inclusiveness in the cultural space. The Legacy Series is an addition to this commitment, to shine a spotlight on multi-generational families in the arts and the stories behind them. This series is open to the public, and tickets are available for purchase online on Insider.
About Kiran Nadar Museum of Art:
Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) opened its doors to the public in January 2010. It is a pioneering private museum of Modern and Contemporary art in South Asia, with two spaces located in New Delhi and Noida. It is a not-for-profit institution with an extensive and creative engagement with exhibition-making, educational and public-focused programs, and publications. The museum houses a growing collection of more than 10,000 artworks from South Asia, with a focus on the historical trajectories of 20th-century Indian art, alongside the experimental practices of young contemporaries.
Image Courtesy – KNMA
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