National Convention is an annual event of SPIC MACAY which brings youth from
the entire country at a common platform where they exchange ideas, share
experiences and provide a way forward for SPIC MACAY to realize its
objectives. It provides the participants a platform for experiencing the
performances by great maestros and getting an insight into the culture and
music of India, its values and ethos. This year the National Convention of
SPIC MACAY was held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima. The week long
convention saw the scintillating performances by the maestros of Indian
Classical Music that left entire Kohima mesmerised. The convention was
organised by Nagaland University.
The week long convention was inaugurated by Sh. Mani Shankar Aiyyer, after
which folk artists from North East parts; Mizoram, Assam, Arunachal, Sikkim,
Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland and Manipur presented their colorful
performances and made their presence felt in between the presence of music
maestros. The performance was worth a watch as it was a complete gesture
given by these artists in a very different way.
Reliving the imagination of youths towards Indian Classical Music, Dance and
Folk Arts, SPIC MACAY's National Convention had performances by Khayal
Singer Ulhas Kasalkar who started with Raaga Multani followed by Raaga Marwa
& Tarana in his style. As usual Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia was at the top
with his brilliance that attracted people during the program. Alaap
Jod-Jhala and Taala Roopak performed by him were superb. Entire atmosphere
was captured by the Flute maestro while performing tunes of 'Mile Sur Mera
Tumhara', the sheer magic of Flute was equally supported by the Tabla of
Vijay Ghate. It was just the beginning for the Convention and then came the
musical magic by Misra Brothers; Pt. Rajan-Sajan Misra which left the people
and other guests going crazy to their tunes. Their performance on Vilambit
bandish in Raaga Pooria Kalyan "Payaliya Jhankar" and "Piya
Samjhaoon-Samjhat Naahi" in Chota Khyal Bandish in Drut Teen Tala was the
most attractive one. In his unique style Pt. Vishwamohan Bhatt presented
Raaga Madhurranjini (combination of Raaga Madhuvanti & Shivaranjini), during
his performance he brought smells of Rajasthan by performing 'Kesariya
Baalam Padharo Mhare Des', to attract the youth he also presented his Grammy
Award winning piece 'Meeting By The River'.
Besides these everyone also enjoyed the performances by Ashwini Bhide
Deshpande, Ustad Rahim-Fahimuddin Dagar, Abdul Rashid Khan and Kuttiattam
Dancer Kapila Venu. Whether it was music maestros or the upcoming performers
each and everyone's performance was noticed. During the course of programme
the youth also got the opportunity to learn from leading exponents in
various art forms by participating in intensives. The week long convention
was dedicated to Late Table Maestro Pt. Kishan Maharaj.
SPIC MACAY stands for 'Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and
Culture Amongst Youth'. It seeks to conserve and promote an awareness of
this rich and heterogeneous cultural tapestry amongst the youth of this
country through focus on the classical arts. SPIC MACAY has been exposing
students to renditions of the best of our heritage by leading exponents in
their respective fields. Growing acceptance, by both educational institutes
as well as leading artists, has helped SPIC MACAY, grow into a nationwide
movement in a short span of 31 years. SPIC MACAY is essentially a students'
movement. It works through a nationwide network of students and volunteers.
They meet weekly in all major cities to take the movement forward. Students
participate actively, by organizing the concerts, arranging publicity and
taking care of the artists. Apart from being able to understand the finer
aspects of the art forms, students benefit immensely from the direct
interaction with the artists.
- flaMbe entertainment
