"Mohe Bhaaye Na Doori Aisi Kanha Fagun Mein..." - An evening of Indian Classical Music to celebrate International Women's Day
Sunday, March 15, 2009

To mark the International Women's Day, recently an evening of Indian Classical Music dedicated to women was organised by Samraat Club Delhi Central (affiliated to Samraat Club International) in association with SABA Communications at Amaltas Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The musical evening had a performance by young and talented Ishita Aniruddha Thatte (Vocal) in Hindustani Classical and Sitar recital by well known artist Supriya Shah Shankar.

The musical evening was graced by the presence of renowned Odissi dancer Sharon Lowen along with Dr. Ravi Shankar Prasad (Ex-cabinet minister), his wife Smt. Maya Shankar Prasad, Smt. Shobhana Shah Mittal (Vice-President, All India Women's Congress) & Rohit Suri (Fashion Photographer). On this occasion Sanjeev Shankar, Ashwani Shankar, Yoga Guru Suneel Singh (President, Samraat Club Delhi Central), renowned musicians Tanmoy Bose, Leo Dombecki and Jasse Charnov, Kanhaiyya Lal Tejwani, Anshuman Pandey, Anand Verma, founder members of Samraat Club Delhi Central and many other people drawn from the world of art and culture were present. Pankaj Sukhija was the compere for the evening.

The evening started off with the performance of young Ishita Aniruddha Thatte. Ishita began with raag "Desh" and moved on to raag "Khamaj" as her second item where she sang 'Murali Ki Dhun', and ended her performance with a song depicting festivities of "Holi" "Mohe Bhaaye Na Doori Aisi Kanha Fagun Mein...". The voice modulation by Ishita clearly reflected her versatility. Presentation of 'Murli Ki Dhunn' in Raag Khamaj created excitement in audience and everybody was fascinated by this young enthusiastic talent. After this Ishita made her presence felt and highlighted each and everyone present there in colors of Holi. Though her teacher Surabhi Saxena could not make it but still she made her proud with this scintillating performance.

After Ishita, Supriya began her recital with alaap, jod and jhala in raag "Hemant". After that, she presented a masitkhani gat in vilambit (slow rempo) teen-tal. And presented two compositions in drut (fast tempo) teen-tal. She was joined on tabla by Sri Anup Ghosh and on tanpura by Alain Lutic. Her performance mesmerised the audience which included renowned Tabla player Tanmoy Bose who has performed with Sitar legend Pt. Ravi Shankar. The audience applauded her performance with big round of applause.

Prior to the concert, Suneel Singh felicitated the guests with bouquet of flowers and Smt. Sharon Lowen & Smt. Shobhana Mittal felicitated the artists.

After the concert, Samraat Suneel Singh thanked Ishita Aniruddha Thatte, Supriya Shah Shankar and all others for making this magnificent evening a successful one. He said, the aim of such programmes was to foster and promote the rich Indian art and culture amongst the people and keeping in mind Samraat Club Delhi Central (affiliated to Samraat Club International) had been established. "We plan to organise similar events and showcase musical talent and heritage from different regions of the country", he added.