Seminar – The Aspect of Bhakti in Indian Music Traditions

In collaboration with the International Foundation for Fine Arts

Since ancient times, aspect of bhakti has been the mainstay of Indian culture and it is but natural that the element of devotion has its reflection in almost all music traditions prevalent in India. Besides bhakti sangeet, a genre which is completely identified with devotion/dedication towards the Ultimate creator and/ the Guru, there are myriad other traditions from folk and classical (art) to semi-classical and light music showing a marked influence of bhakti philosophy in varied measures.

Starting with the period around 1500 AD, this seminar aims to explore different genres and forms of music to understand relevance of the bhakti element. Besides academic deliberations by the experts on the origin and history of different forms, there will be ample demonstrations offered by reputed practitioners of respective genres.

Well-known artistes and scholars will deliberate on the origin, history and practice of different genres and forms with ample demonstrations.

RSVP: Usha Ayre – 9819907310 or email: usha.ayre@lemuir.com

Admission free on first come first served basis.

Schedule:

Jan 21, 2023
Session I: Keynote speakers  (10 – 11:30 am)
• Prof. Gaurav Gadgil – Bhakti – Concept, History & Practice –Indian perspective & similar concepts in other cultures (Sufi/Western etc.)
• Dhanashree Lele – Nav-vidha Bhakti & its relation to music

Tea break (11″30 – 11″50)

Session II: Bhakti Gayan (11.50 – 12.20 pm)
• Shekhar Sen – Introduction to Bhakti Gayan

Session III: Bhakti Gayan demonstrations (12:20 – 1:20 pm)
• Uday Bhawalkar – Dhurpad, dhamar
• Ajoy Chakrabarty – Khayal, tarana & thumri

Lunch break (1:20 – 2:20)

Session III : (continued) Bhakti Gayan demonstrations (2:20 – 3:50 pm)
• Aruna Sairam – Kriti, kirtanam, tillana
• Suresh Talwalkar – Significance of laya-tala
• Charudatta Aphale – Harikatha

Tea break (3:50 – 4:10 pm)

• Shruti Sadolikar – Haveli sangeet (4:10 – 4:40 pm)

Jan 22, 2023
Session IV & V : Bhakti Sahitya and its effect on Bhakti music (10 – 11.30 am)
(presentation and poetic recitations)
• Shekhar Sen – A perspective on North Indian poets
• Aruna Sairam – A perspective on South Indian poets

Tea break (11:30 – 11:50)

Session VI & VII:
Bhakti Dhara (11:50 – 1:20 pm)
• Manoj Shrivastava – Introduction to Bhakti Dhara

Bhakti Dhara presentation
• Sukanya Sarbadhikary – Baul
• Ajoy Chakraborty – Shyama sangeet

Lunch break (1:20 – 2:00 pm)

(continued) Bhakti Dhara presentation (2:00 – 3:30 pm)
• Salim Arif – Sufi genres
• Prof. Pradip Jyoti Mahanta – Bhakti dhara from Assam and Northeast
• Sukhpal Singh and Shri Harpreet Singh – Sikh shabad kirtan

Tea break (3:30 – 3:45 pm)

(continued) Bhakti Dhara presentation (3:45 – 4:45 pm)
• Anup Jalota – Sugam Sangeet
• Dr. Sharda Sinha – Bhakti lokdhara in Maithili, Bhojpuri and Awadhi

Concluding session (4:45 – 5:30 pm)
• Devdatt Pattnaik – Bhakti in contemporary times