Its all about Rains & Ragas

The first wave of monsoon concerts showers in ajmer it has so far seen sobre international sufi festival organized by the divine abode.The two day long monsoon festival held at Gallery Al Ikhlaas at historic Foysagar in Ajmer was awesome with cloud-busting notes of Miyan ki Malhaar and the somber Megh .This weekend saw a pure classical performance by sitar maestro Dr.Sudeep Rai along with Ustad Amjad Khan on tabla, showcased a perfect jugalbandi between the duo,captivating the audience for nearly two hours . Indian classical music and dance are highly sensitive to the state of nature,raga reflects the essence of the season “just close your eyes and sense the swaras and you see how does it work”says sitarist Dr.Sudeep Rai who himself hails from seniya gharana of Indian classical music the discendends of Miyan Tansen.The monsoon season have been beautifully depicted in traditional compositions using both literature as well as swaras of raga. The two day long festival showcased paintings by Michael Templine from Germany, Dr.Sudeep Rai from New Delhi, Begum Gulsha from Bangalore and Archana Tela From Ajmer. A large painting on monsoon colours was created as a back drop for perfect stage setup by Begum Gulshaa ,chairperson divine abode and the organizer of the festival. The malhaar theme itself draws audience to classical concerts .They may or may not get the finer nuances of the combinations of swaras and scale but it is impossible not to be moved by the grandeur of india classical music. www.sudeeprai.com

Monsoon Raga

MoNSoon 2012 Event held at Divine Abode's Al Ikhlas Gallery on the 6th and 7th July 2012.

Monsoon 2012 - Monsoon Ragas

Malhaar festival immerses the audience in monsoon showers. The two day event unfolds the several layers of creativity in different sessions . The first session Monsoon colours a series of group exhibition in various media by established artists from India and abroad followed by the classical music performance in the second session .

The first series unfolded with the painting exhibitions by renowned Artist Michael Templin, Dr Sudeep Rai, Gulshaa Begum, Archana Tela and Jitendra Patniwal

The event was inaugrated by Dr Brijesh Mathur, chief - Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital. He said ' The painting of Tansen is a tribute to the great musician. Monsoon Ragas – during the Medieval Ages when Rajput Rajas and Mughal Emperors , Kings and Nawabs in various states, patronised musicians, dancers and painters at their royal courts and treated them with great honour. The jewel among such artists was unquestionably Mian Tansen who was counted among the Navaratnas – nine gems – at Emperor Akbar's court. Honoured as the greatest musician India has produced.'

The second series began with the sitar concert by Sitar Maestro Dr Sudeep Rai and Amjad Khan on Tabla. Jha Saheb founder of Kala Ankur Academy inaugurated the evening by lighting the lamp. Jha Saheb Congratulated Ms Begum for bringing a change in the Art and Culture presentation to the City. He was highly appreciative of the efforts of Ms Begum and her involvement in art and culture.

The audience utterly spellbound with the soulful sitar recital at the Malhaar Festival "Monsoon Ragas" held at Al Ikhlaas Gallery in Ajmer.

Chairperson Divine Abode , director and organizer of the festival Begum Gulshaa tells that "the concept of paintings with music for the two day Malhaar Festival is truly the most beautiful representation ever to all the art and music lovers of the city. From Meera Bai to Tansen, From Lord Krishna to the gopikas there is everything which relates to monsoon in the paintings exhibited.

Dr.Sudeep Rai noted disciple of the Sitar maestro Pt. Debu Chaudhuri, rendered a soul stirring Raga Megh on his sitar.The accompaniment of the tabla by Ustad Amjad Khan of Delhi Gharana added rich colour to his deeply captivating performance establishing and maintaining a deeply profound atmosphere. The Duo performed in Ajmer for the first time ever. Dr Sudeep Rai said ' I am very particular about the ambience whenever I perform. Music is at its best when one performs at the right place where the spirits are high. I believe in perfection and to me everything must be of the similar standard.

Ms Begum Chairperson Divine Abode  is an artist of high repute herself. She congratulated the artist for their presentation which was immensely descriptive with multicolored visuals.

Chief Patron Divine Abodes Mr Shahid Siddiqui, Leader Samajwadi and Ex Mp Rajya Sabha said Rain and the magical season of Monsoon have always been the throbbing heart of Indian life and culture. Whether we are talking about music – classical, folk or devotional – dance, painting or sculpture.

MoNSoon 2012 will surely help in establishing a peaceful world order letting the audience experience divinity and eternal bliss through art and music said Mrs Naseem Akhtar, Honourable Minister for Education, Rajasthan.

I must appreciate the initiative Divine Abode has taken in promoting art and culture in Ajmer" said Sandeep Marwah President Marwah Studios who himself is an art lover.

Ms Begum further thanked the artist, the audience, Media Partner Marwah studios and On line partner Buzzintown.com for their support and co operation in the event.


Divine Abode
Foysagar Road
Ajmer - Rajasthan
Mobile: +91-7665555758
Website: www.isfiajmer.com
www.sufipaintings.com

MoNSoon Colours - 6th july 2012

Ajmer : The setting was perfect. As the rains drenched Ajmer, art and culture enthusiasts soaked in the spirit of the monsoon through art and music at the Malhaar Festival here.

The two-day festival that began on Friday evening is being organised by Divine Abodes Al Ikhlas Gallery.

The fest opened at Al Ikhlas Gallery here with a series of MoNSoon Colours paintings in various media by Artist from India and Abroad.
 Dr Brijesh Mathur, Chief Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital, Ajmer  inaugurated the festival by lighting the lamp along with other dignitaries Mr Ramesh Brahmavar, Mr Bakshish Singh (Author)

Paintings by Michael Templin, from Germany showcased his collection. Michael says the invitation gives a mystical impression.The fog and cloud make a secretly element.He send his greetings to visitors and artists from Germany.

Dr Sudeep Rai in his paintings have defined a perfect mystical mountain. Dr Sudeep Rai says ' Its a perfect way to welcome Monsoon Showers'....

Gulshaa Begums art draws its spirit from the classical raga Malhaar theme With the splash of rain , colours and musical hues .

Jitendra Patniwals portrait of surdas, meera bai and tansen is a representation of the medieval singers who are said to have been capable of invoking rains using various kinds of Raga Malhaar.

However The major attraction was the unveiling of the rare paintings , a collection of the Gallery with real gold hilkari work representing Malhaar and a life size painting of Lord Krishna with real gold work in Fatehsagar Lake welcoming the first shower of rain.

A large painting on MoNSoon Colours was created as backdrop for the perfect stage to be set up by Ms Begum Gulshaa, Chairperson Divine Abode , a mystical artist herself.

The festival draws its inspiration from the Classical Raga Malhaar ...an spokesperson from Divine Abode said.

Though the raga heralds monsoon, it brings out some of the sweetest melodies for all seasons.

On Saturday , the festival will see Sitar Maestro Dr Sudeep Rai, disciple of Padmabhushan Pandit Debu Chaudhari , on the sitar accompanied by Amjad Khan on tabla.

Inaugural Series of MoNSoon 2012

Good Evening: We cordially invite you to kindly attend the first series of MoNSoon 2012 event.

  MoNSoon   colours : The inaugural ceremony of MoNSoon Colours , a group exhibition of paintings by Michael Templin, Dr Sudeep Rai, Jitendra Patniwal, Archana Tela and Gulshaa Begum will be held  at Al Ikhlas Gallery, Foysagar Road , tomorrow at 10:45 am.

Chief Guest Mr Mohammad Hanif, Additional Collector, Ajmer will be lighting the lamp. 

Best Regards 

Gulshaa Begum

Chairperson

Divine Abode

Ajmer - Rajasthan

Website: www.isfiajmer.com

www.sufipaintings.com