Oz: Shiv Kumar, Chaurasia kickstart freedom concert

Aug 15, 2010 |

Melbourne

The two undisputed maestroes of Indian classical music — Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia — kicked off the “Freedom Concert 2010” here amid a standing ovation by the audience. The annual event, that celebrates India’s Independence day Down Under, started with a solo performance of legendary Santoor player Pt Shiv Kumar. The musician said that he never plans before his concerts and plays what comes to him mind.

In the last part of two hour programme, the audience was treated by the great flute player Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia who mesmerised Melbournians by his compositions and raagas.
The 71-year-old’s remarkable performance and a graceful jugalbandi with his tabla player that culminated into an extraordinary symphony forced the crowd to ask him to play more.
“Such cultural events are small initiatives that could prove helpful to repair the dented relations of the two sides following Indian student attack crisis,” said Sanjay Raina, the organiser of the event. The musicians will next perform in Sydney. —PTI

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