Public Relations Department, Chandigarh Administration www.chdpr.gov.in Press Release

Chandigarh, April 25:- A musical evening was organized today by the INTACH where Smt. Shanti Hiranand performed , Dadra and . Smt. Hiranand sung the songs of . Speaker, Haryana, Vidhan Sabha, Dr. Raghuvir Singh Kadian was the chief guest on the occasion. The night was organized at Rock Garden, Phase III, Chandigarh. Smt. Hiranand was born in a business family from , she was interested in music even as a child. Her formative years as a student of vocal music were spent at the Music College in Lucknow, but she had to shift to Lahore in the early forties. She presented her first performance on Radio Lahore in 1947. Her family returned to Lucknow following Partition. She then began learning from Aijaz Hussain Khan of Rampur. During this period, she continued performing on All India Radio. In 1957, she became a disciple of renowned vocalist Begum Akhtar and received training from her in thumri, dadra and ghazal. 140 artisans from all states of the country have been camping here and displaying their art works. Thousands of people come to see the Mela daily. It is likely to become an annual event. Chandigarh Administration, NZCC and Development Commissioner of Handicrafts (Government of India) are the sponsors INTACH Crafts Mela. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) was founded by late Sr. Rajiv Gandhi for the promotion of Indian Culture and preservation and restoration of old Indian monuments. There are 104 Chapters in the country. Fifteen Chapters are in UK, Belgium, etc. INTACH is doing commendable work for restoration and preservation in Haryana and Chandigarh. INTACH started its awareness campaign to highlight the heritage of Bheema Devi Temple. Chandigarh Chapter is taking all possible steps for its restoration and preservation. Sh. S.K. Misra, former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister of India, is currently the Chairman of INTACH. Chandigarh Chapter of INTACH has 120 life member, consisting of eminent citizens from all walks of life including educationists, bureaucrats, artists and journalists. Sh. S.K. Misra, Chairman of INTACH, convener, INTACH, Chandigarh Chapter, Mr. V.K. Kapoor and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.