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Home , Alexander Lazarev, Aruna Mohanty, Balasaraswati, Marat Bisengaliev, Naseeruddin Shah, Satish Alekar

September 2018

ON Stagevolume 8 • issue 2

Star-Studded Season Zane Dalal | Alexander Lazarev | Marat Bisengaliev | Alexei Volodin | Nurit Stark NCPA Chairman Khushroo N. Suntook

Editorial Director Radhakrishnan Nair

Editor-in-Chief Oishani Mitra Contents Consulting Editor Ekta Mohta

Editorial Co-ordinator Hilda Darukhanawalla 14 Art Director Amit Naik

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NCPA Booking Office 2282 4567/6654 8135/6622 3724 www.ncpamumbai.com 08 Reflections 14 The Russians are Coming! On the power of AI. By Anil Dharker Zane Dalal traces the life and music of Rachmaninoff and Stravinksy – iconic contemporaries with the same roots, 10 whose lives intersected, but whose The Man Behind the Legend music could not have been more Alexander Lazarev is spoken of in the different. same breath as some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra. This month, 20 the Russian conductor will lead the Season Preview Symphony Orchestra of in a two- Behind the scenes of the work that goes images evening programme at the NCPA. into every season of the Symphony

By Beverly Pereira Orchestra of India. getty

2230 Letters to the Editor

On the Bandish talk at the Somaiya Centre for Lifelong Learning Excellent presentation by Dr. Suvarnalata Rao. It was in a simple language, easily understood with appropriate audio/video clips. – Shirish R. Shah

It was a wonderful event. The speaker was warm and informative. Overall an enriching experience. – Nivedita Deshmukh

A lovely talk with great insights for music lovers and even novices like me. Thank you for a brilliant evening. – Surabhi Deodhar

Very nice introduction to Bandish. Very good presentation for a novice. – Anshu K. Goil

Wonderful peek into the vast world of music. Very well-presented. – Mamtha

On The Wunderkinds I had the privilege of attending The Wunderkinds programme held on the 4th, and I use the word ‘privilege’ deliberately. It felt as if we were such as ’s seeing the future of music. The talent, the energy, the joy and the amazing Candide and unexpected 24 preparedness of the band left me speechless. Every single musician and Alexei Volodin gems such as Verdi’s Alzira, every singer was a joy to watch and listen. Some of the song choices were A Steinway artiste, Volodin is set Massenet’s Le Cid and Nicolò from my school days and sent me back in time. I wouldn’t call this show to perform two concerts at the Isouard’s Cendrillon. a talent scout, but a talent showcase. While each of the performers was NCPA this month. By Ashutosh Khandekar brilliant, I was especially thrilled to watch the young powerhouse Eshaan.

The boy’s vocal range and control were exhilarating. Keep putting on shows like this, and I assure you that even from word-of-mouth, you will 28 42 have a packed stage. January seems to be a long wait for the next event, Nurit Stark Billie, Ella and Aretha The Bloch specialist will perform but I surely look forward to it and will come with my children as it would Jazz vocalist Sanjeeta two concerts at the NCPA this inspire them as well. Kudos to the team. Bhattacharya is set to take on month. – Premod Gopinath the legends.

I had attended The Wunderkinds show on 4th August, 2018, with my 30 family. What a wonderful show it was! Although it was a show by Small Venues, Big Stars 44 youngsters, it was truly enjoyable and professional. I did not realise how Ramacharitamanas of By arranging classical music two hours went by. I felt like the show must have been at least for three Tulsidas concerts in smaller cities and hours. Wonderful talent indeed. All the performances are still ringing in Suresh Awasthi writes towns, the NCPA is taking small my ears. Waiting to hear from The Wunderkinds very soon. about how Tulsidas’s steps to create a big change. – Bindu By Shayonnita Mallik Ramacharitamanas influenced several Indian arts. 34 Follow us on: A Brush with Death 46 facebook.com/NCPAMumbai ’s Mahanirvan Programme Guide @NCPAMumbai is a farce that refuses to get All of September’s events at the cremated. By Reshma O. Pathare NCPA. NCPAMumbai .com/user/TheNCPAMumbai1 40 54 pinterest.com/ncpamumbai A Few Rare works What’s Next The UK’s opera season this year What to expect in the following featured expected favourites months. We look forward to your feedback and suggestions. Please do drop us an email at [email protected]. The Man Behind The Legend Alexander Lazarev is spoken of in the same breath as some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra. This month, the Russian conductor will lead the Symphony Orchestra of India in a two-evening programme at the NCPA. By Beverly Pereira

lexander Lazarev, one of ’s foremost Learning from the best conductors, needs little introduction Born in in 1945, Lazarev came from a family in the classical music community. But with no musical roots to speak of. Yet, he forged a an insight into his career and formative deep connection with the world of classical music years is imperative to understanding the from a young age. He was only 14 when he started profoundA grasp he has on both the historical Russian to attend operas and concerts on a regular basis. musical tradition and contemporary music by Russian It was the year 1959, a golden period for Soviet and foreign composers. Lazarev’s repertoire, best classical music, when composers such as Sviatoslav described as innovative in its scope, ranges from the Richter and were at the height of their 18th century to the avant-garde. musical careers. Lazarev says he tried to absorb as Masterful in the music of composers from the much music as he could during this period, adding Russian tradition, his performances are equally that he remembers the excitement of experiencing insightful, enterprising and authentic. As a uniquely visiting orchestras led by foreign conductors, such as empathetic interpreter of Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Zubin . Rimsky-Korsakov and Prokofiev, he firmly believes Lazarev received his musical education at two of in equipping himself with the holistic understanding Russia’s most prestigious institutions. He played the of the creation of an idea behind each piece. And bayan, a Russian folk instrument, and the piano; he yet, every one of his brilliant performances leaves was also adept at playing classical pieces adapted much to the interpretation of the listener. But, it’s his for the bayan. While most young people at the profundity of Shostakovich – having actually met the time were dispensed towards study and travel, he composer and witnessed several concerts during his was enrolled in the Soviet army at the age of 19. Alexander youth – that’s beyond debate. On turning 22, he was permitted to audition at the Lazarev NCPA September 2018 • 11 From 1987-1995, Lazarev was Orchestra for record companies such as Erato and both chief conductor and artistic Melodiya include Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 director of the , the first person in over 30 years and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 8, among other to hold both positions very commendable performances. simultaneously He also took it upon himself to refresh the repertoire of the historic theatre with a grand number of important works that had not been produced in a long time, including Mlada and Christmas Eve by Rimsky-Korsakov. It was during this glorious period in the history of the Bolshoi that Lazarev conducted Tchaikovsky’s The Maid of Orleans in a monumental debut at the theatre in 1990 in a production that marked the 150th anniversary of the Russian composer’s birth. These immensely successful productions, along with that of Glinka’s A Life for the Tsar, were also filmed for video at the time. Bound for new shores Lazarev was invited to lead another very prestigious orchestra, this time in the UK, in the final three years of his tenure at the Bolshoi Theatre. As the principal guest conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra from 1992 to 1995, Lazarev made noteworthy appearances at , undertook an extensive number of foreign tours and made recordings with the orchestra for Sony Classical. He gradually increased his reach as a guest conductor internationally, working with symphony orchestras and the occasional opera engagement. Between 1997 and 2005, the Royal Scottish National Opera, under the baton of principal conductor Lazarev, reached a new high. Besides recording for BIS and Linn Records, he also conducted the complete cycle of the Shostakovich symphonies. More recently, he led the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra as principal conductor from 2008 until 2016. Covering an important body of work spanning Rachmaninoff to Prokofiev to Shostakovich, Lazarev is well-represented on Octavia Records and continues as conductor emeritus on its distinguished roster. Back home, he regularly guest conducts the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and the Philharmonia Orchestra and has performed with both orchestras in London, Paris and Vienna. This St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he studied music in many ways, cementing his decision to become group of players was sympathetic month, when the maestro conducts for a year. Soon after, he transferred to the Moscow a conductor. to modern music and eager to Successes and the Symphony Orchestra of India State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, specifically to the explore the repertoire. recognition followed (SOI), one can expect performances class of Leo Ginzburg, the reputed Soviet conductor Accolades and explorations Less than a decade later, he marked by vivid interpretations of and pianist of Polish-Jewish origin. Successes and recognition followed Lazarev became the first person in over Alexander Lazarev great scores. Arriving with an open Ginzburg, before he became a professor, studied through the years as he navigated the world of 30 years to hold both positions as he navigated the mind on his first trip to India, Lazarev and worked with Hermann Scherchen, who had an historic and contemporary music in Moscow. He won of chief conductor and artistic world of historic and is looking forward to working closely affinity for the contemporary and avant-garde, and first prize in the ’s national competition director of the Bolshoi Theatre. with the SOI and engaging with the other great conductors such as for conductors in 1971, and in the following year, he He remembers his stint at the contemporary music audience through music. “To be able and . Naturally, Ginzburg’s teachings was awarded the first prize and gold medal at the storied theatre, from 1987 to in Moscow to conduct Tchaikovsky on the shore were more than just tinged with a distinctly European prestigious Karajan Competition in . Lazarev’s 1995, as a period of extreme of the Indian Ocean is like a fairytale aesthetic, which was a novelty for the young Lazarev engagement with the Bolshoi Theatre began in 1978, activity. Under his leadership, for me,” he says, adding that he’s whose musical influences were otherwise restricted when he founded the Ensemble of Soloists of the the Bolshoi Opera embarked on a series of foreign anticipating with pleasure everything that’s not to to the closed Soviet society he was brought up in. Bolshoi Theatre with the sole aim of disseminating tours, starting with Tokyo in 1989 before moving be expected. Lazarev graduated with first-class honours. Even contemporary music by both Soviet and foreign on to notable stages such as Milan’s La Scala, New today, he tremendously reveres the late Ginzburg for composers. Much like the Russian equivalent of York’s and the Alexander Lazarev will conduct the SOI on 4th and teaching him the finer nuances of and, the Frankfurt-based Ensemble Modern, this flexible Festival. His recordings with the Bolshoi Symphony 8th September at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre.

12 • September 2018 NCPA NCPA September 2018 • 13 HISTORY Igor Stravinsky

Sergei Rachmaninoff

TheThe RussiansRussians areare Coming!Coming! Zane Dalal traces the life and music of Rachmaninoff and Stravinksy – iconic contemporaries with the same roots, whose lives intersected, but whose music could not images have been more different. getty f any of our ON Stage readers remember the preparation for our forthcoming performances. a constant background. His father was a military the composer’s talent. At the time, Rachmaninoff Norman Jewison comedy from 1966 with Carl man, and the martial impulses that drove his first had to take psychological therapy to try and get Reiner and Eva Maria Saint (The Russians Are Rachmaninoff’s journey symphony in 1895 remained throughout. His father over his depression, which he did ‘in trumps’. The Coming! The Russians Are Coming!), they will Rachmaninoff did not come from a well-to-do family. drank heavily and womanised relentlessly, forcing second piano concerto, which we all love so much, also recall that the 1950s had been a ramp up He could certainly not claim aristocracy as Stravinsky his mother to leave the relationship quite early in was the next piece and dedicated to his therapist, to the possibility of nuclear war. The timing could, and would, but did have aristocratic ancestry Rachmaninoff’s life. He never saw his father again. Dr. Dahl. of comic relief, after John F. Kennedy and Nikita traceable to the 17th century. His road to success If there is one overriding quality that Rachmaninoff Rachmaninoff’s recovery resulted in concertising IKhrushchev stared each other down over Cuba, was was perhaps less obvious and less charted than possesses and demonstrates constantly, in a way that and conducting the Bolshoi, including concerts in not lost on anyone either. The Cold War continued, Stravinsky’s. The young Rachmaninoff, a dynamo has never been (and is likely never to be) rivalled, is Dresden and the US for the first time. His concerts culminating in the Reagan administration’s pursuit of of pianism, was admitted to the St. Petersburg his creation of melody. He drew on endless inspiration in the US would lead to extraordinary success, Star Wars, and the fact that the USSR did not have conservatoire at age 10. He was a remarkable pianist to create melodies that were brand new, but give where he would typically play his piano concerti the power or, most importantly, the money to face of extraordinary power, clarity and tonal scope. All of you the impression you’ve heard them before. He to great acclaim. Can you imagine two world off with the United States. Just a few years later, that is audible in his compositions and in his fantastic gives you a melody that might unwind for a whole premiere performances of Rachmaninoff’s Piano after glasnost had spread through Eastern Europe recordings, available to us today. Aided by his large minute-and-a-half, without the listener ever thinking, Concerto No. 3, in New York in 1909, with Gustav and the new Russian Federation normalised relations hands (not quite Marfan syndrome), he could place with the US, there was an extraordinary influx of almost any chord, in any combination, and make Russian emigrés to Southern California, especially giant leaps all over the keyboard with comfort and Los Angeles. Today, as one drives around Hollywood, ease. Imagine a keyboard – imagine stretching a the delicatessens and shops that once lined the comfortable, unstretched, relaxed octave with your road have been replaced by Russian delis, Russian hand and bring it down. Rachmaninoff’s hands doctors, Russian care centres and Russian shoe reached a 15th (C-G) with the same ease. If he were shops, all replete with typography in Cyrillic. Reagan’s playing a scale, there would be no daylight between ‘evil empire’ has taken up residence in his former his fingers. That said, his playing and his compositions backyard, proving all the Cold War propaganda to be had an improvised orchestral feel, spurred on by his utterly false and ridiculous. Nevertheless, it was not the first time there had been notable Tchaikovsky’s relationship to music of Russians in Hollywood. There was a golden era in Los Angeles, the Russian Orthodox Church remained when Alma Mahler, the composer’s wife, , Arnold a connection. During his childhood, his Schoenberg, Igor Stravinsky, , Otto home was equidistant from the church Klemperer, , Thomas as it was from the theatre. Both places of and Heinrich Mann, Bertolt Brecht, singers such as Lotte Lehmann, and worship, both adored instrumentalists such as Jascha Heifitz, all lived within minutes of each other, and all met frequently and interacted active introduction to the wonders of the Mariinsky socially. Those were the years when a fledgling city Theatre, where extraordinary things were going on. founded on nothing but the movies, reliably sunny His friendship with the great Russian bass Feodor weather year-round, a wing and a prayer, found its Chaliapin grew in this period, and both learnt from way into the list of great international destinations. each other. His introduction to piano classes in What is particularly remarkable is that two of these, Moscow through Alexander Siloti led to a relationship THE ALL-NIGHT VIGIL Stravinsky and Rachmaninoff, were almost exact with Siloti’s lover, Tchaikovsky, and thereby an An a cappella choral composition by Rachmaninoff, the piece consists of settings of texts taken from contemporaries with the same roots and traditions, introduction to the fullness of orchestral sound. His the Russian Orthodox all-night vigil ceremony now transplanted thousands of miles away from their relationship to music of the Russian Orthodox Church homeland: both pining for home, both extraordinary remained a connection, as it was geographically in his “Okay. I know where this is going.” Rather, he is Mahler as the conductor of the second one? In this musicians, both pianist-composers, both conductors, childhood: his home was equidistant from the church always anticipating the new vista, the new horizon, heady atmosphere, Rachmaninoff slowly became both of their lives intrinsically informed by their as it was from the theatre. Both places of worship, or as Valery Gergiev describes it, “the new door a household name, but never distant from poverty. music and their performances of it, and both so very both adored. that is constantly being opened”. His first symphony He, as many emigrés found, had to work relentlessly different in approach and in result. Further, the two One cannot fully understand Rachmaninoff without was a public disaster. Friends remarked that they to make money. One tour, extended by the Boston works this season, both of which I have the privilege contemplating the choral music traditions of the thought Alexander Glazunov, who was conducting, Symphony Orchestra that Rachmaninoff turned of leading with the Symphony Orchestra of India, are Russian Church, and the sonorous harmonies that was drunk. The concert was badly planned, with down, involved doing 110 concerts in 30 weeks. He the Piano Concerto No. 3 by Rachmaninoff (1909), accompanied his thought processes throughout two other new works, and badly rehearsed by hated the crowds. and the Firebird Suite by Stravinsky (1910). These his life. Similarly, one cannot fully appreciate Glazunov, according to contemporary accounts two works, just a year apart, allow a glimpse into the Rachmaninoff without taking into account theatre from the orchestral players. Nevertheless, the critics, Stravinsky’s journey world of these composers, who at the time had not and, in particular, the opera. It was at the Mariinsky particularly César Cui, one of the ‘mighty five’, hurled Igor Stravinsky, on the other hand, had no desire or yet left the pre-revolution Russia of the tsars. I was that he made his decision to become a composer. abuse at a still very young and impressionable man destiny to end up at the St. Petersburg conservatory. immediately struck by the juxtaposition of these two There is another styling in his compositions, which in his twenties, and Rachmaninoff went into a state of Also a pianist by early definition, he, through family works and these two men, and hope my findings will be is instantly audible. There is a militaristic streak depression. The work is actually marvellous, precise, connections and his upper-class introductions, found

of interest to read, as well as provide some audience of rhythmic clarity, which appears, without fail, as visionary, complete and a fine primary statement of his way into the circle of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. shutterstock

16 • September 2018 NCPA NCPA September 2018 • 17 Rimsky taught him a great deal about orchestration taken out into the streets, where he looked down to Stravinsky came to Los Angeles, and particularly, Rachmaninoff died on 28th March, 1943, at 610 and about the sonority of notes. He professed to see rows of policemen there to guard his safety. He Hollywood, for the same reasons that so many Elm Drive, Beverly Hills, CA. He wished to be buried Stravinsky that he was completely self-taught, but recounted later that Diaghilev was less satisfied with musicians of the day did: money, fame and fortune. in Moscow, besides Scriabin, but his US citizenship Stravinsky noted later that Rimsky was blessed with the success of the piece as much as he was miffed What the movies could bring, a year of concerts made that impossible. He was interred at Kensico a very sharp ear and excellent musical instincts. He and jealous at the rousing audience reception of could not. It is why we have some extraordinary Cemetery in New York. put a premium on these, and Stravinsky, who was Stravinsky, and not him. There was no doubt that footage of great musical figures, operatic and Stravinsky lived at 1260 N. Wetherly Drive, West not very good at studies or being a student, found Stravinsky had extraordinary talent. His style, unlike instrumental, subjecting themselves to sometimes Hollywood, CA, for 20 years and for another nine himself accommodated by a great composer on an Rachmaninoff, was conceived largely at the piano, great, but sometimes equally cheesy theatrics, years down the street at 1208 N. Wetherly Drive. He informal schedule. Had he gone to the conservatory, and not orchestrally. Despite his training from Rimsky, under the aegis of ever-powerful film-makers, was a star from his arrival in 1940 to his departure for he later remarked, he might have not survived the he stated that he always thought of harmony and more concerned with commercial results than New York in 1969. He died there two years later, with gruelling, arduous and sometimes demonic treatment intervals in pianistic terms – typically what his hand with art. Stravinsky was a hero to the press, an his wife and Robert Craft at his bedside. of students. Our own Marat Bisengaliev talks of the could reach. So I put forward with some certainty, iconic Hollywood figure. For his 80th birthday, he Both men, more than anything, would have liked to rigours of training in Russian conservatories, and that whereas Rachmaninoff wrote symphonically was celebrated and fêted all over; as a point of have been reconnected with the land of their birth. it is not an experience for the faint-hearted. There for the piano, Stravinsky wrote pianistically for the comparison, that year his name appeared in the Rachmaninoff’s objections to the Stalin regime, is healthy competition, there is unfair competition, symphony, in a precise, rhythmic, taut calculation there is cynicism and almost no encouragement, that would morph into several different formats except that which comes from mastering your craft. through his life. Rachmaninoff remained the font This prepares you for your life ahead, but just as of the same style, whereas Stravinsky would go easily breaks you before you get there. through a neoclassical period of looking back into The Mariinsky was of huge import to Stravinsky, as the dance forms and sonorities of the 16th and 17th it was to Rachmaninoff. They both lived in walking centuries. Later, an avant-garde style would make distance of it. The idea of theatrical pieces impacted his champions wonder why they couldn’t understand Stravinsky, and so one of his first forays was to write his chord progressions anymore – all conceived and Fireworks – a piece to commemorate the wedding of calculated at the piano. Rimsky’s daughter, Najda. Rimsky had passed away, just a little while earlier, and the piece was The Mariinsky Theatre was of huge as much an homage to him as a celebration of the wedding. It was import to Stravinsky, as it was to to be a fortuitous event. There in the audience sat Sergei Diaghilev, Rachmaninoff. They both lived in walking who was immensely impressed, thus beginning a lifetime of distance of it. The idea of theatrical pieces collaboration, not always as easy impacted Stravinsky, and so one of his as is suggested. The year 1910 brought the first forays was to write Fireworks commission of the Firebird Suite at Paris, which was instantly going to become one of Stravinsky’s home turfs. Stravinsky The Hollywood Years held three citizenships: Russian, US and French. How is it that these two luminaries came to be in The success of Firebird with Diaghilev was, in my Hollywood? Rachmaninoff’s reasons are slightly view, a direct result of being in Paris. Paris was the different to almost everyone else. He, as far as he bohemian place to experiment and be accepted. enjoyed America (which he didn’t), preferred to be Diaghilev, already at arm’s length from the Russian a New Yorker. It was only his failing health that had THE MARIINSKY THEATRE establishment because of his affairs and scandals him consider a warmer climate, and even at the end, On Stravinsky’s 135th birthday last year, the Mariinsky celebrated with a pair of concerts featuring music surrounding Vaslav Nijinsky, found a home for his he was concertising all over the country, despite his from different times in his career troupe and his art in turn-of-the-century Paris. melanoma which was progressing at a rapid rate. He I wonder if Stravinsky would have received the was undoubtedly famous as a pianist, and it was for press about 30 times more frequently than Marilyn reported in the press with Count Tolstoy’s, made resounding reception he did, had his works been this that he crisscrossed the country. His last concert Monroe, and about 30 times fewer than Frank that impossible. Stravinsky lived long enough to be performed in Russia first. was in Knoxville, Tennessee, in spite of doctor’s Sinatra. invited back to Russia in 1962, by Khrushchev. The Nevertheless, following the enormous success of orders. He nevertheless set up home in Beverly Hills, That Hollywood hosted these extraordinary whole world had claimed Stravinsky as their own, and Firebird in 1910 came The Rite of Spring. Stravinsky and Stravinsky and he met socially. They didn’t talk figures, not just in their dotage, but during creative he was already a US citizen. Stravinsky did return, recalled to his protégé Robert Craft in his later about their music, both considering the other to be periods, and that these two had known as friends, but not before acknowledging that the Russian state years in Hollywood that Diaghilev came across irrelevant, but did talk about Mother Russia and the Cocteau, Picasso, Diaghilev, Chaliapin, Tchaikovsky, thought little of him or his music. as an Oscar Wilde figure: patronising, patriarchal, problems that their children faced in France. There is Rimsky-Korsakov, Nijinsky, Mahler, Schoenberg elegant, with tremendous panache, but a unique the extraordinary account of Rachmaninoff showing and countless others, is an extraordinary fact. They Zane Dalal serves as Associate Music Director of caricature of himself. After the ballet performed up to dinner at Stravinsky’s at the invitation of Vera not only brought that rich heritage to the West the Symphony Orchestra of India and is a frequent The Rite of Spring, under Diaghilev’s direction, it Stravinsky. Rachmaninoff, a looming, lanky, huge Coast, but created a school of American musicians contributor to ON Stage. He will lead works by was performed in concert version, conducted by man, was received at the door by the diminutive, that holds this heritage in their hands today. It will Mozart, Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky with the Pierre Monteux. The concert rendition of the piece bespectacled, professor-like Stravinsky. An unlikely be awhile, if ever, that Hollywood achieves the Symphony Orchestra of India on 16th September was such a resounding success that Stravinsky was pairing, until Rachmaninoff produced a jar of honey substance of those extraordinary years that began at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre. He also blogs at

lifted by the audience onto their shoulders and he had brought, knowing that Stravinsky loved it. in the 1930s and 1940s. www.zanedalal.com/blog. alamy

18 • September 2018 NCPA NCPA September 2018 • 19 ARCHIVES

Rasamanjari, Gita Govinda and Ragamala Asia having a strong Ramayana tradition. out in painting, sculpture and tableau paintings. But the artists of this school Apart from the Ramayana miniature vivant before they were adopted in the also painted several episodes from the paintings in North India, the theme was theatre. This similarity of principles and Ramacharitamanas of Tulsidas Ramayana. It seems that the artists used also popular with painters working during conventions between the Ramayana ON Stage brings you excerpts from the NCPA Quarterly Journal, an unsurpassed literary archive that ran from one of the recensions of the Valmiki the 18th and 19th centuries in Orissa, painting and Ramleela is of special Ramayana for their paintings. These Bengal, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Mysore, interest both to the students of theatre 1972 to 1988 and featured authoritative and wide-ranging articles. In the second part of a two-part series, paintings were executed during the and Kerala. The artists and of painting. It may be difficult to Suresh Awasthi writes about how Tulsidas’s Ramacharitamanas influenced several Indian arts. middle of the 18th century. The glowing painted individual miniature paintings determine as to who borrowed from colours and the feeling of abundance of the depicting some of the important episodes whom, but there is no denying the fact Ramayana paintings in the Basohli style or they illustrated a complete manuscript that the Ramayana tradition co-existed The theme of Ram is ideal material, DUAL PURPOSE of poetic literature in . This poetic confer on it a distinct character of their or one of the kands. In these illustrations in these two art forms and there was and it has attracted artistes through the Apart from enriching the Ramleela, the literature dealing with the love legend of own. The landscape in these paintings, sometimes the artists used the Ramayana constant exchange between the two. We centuries. It served as an excellent theme Ramacharitamanas has also inspired , the nayak-nayika theme and the though decorative, seems to play a role in in the language of the region. It was find a similar situation in the case of the for dramatic presentation. It has been and enriched our traditional painting musical modes, raga Ragini, served as the . similar in spirit to the mode of the artists Krishna paintings and the Krishna legend extensively performed in a variety of styles. Drawing inspiration from the excellent material for miniature paintings of the north who painted the Ramayana theatre, the Rasleela, which co-existed for theatre forms and dance styles in different Ramacharitamanas, the Ramayana with their dominant lyrical character. OTHER ADAPTATIONS theme, drawing inspiration from the two centuries. regions of the country. Kathakali, episodes were painted from the 17th The Ramacharitamanas held a distinctive Akbar got the Ramayana translated into Ramacharitamanas of Tulsidas. One of the main features of both the yakshagana, ankiya nat and the chhau to the 19th centuries in different place in art along with the other literature Persian; the text was also illustrated. The The artists followed the same principles Ramayana theatre and the Ramayana dances of West Bengal, all deal with styles of miniature paintings. The in Sanskrit and Hindi painted by Pahari artists seem to have taken the cue and conventions for organising the paintings is the simultaneity of action the theme. The theme of Ram is used in Ramacharitamanas written in Awadhi the artists. from the Mughal painters and chosen various units of action as in Ramleela. The and the multiplicity of locales. The almost all forms of puppet theatre, such made the story so popular that the The Ramayana paintings have a the Ramayana as a subject from the problems and the solutions of treating main action portrayed in a painting or as leather puppets, glove special dramatic quality; early 17th century onwards. While some time and space and organising the action presented in drama is subdivided into puppets, rod puppets and Ram and Sita as the pictures look like artists painted only selected episodes are the same in painting as in theatre. several action units. The dramatic locale marionettes. depicted in jhanki a dramatisation of or kands, the others painted the entire These solutions were perhaps worked is never static, and the play of the painting The Ramayana theatre the story. There is Ramayana. It is interesting to note that seems to move from one locale to another, is the richest and the progression of action. the Ramacharitamanas was also painted The theme of Ram from one action unit to another. We also most representative form There is a definite in centres outside the Hindi-speaking find that the Ramayana theatre,Ramleela of our traditional theatre, scheme and a pattern of regions. There are scroll paintings based is used in almost and the Ramayana paintings use several both in terms of the story organising the action on the Ramacharitamanas done during levels for the presentation of action. This and the spoken-word and the scenic units. the early 19th century in centres outside all forms of puppet helps the artists both in the theatre and material, in terms of The artists seem to be the Hindi-speaking region. theatre, such as in painting to achieve simultaneity and music and dance content primarily concerned As in the field of the performing arts, multiplicity of action. and production styles. It with the telling of so also in the plastic arts, the Ramayana leather puppets, glove is also an enduring and the story and relating theme has always attracted artists This article first appeared in theNCPA significant element of our it dramatically. The throughout the centuries not only in India puppets, rod puppets Quarterly Journal in September 1973 traditional culture and dramatic characters are but also in many countries of South-East and marionettes (Vol. II, No. 3). represents the life of the kept at a focal point. It people in its totality: their is always the characters A portrait of Tulsidas, painted beliefs and ideals, their in these pictures who in the 19th century conduct and customs, attract our attention. their arts and crafts. Of the several The Ramayana theatre Ramayana series in represents an integrated different schools of approach to theatre, incorporating painting, one that exists today in 28 elements of the literary, plastic and allied There is no denying pictures belongs to the pre-Kangra school. theatre arts; it is total theatre. The stylised These pictures contain on the reverse costumes and make-up are integral to the the fact that the the verses from Ramacharitamanas, total scheme of stylisation and provide Ramayana tradition describing the action portrayed in the a basis for a non-realistic approach to picture. There are scattered copies of the the theatre. The imposing headgear co-existed in theatre Ramayana with paintings of the Mewar and stylised make-up used in Kathakali school, executed during the middle of and yakshagana are extremely effective and painting and the 17th century. There are some large- devices of stylisation. The masks and there was constant size paintings of the Ramayana done in make-up of characters such as Ravan, the Kangra kalam during the mid-18th Hanuman and Garuda have attracted the exchange between century. A copy of the Ramacharitamanas greatest attention and inspired craftsmen illustrated at some period of time during to evolve stylised approaches, resulting in the two the early 19th century is preserved in a variety of conception and interpretation traditional artists readily responded to its the palace library of the Maharaja of of these characters. The embroidered appeal and painted the Ram story. Ramnagar, near Varanasi. zari mask of Ravan used in the Ramleela In the 15th century, the practice of In point of view of subject material, archives in Ramanagar is a most exquisite painting in Northern India was greatly the Basohli paintings are really known piece of art. influenced and enriched by the growth for illustrating the Bhagawat Purana, ncpa

44 • September 2018 NCPA NCPA September 2018 • 45 Parthiv Gohil, 1st, …………………………………………. with Orquestra del , Tata Theatre Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della Wednesday, 5th September – Rai, NHK Symphony, The Mariinsky, Programme Guide 7.00 pm Rotterdam Philharmonic, the Swedish (Programmes are subject to change. Please check the website and refer to our emails for updated information.) September 2018 Tata Theatre Radio and Danish National Symphony (approx. 80 mins) orchestras under the batons of Kent THEATRE FILMS / SCREENINGS INDIAN MUSIC INTERNATIONAL MUSIC Nagano, Alexander Vedernikov, Valery Nurit Stark, violin Gergiev, and Dima PHOTOGRAPHY & EXHIBITION PRESENTATIONS & DISCUSSIONS DANCE MULTI ARTS Cédric Pescia, piano Slobodeniouk.

Mozart: Violin Sonata No. 20 in C major, Tickets: `600, 500 & 300/- (plus GST) K303 Box Office now open Jamshed Bhabha Theatre two orchestras in his home country Beethoven: Violin Sonata No.10 in Indian music has a huge repertoire of (approx. 110 mins) – . Bisengaliev recently G major, Op. 96 compositions, whose textual content conducted the SOI performances Schubert: Fantasy in C major, D934 theatre is dedicated to the amorous exploits Alexander Lazarev, conductor of Carmina Burana and the ‘Enigma of Krishna – the cowherd of Vrindavan, Katherine Bicknell, flute Variations’. Armenian cellist Sevak Israeli violinist and violist Nurit Jaat Hi Puchho Sadhu Ki and also to the devotional and Daniela Iolkicheva, harp Avanesyan studied with the well- Stark studied in the Rubin Academy Hindi Play (130 mins) philosophical thoughts associated Autumn 2018 Season known Armenian cellist Medea Tel Aviv, Juilliard School New York, Godrej Dance Theatre with his divine love. The theme has Mussorgsky: Introduction to Abrahamyan, student of legendary Musikhochschule Cologne and Saturday, 1st – 5.00 pm also engendered many beautiful Patron: Citi India Khovanshchina Mstislav Rostropovitch. Avanesyan plays Universität der Künste Berlin. Stark has songs that are featured in Hindi Mozart: Flute & Harp Concerto on the very first Matio Gofriller cello made solo appearances with such presents the Hindi films. Parthiv Gohil began his music Tuesday, 4th September – 7.00 pm Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 from 1689 kindly given to him by Mischa orchestras as the Philharmonic version of ’s Pahije training at a young age and went on Jamshed Bhabha Theatre Maisky. Avanesyan will perform Dvořák’s under , Muenchner Radio Jateeche by Dr. Vasant Deo. Jaat Hi to become a playback singer including (approx. 110 mins) Katherine Bicknell is a guest principal cello concerto, considered the most Orchestra, Bremen Philharmonic, Sao Puchho Sadhu Ki, one of Tendulkar’s films such as Devdas, Saawariya, Vada of orchestras including the London famous piece in the genre. Paolo Symphonic Orchestra and the more popular plays, is a bitter comedy Raha and many others. His other Alexander Lazarev, conductor Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra. Pianist hitting out at casteism and is also a projects include participation in Nurit Stark, violin Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Sunday, 16th September – Cédric Pescia was the brilliant First tongue-in-cheek comment on the the iconic song ‘Phir mile sur mera Symphony Orchestra. Bicknell was 5.00 pm Prize Winner (Gold Medalist) at the education system, which specialises in tumhara’ and MTV performances Wagner: Prelude to Die Meistersinger principal flute of the Symphony Jamshed Bhabha Theatre 2002 Gina Bachauer International churning out educated illiterates. with reputed artistes. In this thematic von Nürnberg Orchestra of India (SOI) from 2010 (approx. 115 mins) Artists Piano Competition in Salt concert, Gohil will present a bouquet Bloch: Violin Concerto to 2016. Winner of the Bulgarian Lake City (USA). In 2007, Pescia was Designed & Directed by Dinesh of traditional as well as film songs Tchaikovsky: Suite No. 3 National Harp Competition, Daniela Zane Dalal, conductor honoured with the Prix Musique de la Thakur dedicated to Krishna. Iolkicheva has performed with Alexei Volodin, piano Fondation Vaudoise pour la culture. For Cast: Aman Gupta, Atul Mathur, Former Chief Conductor and Artistic renowned orchestras including the many years Stark and Pescia have been Preeta Mathur Thakur, Shankar Iyer Tickets: Director of the Bolshoi Theatre, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and State Mozart: Overture to The Abduction from working in close collaboration. & others `900, 600 & 375/- (Members) Alexander Lazarev was the first Orchestra of St. Petersburg. Iolkicheva is the Seraglio `1,200, 800 & 500/- (Public) person in over 30 years to hold both currently the harp teacher at the Special Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 Saturday, 15th September – An Ank Production (Inclusive of GST) positions concurrently. Lazarev has School for Music at San Francisco de Stravinsky: Suite from The Firebird 7.00 pm Box Office now open worked with orchestras including Paula School in Seville and has been Tata Theatre Tickets: the , playing with the SOI for the past few Zane Dalal is Associate Music Director (approx. 85 mins) `450/- (Members) theatre Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony, seasons. of the SOI. Recent highlights include `500/- (Public) among others. Now Conductor leading the SOI on a critically-acclaimed Alexei Volodin, piano Box Office now open The Father Laureate, he was Principal Conductor of Wednesday, 12th September – tour to Switzerland and conducting the English Play (120 mins) the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra from 7.00 pm UK premiere of Peshkar, a tabla concerto Schumann / Liszt: Widmung INDIAN MUSIC Experimental Theatre 2008 to 2016. Israeli violinist and violist Jamshed Bhabha Theatre with and the BBC Concert Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor Saturday, 1st to Sunday, 30th – Nurit Stark studied in the Rubin (approx. 110 mins) Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. Tchaikovsky/Pletnev: Concert Suite Shyam Rang 7.00 pm Academy Tel Aviv, Juilliard School New Acclaimed for his highly sensitive touch from The Sleeping Beauty Parthiv Gohil & Group (No shows on Mondays: 3rd, 10th, York, Musikhochschule Cologne and Marat Bisengaliev, conductor and technical brilliance, pianist Alexei Balakirev: Islamey, Op. 18 Hindustani Vocal Music Recital 17th & Sunday, 23rd) Universität der Künste Berlin. Stark has Sevak Avanesyan, cello Volodin is in demand by orchestras (Approx.120 mins) made solo appearances with such at the highest level. Recording for Acclaimed for his highly sensitive touch Tata Theatre Originally written in French, this play, orchestras as the Israeli Philharmonic Dvořák: Cello Concerto Challenge Classics, Volodin’s disc of and technical brilliance, pianist Alexei Saturday, 1st – 6.30 pm described by the writer as “a tragic under Zubin Mehta and Muenchner Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 solo Rachmaninoff works was released Volodin is in demand by orchestras farce” jolts us into the awareness that Radio Orchestra among others. She in 2013 to critical acclaim. Volodin will at the highest level. Recording for An NCPA Presentation a very thin line separates the ludicrous will perform Bloch’s only full-blown The founding Music Director of perform Rachmaninoff’s 3rd Piano Challenge Classics, Volodin’s disc Supported by Rukmani & Kishan from the pathetic. Wry, moving, violin concerto, which is known to be a the SOI, internationally renowned Concerto which was composed for the of solo Rachmaninoff works was Daiya Foundation hilarious and disturbing by turns, on triumph of heart and intellect. violinist Marat Bisengaliev has composer’s first tour to America. released in 2013 to critical acclaim. one level The Father is a family drama been described by The Times as “a Recent highlights include his debut With Janmashtami just a few days and on another, a searing picture Saturday, 8th September – brilliant violin soloist”. Apart from the Tickets: `2,000, 1,600, 1,200, 800 at the BBC Proms with the London away, we present Shyam Rang to of mental dysfunction and the toll 7.00 pm SOI, Bisengaliev has also founded & 500/- (plus GST) Symphony Orchestra, and concerts celebrate the legend of Krishna – it takes on both the sufferer and “the dark one” – through music. the carer.

46 • September 2018 NCPA NCPA September 2018 • 47 Written by Florian Zeller Mahanirvan, 2nd, Winner of three WhatsOnStage Pandit , 6th, to be an informed listener of Indian Little Theatre Translated by Cristopher Hampton Tata Theatre Awards, including Best New music but didn’t know how? The Directed by Musical, and nominated for five NCPA offers a special opportunity Co-directed by Olivier Awards. for uninitiated students, adults and Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna working professionals to open up to Pathak Shah, Sayan Mukherjee, Age: 15+ the vast treasure of music traditions Bhavna Pani & others prevalent on the Indian soundscape Produced by Jairaj Patil Tickets: `500/- today. Highlighting the distinctive Box Office: 26th August for features of various music traditions, Tickets: Members & 29th August for Public INDIAN MUSIC the session will lean towards ‘art or For Weekdays classical music’, introducing the basic `450/- (Members) dance Music Mirror concepts governing performance and `500/- (Public) Pandit Jasraj: Screening of the aesthetics. Dr. Suvarnalata Rao is For Weekends NCPA Umang Performances (120 mins) a senior disciple of Arvind Parikh, an `585/- (Members) Barnali Little Theatre eminent sitar exponent of the Etawah- `650/- (Public) by Ananya Parida & Thursday, 6th – 6.30 pm Imdadkhani gharana. She is also a (Plus GST) Rudraprasad Swain (60 mins) trained musicologist, and heads Box Office now open A Marathi Play in Two Acts Theatre Screening (164 mins) Students of An NCPA Presentation the Indian Music department at the (120 mins) Godrej Dance Theatre Little Theatre NCPA. The session will be conducted theatre Tata Theatre Wednesday, 5th – 6.00 pm Wednesday, 5th - 7.00 pm Pandit Jasraj is a living legend of in English and will include audio and Sunday, 2nd – 6.00 pm Hindustani music. Trained by his video recordings. Beewion Ka Madarsa An NCPA-More2Screen (UK) The evening will commence with the father Motiram and later groomed Hindi Play (130 mins) An NCPA Presentation Presentation duo presenting an invocatory offering by his elder brother Maniram, he Registration Fee: `250/- (Public) Godrej Dance Theatre to Lord Rama, which will be followed represents the Mewati gharana. The `225/- (for Members and students Sunday, 2nd – 5.00 pm Mahanirvan is a milestone in the history Inspired by a true story, Everybody’s by a pure dance item, Barsa Barnali – inimitable lyrical style developed on production of valid identity card) of Indian theatre. Since the first show Talking About Jamie is an award- the different shades of water, based by the celebrated octogenarian (Only cash registration accepted) Based on Moliere’s 14th-century French of the play in 1974, it has completed winning five-star hit musical. Jamie on a theme that connects the cycle torchbearer of the gharana is classic, Ecole de Femmes or School for about 400 shows in more than ten New is 16 and lives on a council estate of rain with the cycle of life. The third highly ornamental and A limited number of registrations Wives has been adapted by Balraj Pandit languages across the country. It is also in Sheffield. He doesn’t quite fit in. He presentation of the evening will be emotionally appealing. Spiritual will be accepted. For enquiries and . Haneef Mohammed one of the prescribed texts in university is terrified of the future. He is going an ashtapadi from Gita Govinda, Yahi underpinnings of the maestro and registration, call did not marry, firmly believing that all curricula for literature courses. The play to be a sensation. Supported by his Madhav, in which Radha is betrayed by have influenced his repertoire to 66223813/66223831 or email women are dishonest and cheat on is performed in a lyrical/musical form brilliant, loving mum and surrounded Krishna. The last presentation is Prakriti include pads from the temple music [email protected]. their husbands but then decided to using Maharashtrian folk styles such by his friends, Jamie overcomes Purusha, showcasing the harmony of of haveli sangeet, in which there is a Admission on a first-come-first- custom-make his bride. The beautiful as kirtan, gondhal, bhajan, abhang etc. prejudice, beats the bullies and the two and how they complement cultural overlap between bhakti and served basis. and comely Husnara is now 16 and With a dose of black comedy, the play steps out of the darkness, into the each other in every aspect of existence. the classical tradition. The screening Haneef Mohammed’s wedding plans highlights the intricacies of human spotlight. John McCrea, Josie features four ragas: Jog, Malkauns, theatre are underway when they are rudely relationships, while delivering subtle Walker, Tamsin Carroll, Lucie Admission on a first-come-first- Kalavati and Miyan Malhar, followed interrupted and the fruits of his labour messages on socio-cultural systems, Shorthouse and Phil Nichol lead served basis. NCPA members will by two bhajans. Wedding Album seem to be falling into another lap. But typical human tendencies and customs. a 24-strong company and an eight- get preferential seating till 6.50 pm. English Play (135 mins) Haneef Mohammed has the advantage piece band that will ‘sweep you away Produced by Archives Tata Theatre of age, experience and money and Written & Directed by Satish Alekar on a tide of mischief, warmth and Ananya Parida, (2005) Saturday, 8th – 7.30 pm 5th, Little Theatre with his doubtfully-devoted servants Music Compositions by Late Anand exuberance’ (The Financial Times). meticulously sets out to outwit this Modak This funny, fabulous, feel-good Admission on a first-come-first- ’s contemporary comic- young upstart of a suitor. Musicians: Swapnil Kulkarni, Ketan musical sensation has been thrilling served basis. NCPA Members will drama, that has completed 300 Pawar, Swanand Tarde & Manish audiences and critics alike. get preferential seating till 6.20 pm. shows across the world, explores Designed by Dinesh Thakur Vipradas the traditional Indian wedding in Directed by Atul Mathur Cast: Nachiket Devasthali, Sayalee Everybody’s Talking INDIAN MUSIC a globalised and technologically- About Jamie, 5th, Cast: Preeta Mathur Thakur, Aman Phatak, Siddharth Mahashabde, Godrej Dance Theatre advanced India. The play deals with a Gupta, Shankar Iyer, Atul Mathur, Mayureshwar Kale & others Understanding picture-perfect, urban, middle-class Rhea Khaund, Ashish Saleem & others Fundamentals of family. On the surface, it is a familiar A Natak Company, Production Hindustani Music image – joyful members of the clan An Ank Production Music Appreciation Session by Dr. coming together to celebrate and Tickets: Rudraprasad Suvarnalata Rao (approx. 180 mins) reaffirm loyalties. But behind the smiles, Swain, 5th, Little Tickets: `600, 450 & 300/- (Members) Little Theatre there are long suppressed suspicions, Theatre `450/- (Members) `800, 600 & 400/- (Public) Saturday, 8th – 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm jealousies, frustrations and aggression. `500/- (Public) (Plus GST) Box Office now open Box Office now open An NCPA Presentation Written by Girish Karnad Supported by Tata Capital Directed by Lillette Dubey theatre SCREENING Cast: Utkarsh Mazumdar, Ira Dubey, Have you always wanted to learn Pillai, Meher Dar & others Mahanirvan – The Dread Everybody’s Talking about Indian music but did not know Departure About Jamie where to start? Have you wanted A Primetime Theatre Co. Production

48 • September 2018 NCPA NCPA September 2018 • 49 Children below 12 years are not When the Divine Dance, The World’s Most Hope Aur Hum, 20th, Julie, 21st, Godrej allowed. 9th, Godrej Dance Theatre Famous Tiger Little Theatre Dance Theatre English Film (45 mins) Tickets: `900, 750, 525, 375 & 225/- Machli, the legendary tiger queen (Members) of Ranthambhore National Park, was `1,200, 1,000, 700, 500 & 300/- known for her fierce determination, (Public) bravery and confidence. She captured (Plus GST) the imagination and hearts of tiger Box Office now open fans like no other. Machli died at the record age of 20 years, but not before INDIAN MUSIC she had played a key role in the regeneration of the tiger population Training Sessions in in the Ranthambhore and Sariska A father's obsession with his traditional shocking and fiercely relevant in its Dhrupad national parks. This film chronicles old-school copy machine wreaks new setting of contemporary London. Conducted by Umakant & Ramakant Machli’s journey from her prime to her havoc on the family causing a change Gundecha death. in their relationship. As the entire Age: 15+ Supported by their Disciples family opposes 's dated ways, West Room 1 Life Force – India's the story intensifies. It explores the life Tickets: `400/- Sunday, 9th – 1.00 pm to 6.00 pm dance A Show House Presentation Western Ghats of each family member because their Box Office: 26th August for English Film (48 mins) lives are entwined with each other. A Members & 29th August for Public In collaboration with Dhrupad When the Divine Dance Tickets: simple story of human emotions, told Sansthan Bhopal Nyas – Through Form and `1,125, 750, 525 & 375/- (Members) A blue-chip documentary that reveals through three generations and the INDIAN MUSIC Formless `1,500, 1,000, 700 & 500/- (Public) incredible habitats, where nature differences in their ideas, in a transition Dhrupad is the oldest surviving genre Multi-Dance Presentation (60 mins) (Plus GST) has allowed eccentric animals and from the old to the new. Hidayat Khan, 22nd, Little Theatre of Hindustani music. The tradition is Godrej Dance Theatre Box Office now open unorthodox patterns of behaviour reputed for following special training Sunday, 9th – 5.00 pm to flourish through the miracle of Written & Directed by Sudip methods to groom facets such as film natural selection and the magic of Bandyopadhyay voice, breath control, pitch control and An NCPA Presentation evolution. The Western Ghats is a Produced by Samira Bandyopadhyay systematic delineation of composition. NCPA Reality Check moist tropical oasis thrust up above Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir The NCPA offers a special opportunity This production presents the unique Little Theatre the arid Indian subcontinent by an Bashir, Sonali Kulkarni, Naveen to train with the internationally concept of god as form or formless Wednesday, 19th – 6.30 pm ancient super volcano. Over millions Kasturia, Kabir Sajid & Virti Vagnani renowned exponents of this art form, with dances such as Kathak, Odissi, of years, this strip of stepped coastal Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha, and Mohiniattam by In collaboration with the Cinema highlands has become a refuge for a Admission on a first-come-first- and their senior disciples. a group of talented young dancers Collective 1 unique collection of creatures, many of served basis. NCPA members will NCPA Umang Following topics will be covered in the such as Prachi Saathi, Pooja Pant, which cannot be seen anywhere else get preferential seating till 6.20 pm. Hidayat Husain Khan (sitar) sessions: Namrata Mehta and Saji Menon. The World's Most on earth like the slow moving slender (approx. 120 mins) 1. Science of swara and raga Famous Tiger, 19th, loris, lion-tailed macaque, the strange- SCREENING Little Theatre 2. Voice culture training for raga music Tickets: Little Theatre looking hornbill, and the purple Saturday, 22nd – 6.30 pm 3. Music and Yoga – `180/- (Members) frog, along with multiple species Julie Nadayoga in Dhrupad `200/- (Public) cats, the Asiatic lion of Gir, tigers and Theatre Screening (approx. In collaboration with ITC-SRA 4. Study of laya and tala Box Office now open leopards. The documentary reveals the 95 mins) (Western Region) reasons behind the evolution of these Godrej Dance Theatre The sessions will be conducted every theatre species in the Western Ghats and the Friday, 21st – 3.00 pm & 6.00 pm Hidayat Khan is a student of his father, month to maintain continuity. magnificent orchestration of nature, the legendary sitar maestro Vilayat Enrolment Fee: `1,000/- (plus GST) Blind Date which has allowed this extraordinary An NCPA-National Theatre Live Khan. He has performed for films, for one session of 2 hours Hindi Play (135 mins) habitat to develop and thrive. (London) Presentation albums and in various live programmes. A limited number of registrations Tata Theatre His group album Melodic Intersect was will be accepted. For enquiries Sunday, 9th – 7.00 pm Directed by S. Nallamuthu Vanessa Kirby (The Crown) and also included in the Grammy Ballot for regarding batches, timing and Eric Kofi Abrefa (The Amen Corner) the Best World Music Album in 2016. Life Force, 19th, registration: contact 66223813 or A mesmerising play that revolves Little Theatre Admission on a first-come-first- feature in the cast of this brand write to ncpamusicworkshops@ around the lives of three young served basis. NCPA members will new production, directed by Carrie Admission on a first-come-first- gmail.com. characters, Dhara, Nisarg and Bajrangi, get preferential seating till 6.20 pm. Cracknell (NT Live: The Deep Blue Sea). served basis. NCPA Members will get their dreams and how they realise their Wild and newly single, Julie throws a preferential seating until 6.20 pm. dreams. film late-night party. In the kitchen, Jean and Kristina clean up as the celebration international music Original Playwright: Pranav Tripathi Fresh Pix: Hope Aur Hum heaves above them. Crossing the Adapted by Raman Kumar Hindi Film (95 mins) threshold, Julie initiates a power game NCPA Legends Directed by Prasad Khandekar Little Theatre with Jean, which rapidly descends into Tribute to Legends: Billie, Ella & Cast: Jay Soni, Chesta Bhagat, Pritam Thursday, 20th – 6.30 pm a savage fight for survival. The new Aretha (approx. 120 mins) Singh, Sanjay Bhatiya, Ani Shah & version of August Strindberg’s play Miss Tata Theatre Ramakant Gundecha, 9th, West Room 1 Pranav Tripathi An NCPA Presentation Julie, written by Polly Stenham, remains Saturday, 22nd – 7.00 pm

50 • September 2018 NCPA NCPA September 2018 • 51 Sanjeeta Louiz Banks, 29th, Bhattacharya, Tata Theatre 22nd, Tata Theatre

A tribute to the unforgettable voices An NCPA Presentation Creative Director: Makarand of some of the most legendary Deshpande powerhouse female vocalists of Mumbai Piano Day is back for its third Directed by Tejas Malap the era gone by: Billie Holiday, Ella edition, as curated by the NCPA and Cast: Bharat More, Mayuri Mohite, Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin. A Louiz Banks. Featuring some of the Akansha Gade & others journey through timeless, soul- finest pianists and keyboard players stirring ballads such as ‘Embraceable in the country and around the world, Suggested Age: 5+ You’ and ‘I Never Loved a Man’ to foot- covering all genres from jazz to funk tapping swing tunes such as ‘Blue to classical, it’s an evening not to be Tickets: Skies’ and ‘Love for Sale’, presented missed. `450/- (Members) by Berklee College of Music graduate, `500/- (Public) singer Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, with Tickets: Box Office: 26th August for favourites, Rythem Bansal on `1,000, 800, 500 & 300/- (plus GST) Members & 29th August for Public keys, Takar Nabam on guitar, Sonic Box Office: 26th August for Members Shori on bass and Aditya Dutta on & 29th August for Public international music drums. theatre Amazing Grace Tickets: `750, 500 & 300/- (plus GST) Western Music Concert (90 mins) Box Office now open Krishna Kidding Tata Theatre Hindi/English Play (60 mins) Sunday, 30th – 7.00 pm dance Godrej Dance Theatre Sunday, 30th – 12.00 pm In association with the Stop-Gaps A Talk on Cultural Academy & Bharatanatyam by An NCPA Presentation Veejay Sai The Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble, Little Theatre A lively play about Lord Krishna's back from their goodwill concert Friday, 28th – 7.00 pm mischievous nature, the play is a tour of London and Northern Ireland, showcase of how different entertaining presents a repertoire that enthralled An NCPA Presentation art forms fuse to define the essence of and amazed audiences abroad. The theatre for children and adults. concert will include a Latin jazz mass ‘Balasaraswati and Bharatanatyam – A by Bob Chilcott, performed for the Birth Centenary Talk’ by Veejay Sai, Krishna Kidding, 30th, first time in India, classical gems by Godrej Dance Theatre award-winning writer, editor and culture great composers, African American critic, is an illustrated talk on the life and songs, besides original compositions times of the greatest Bharatanatyam performed by both the senior and icon of the 20th century. junior choral ensembles of the Stop- Gaps Cultural Academy and soloists. Admission on a first-come-first- served basis. NCPA members will get Tickets: preferential seating till 6.50 pm. `1,200, 1,000, 800, 500 & 300/- (Inclusive of GST) international music Box Office: 26th & 27th August for Members Mumbai Piano Day 28th August onwards on (approx. 120 mins) Bookmyshow Tata Theatre 20th September for Public at the Saturday, 29th – 7.00 pm NCPA

52 • September 2018 NCPA Euphoria, 6th Pranjali Barve, October, Tata 13th October, Theatre Experimental What’s Next Theatre OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2018 (Programmes are subject to change. Please check the website and refer to our emails for updated information.)

Dr. Alka Deo Box Office: 9th September for Members Chaurasia, the other instrumentalists of RAF Marulkar, 4th October, Godrej & 12th September for Public include Satyajit Talwalkar (tabla), Gino Dance Theatre Banks (drums), Sheldon D’Silva (bass INDIAN MUSIC guitar), Sanjoy Das (guitar) and Sangeet Haldipur (keyboard and vocals). Individually One World Many Musics: trained in diverse musical traditions, together, (Inclusive of GST) Iyengar with Ranan with a neo- Menzel. A supremely melodic singer, Pranjali Celebrating Artistic the talented young brigade strives to extend Box Office: 9th September for Members classical presentation. Nakshatra also brings Barve will recreate the mood with a live Plurality the boundaries of their respective instruments & 12th September for Public back SNA awardee Bharatanatyam exponent pop performance rendering each song in its (Approx. 120 mins) and musical fields. Blending sounds and Rama Vaidyanathan with Vivartana on purest form, along with a very accomplished Tata Theatre expressions of Indian instruments with that dance public demand. and talented band called Hotpocket, Friday, 5th & Saturday, 6th October – of international instruments, they explore a comprising Dwit Hathi (guitar), Shivang 7.00 pm vast musical canvas leading to newer musical NCPA Nakshatra Dance Box Office: 9th September for Members Kapadia (drums), Risa Rodrigues (bass), sounds and exciting soundscape. Festival, 2018 & 12th September for Public Ayan Banerjee (piano and keyboards) and An NCPA Presentation Saturday, 13th to Monday, 15th October Prodyay Chakraborty (violin). Come, enjoy Saturday, 6th October international music and let sparks fly. The world that we live in is buzzing with myriad Performance by Euphoria One of the finest festivals featuring senior INDIAN MUSIC traditions and musical forms across various performers with productions along with their Sparks Fly Tickets: `500/- indigenous cultures. Music from around the Euphoria is one of the first Hindi rock bands troupes. This year Nakshatra features Leela Featuring Hotpocket with Pranjali Box Office: 9th September for Members Dr. Alka Deo Marulkar world exerts wide cross-cultural influence to ride the pop wave in the mid ’90s. Since Samson with Spanda (Bharatanatyam), (approx. 90 mins) & 12th September for Public Hindustani Vocal Music (Khayal) as styles influence one another. This festival then, they have performed over 1,700 shows Rajendra Gangani and troupe (Kathak), Experimental Theatre Recital (approx. 120 mins) showcasing varied musical forms reaffirms the worldwide and collaborated with top ranking Sharmila Biswas and troupe (Odissi), Saturday, 13th October – 7.00 pm SCREENING Godrej Dance Theatre peaceful co-existence of cultural and artistic bands such as Sting. Spearheaded by Dr. Bimbavati Devi and troupe (Manipuri) and Thursday, 4th October – 6.30 pm plurality in the world. With this event, we Palash Sen, a singer, songwriter, musician, An NCPA Presentation – Performance celebrate the power of music as a healing force composer and actor, the band will present Rajendra Series By Giuseppe Verdi Gangani, 13th An NCPA Presentation that promotes cross-cultural understanding, original songs based on themes ranging to 15th October Opera Screening (approx. 216 mins) and remind people of all cultures and religions from love, longing, life, fun and relationships, With the success of The Wunderkinds, the Sung in Italian with English Subtitles Daughter and disciple of veteran that we share a common humanity. from their popular albums Dhoom Pichak NCPA now brings a fabulous live performance Godrej Dance Theatre vocalist Rajabhau Deo, Dr. Alka Deo Dhoom and Halla Bol, and other commercially of pure pop, paying tribute to the divas of Tuesday, 23rd October – 6.00 pm Marulkar was also privileged to Friday, 5th October successful productions. music such as Madonna, Celine Dion, Taylor train with M. S. Kanetkar, a veteran of Performance by Rakesh & Swift, Demi Lovato, Christina Aguilera, Adele, An NCPA-The Metropolitan Opera Jaipur gharana. As a result, her music Friends (RAF) Daily Tickets: Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Pink and Idina (New York) Presentation reflects a confluence of three traditions: `600, 450 & 300/- (Members) Gwalior, Jaipur and Kirana. Furthermore, Led by the well-known flautistRakesh `800, 600 & 400/- (Public) Aida, 23rd her mastery over semi-classical repertoire October, Godrej Dance of Purab tradition, and her academic Rakesh & Friends, 5th Theatre October, Tata Theatre proficiency to analyse and interpret subtle elements in music lend a stamp of authority to her presentation. A prolific composer and an ardent guru, she is known for her enlightening lec-dems on diverse musical aspects. In this recital, Dr. Marulkar will showcase her eclectic approach to aesthetic build-up in khayal vocalism, and also present some semi-classical compositions.

Tickets: `135/- (Members) `150/- (Public)

54 • September 2018 NCPA NCPA September 2018 • 55 Aida is a classic love story of love and betrayal. Philistines conquer the Hebrews again. In the This year, the NCPA International Jazz Festival Set in Memphis, in the capital city of ancient end, Samson is able to gather his strength one promises to be a very special event. With Egypt, Ethiopian princess Aida is held prisoner. last time to destroy both the Philistines and musicians from Cuba, the US, Colombia, An Egyptian General, Radames, is secretly in himself. Panama, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Japan, Australia, love with Aida, and she with him. The story Italy, Canada, France and India, it will be has a twist when Radames is chosen to lead Conducted by Mark Elder a truly international event. A tribute to a war against Ethiopia and Aida is conflicted Cast: Elina Garanča (Delilah), Roberto legendary jazz trumpet player Clifford between her love for him and her country. Alagna (Samson), Laurent Naouri (The High Brown will lead the festival. This tribute will Priest), Elchen Azizov (Abimélech) & Dmitry be led by his son, Clifford Brown Jr., who Conducted by Nicola Luisotta Belosselskiy (The Old Hebrew) has especially assembled this band for the Cast: (Aida), Anita festival with Clifford Brown III, his grandson, Rachvelishvili (Amneris), Aleksandrs Tickets: playing trumpet and doing the music of the Antonenko (Radamés), Quinn Kelsey `500/- legendary ‘Brownie’. A Latin band, a Brazilian (Amonasro), Dmitry Belosselskiy (Ramfis) & `250/- (only for students on production samba jazz band both with spectacular Ryan Speedo Green (The King) of valid ID cards) percussionists, a traditional saxophone-led Box Office: 9th October for Members & quartet, a band boasting of a vibraharpist, Tickets: 12th October for Public a saxophone player from Miles Davis’s `500/- band and a jam session that includes most `250/- (only for students on production international music participating musicians from the festival will of valid ID cards) ensure some of the best quality jazz ever Box Office: 9th September for Members Artie’s Festival heard in Mumbai. It will be three days of great November 2018, & 12th September for Public 19th & 20th, jazz, which has now become a standard at Experimental the NCPA. Theatre dance Tickets: `500/- onwards (plus GST) Contemporary Dance Box Office: 26th September for Season, 2018 Members & 29th September for Public Friday, 2nd to Sunday, 4th November SCREENING An NCPA Presentation The Girl of the Golden West NCPA’s Contemporary Dance Season By showcases performances that combine Artie’s Festival November Opera Screening (approx. 202 mins) innovation and cutting-edge choreography 2018 Sung in Italian with English Subtitles from some of the most prominent dancers Experimental Theatre Godrej Dance Theatre of this genre from India and abroad. It has Tuesday, 27th November – 6.00 pm featured contemporary dancers such as An NCPA Presentation , Terence Lewis, Aditi Mangaldas, An NCPA-The Metropolitan Opera (New Daksha Sheth, Jayachandran Palazhy as well as Monday, 19th November – 7.00 pm York) Presentation international presentations such as the Avant Garde Dance Company (U.K.). Brahms: Piano trio Op. 87 Minnie is a lively girl who runs the Polkasaloon Korngold: Lied from Suite Op. 23 for two frequently visited by miners. Rance, the Box Office: 9th October for Members & violins, cello and piano left hand sheriff, falls for Minnie, but she, in turn, falls for 12th October for Public Dvořák: String Quartet Op. 96 ‘American’ a bandit Ramerrez. The people in the town want to capture Ramerrez and hang him. SCREENING Tuesday, 20th November – 7.00 pm An armed Minnie shows up just in time and reminds the miners of everything she does for Samson and Delilah Dvořák: Piano quartet No.2 Op. 87 them, hoping to get them to set him free. By Camille Saint-Saëns Beethoven: Variations for Piano trio Op. 44 Opera Screening (approx. 184 mins) Shostakovich: Piano quintet Op. 57 Conducted by Marco Armiliato Sung in French with English Subtitles Cast: Eva Maria Westbroek (Minnie), Jonas Godrej Dance Theatre Tickets: `600 & 400/- (plus GST) Kauffman (Dick Johnson), Carlo Bosi (Nick), Thursday, 8th November – 6.00 pm Box Office: 9th October for Members & Željko Lucic (Jack Rance), Michael Todd 12th October for Public Simpson (Sonora), Mathew Rose (Ashby) & An NCPA-The Metropolitan Opera (New Oren Gradus (Jake Wallace) York) Presentation international music Tickets: Samson leads the Hebrews in a revolt against NCPA International Jazz `500/- the Philistines in order to be released from Festival ‘18 `250/- (only for students on production slavery. A beautiful Philistine woman Delilah Tata Theatre of valid ID cards) is sent to seduce Samson and learn his Friday, 23rd to Sunday, 25th November – Box Office: 26th October for Members & secrets. Unfortunately, she succeeds and the 6.30 pm 29th October for Public

56 • September 2018 NCPA