Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 29: Indian Council for Cultural Relations ICCR), Union Ministry of External Affairs, under its famous Horizon Series presented a programme of traditional ‘Bhakh Singing’ here at K L Saigal Hall of Abhinav Theatre Jammu featuring Asha Kesar and her group which mesmerised the entire audience through their soulful singing presentations.
Earlier welcoming the august gathering, the Regional Director of ICCR Jammu & Kashmir, Balwant Thakur, gave a brief view about the activities, initiatives and programmes of ICCR in Jammu.
Sung without the accompaniment of any instrument Bhakh Singers through their traditional practices amazingly sang on different musical notes and create out of the world musicals. Musicologists world-over praise Jammu for this unique contribution. Though a narrative by nature, yet it’s heart rendering singing transports the audience to altogether a world of divinity.
Asha Kesar- a self taught singer started her learning of Bhakh at early childhood from her grand parents and after years of devotion and continuous practice, she shot to National fame from the recently held ‘Jammu Kashmir Mahotsav’ organised by Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh at Bharat Bhawan Bhopal.
In today’s programme she exhausted her entire repertoire while being praised by one and all. She surprised everyone in the audience with her unique style of singing and her presentation of Bhakh expressed hope in the fact that this legacy of contemporary Bhakh Singing started by Late Praduman Singh will continue to mesmerize future generations.
Asha Kesar’s singing magic is such that those who listen to her, are bound to feel the soul inside the music. They may not even hear the words; they will be bound to hear the soul inside the song. Asha Kesar was ably given the accompaniment by yet other praiseworthy melodious singers Sudesh Manhas and Sonika Jamwal. Rakesh Masih added lot of colour through his professional flute playing while Rajeev Kumar and Rajesh Kumar accompanied on Rhythm and Harmonium. The programme was very well conducted by Anil Tickoo.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Kripal Singh, Kumar A Bharti, Subash Jamwal, Yashpal Yash, Suresh Kumar, and Sumeet Sharma.
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