Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 30: Pt Rajendra Prasanna – a noted flute maestro, mesmerized the audience by his flute play at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, here today.
He was accompanied by Lalit Kumar on Tabla and they together presented Raag-Yaman, Pahadi-Raag, Ganga-Ma-Ki-Balaiya and Raag-Durga, which spell-bound the audience. The event was a courtesy from the Jammu & Kashmir chapter of Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY).
This was the first ever presentation of a stand-alone performance under SPIC MACAY at SMVDU.
Dr Sapna Sangra, State Chairperson of SPIC MACAY Jammu & Kashmir, introduced the SPIC MACAY to the students of SMVDU. Dr Seema Rohmetra Coordinator SPIC MACAY Jammu region and Dr. Rajneesh Khajuria also accompanied the artists.
It may be noted that Pt Rajendra Prasanna hails from the renowned ‘Benaras Gharana’ and he is a master of flute and Shehnai both. He was the first Shehnai and flute player honored with the Uttar Pradesh ‘Sangeet Natak Academy Award’ in 1995. He was also the recipient of the Life Time Achievement Award of the Sahara India in 2003. He performed at many European and Asian nations including France, Belgium, Poland, Germany, UK, Switzerland, Russia, Norway, Japan, Mauritius, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and all Middle East countries.
Dr Varun Kumar Tripathi, president Board of Cultural Activities, Dr Sumeet Gupta, Dean Academic Affairs, Dr Parvez Slathia and Samir Vohra felicitated the artists by presenting mementos.
Earlier, the five-day circuit kick started with the performance at the Alexander Memorial School, Residency Road Jammu. Principal Esther Williams welcomed the guests and introduced the artists. Students from S D Tara Puri School also joined in to experience the mega event. Johnny Williams, Retd IGP, was the chief guest.
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