Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 29: ICCR Jammu’s Music Concert ‘Nightingale of Jammu & Kashmir-Kailash Mehra’ featured here this evening at KL Sehgal Hall, Abhinav Theatre Complex, here today.
Internationally acclaimed Kailash Mehra who has creditably held concerts in London, Pittsburgh, Houston, Washington, Florida, New York, California, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Detroit, Boston, Toronto, (Canada), Dhaka and Dubai among other places in India mesmerized the jam-packed audience through her diverse soulful singing.
Kuldeep Khuda, former CVC and Director General J&K Police was the chief guest on the occasion.
Earlier welcoming the distinguished gathering, the Regional Director of Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Balwant Thakur said that ICCR takes pride in showcasing one of the most celebrated singer of the State who contributed immensely in promoting, and propagating the music of the state globally.
Popularly known as ‘Kokila’ of Jammu & Kashmir, her amazing range and versatility is reflected in the fact that she has sung not only in Kashmiri but mesmerised the masses in different languages like Dogri, Pahari, Gojri, Sanskrit, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Ladakhi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannad and Bangla.
Introducing her further, Balwant Thakur said that gifted with a melodious voice, Kailash Mehra started her initial training in classical music at the age of 10 from Pandit Swaroop Nath Saproo in Devki Arya Putri Pathshalla (Arya Samaj School) Srinagar.
Kailash Mehra opened her concert by introducing one of her disciples Vishwa Ghandarv Kauswalia and later began with the rarest classical notes. This followed by her popular ‘Ghazals’ which enlivened the total environment. Her versatility was acknowledged by one and all by repeated applauses when she sang in diverse languages.
She was accompanied by the Rakesh Anand on Flute, Neeraj Verma on Tabla, Bua Ditta Kauswalia on Harmonium and Jigmeet Singh on Guitar. Kusam Tickoo added colour to the programme with her magnificent style of presentation and professional know-how.
The show was graced by galaxy of prominent personalities which included R.C. Puri, Secretary Red Cross, Ravi Sharma, Kamal Sharma, Subash Jamwal, Madan Rangeela, Kuldeep Raina, Kumar A Bharti, Gulzaar Ganai, and Hasrat Gadda.
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