Cultural evenings begin on musical note

Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, December 8

Ace percussionist Sivamani set the stage on fire as he enthralled audience at the inaugural cultural function of International Gita Mahotsav-2016 on Wednesday evening.

As Sivamani backed up ‘Spirit of Gita’ through its verses, a captivating fusion emerged.

From drums to a lid of a metal container, suitcase to a bottle, the maverick exhibited his talent of transforming anything into a source of music and create new gamut of rhythms with his fingers.

The celebrated artist is better known for his percussion for songs in films like Roja, Rang De Basanti and Rockstar.

Sivamani credited spiritual organisation Chinmaya Mission for guiding him to use music to spread message of universal peace and humanity of the Gita.

“I believe in using foot-tapping musical presentations as a tool for meditation. This is purely spiritual and I believe in engaging youth through this medium,” he said.

Sivamani was accompanied by his singer wife Runa Rizvi and rapper Blaaze.

Also, Kathak artiste Shama Bhate’s dance drama ‘Ateet ki Parchhaiyan’ was well received by the gathering. Based on various characters of the Mahabharata, the performance was a blend of the Indian classical dance forms to reinterpret one of the greatest epics.

The performance also threw the spotlight on the predominant characters of the Mahabharata, who are in the final stage of their lives’ journey and are wondering whether a slight difference in their actions in the past would have changed the course of the battle.

A troupe of Nepalese artistes gave a colourful dance presentation of their culture. Kurukshetra Development Board officials honoured the performers.

‘Develop Haryana as int’l destination’

New Delhi: BJP MP Rattan Lal Kataria on Thursday urged the Centre to help develop Kurukshetra as an international tourist destination. Raising the issue in Lok Sabha during Zero Hour, Kataria said that the Haryana government was celebrating international Gita Jayant Festival in Kurukshetra and International personalities were taking part in it. He said :”Gita was enunciated by Lord Krishna in Kurukshehtra 5053 years ago. The place is of historical significance.” TNS

District-level celebrations kick off 

Ambala: The district-level three-day Gita Jayanti Mahotsav started in Ambala City at Rambagh today. Swami Gyananand Maharaj, Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain and Aseem Goel, MLA, were present on the occasion. Jain laid the foundation stone of the renovation of Naurang Rai Sarovar and Bhagwan Mahavir Park. Addressing the gathering, she said the messages and teachings of Bhagwad Gita were followed throughout the country. She said the country could develop only if cultural values were promoted. OC

Karnal: The three-day Gita Jayanti Mahotsav has started here today. Minister of Food and Supplies Karandev Kamboj inaugurated the event and referred the Bhagavad Gita as a guide to humanity. He said that they had been spreading the message of the Gita of peace, love and brotherhood in the world. Meanwhile, more than 70 stalls were set up by various departments and NGOs there. Students from various schools also chanted 18 ‘shlokas’ of the Gita.TNS

Kaithal: Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Kumar Bedi today inaugurated the district-level Gita Jayanti Mahotsav being celebrated in the vicinity of the Bhai Udai Singh Fort by performing a ‘havan’ along with district officials here today. Kulwant Bajigar, Guhla MLA; Sanjay Joon, Deputy Commissioner; Capt Shakti Singh, ADC, Mandeep Kaur and Surinder Pal, SDMs; Rao Surendra Singh, BJP leader, Randhir Singh Sharma, DIPRO, were present among others. The minister inspected an exhibition put up under the aegis of the Information and Public Relations and Cultural Department. oc

Prabhu to flag off train today

Kurukshetra: Union Railway minister Suresh Prabhu will flag off Kurukshetra-Mathura Gita Jayanti Express train here tomorrow . Launch of the train service was suspended due to the demise of Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalthaa. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and several other ministers will be present at Kurukshetra railway station on the occasion.   An official spokesperson said BJP president Amit Shah would also be in the city tomorrow to attend a function of saints at Bharma Sarovar. Governor of Goa Mridula Sinha will participate in a seminar at Kurukshetra University.