Hungarian band performs at Selaqui School

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 26

SPIC MACAY, Dehradun, provided SelaQui International School an opportunity to play host to Hungarian percussion band "Kákics” here today. The band was dressed in traditional Hungarian attire and carried instruments alien even to seasoned musicians. Indian traditions were ceremoniously conducted and revered by men foreign to our land, creating a bond even before the start of the programme. The team comprised of Ákos Tárnok, Tibor Lendvai, Lajos Kiss, Árpád Horváth, and Norbert Nagy and used traditional instruments of countryside Hungary like double-bottomed Moldavian Csángó drum, hurdy-gurdy and gardon.

The Multipurpose Hall witnessed a tempest of applause and each performance was celebrated. Language seemed not to be a barrier while melodies and synchronised harmony had the audience enthralled. A dance gig performed by lead vocalist Akos Tarnok stole the show. Each piece was graced by a prelude read in English by Norbert Nagy with a tinge of Hungarian influence, detailing the performance and also enlightening us about the instruments in use. Most of the song was influenced by strong rural settings and folk songs of Hungarian countryside dealing with love, separation and joy.

The mesmerided audience was privileged to hear a presentation in addition to what the band had originally planned, as they were humbled by hospitality. Indeed, it was an evening when one was transported to Hunger instantaneously, an evening when music was “Manna” for SeQuins. Rashid Shraufuddin, principal of the school, welcomed the Hugarain band.

Earlier, the band also enthralled students of Asian School with a rendition of live traditional Hungarian folk music here today. Arpad Horuath and his band are renowned among Hungarian folk music enthusiasts for their regular concerts and folk dance events. They are known for the use of typical musical instrument of the original collection area developed by Hungarian peasants. The band’s repertoire is diverse. Apart from poor young men’s chants, who fled from the military service, choosing the outlaws fate, the ensemble played songs that transported the audience the world of the Hungarian peasants, full of fun, holidays, joy, sorrow, ecstasy and love with contemporary, but eternal folk wording.

In the interaction session between students and the artistes that followed the performance, the students’ interest and curiosity was abundantly reflected in the questions that they put before the artistes.