Musical Vibrations!!

Nehru Park, quintessentially located in the heart of the city, offers us - the Delhi wala's a sense of what Delhi is all about - it's grandeur, openness, & ultra green stretch is symbolic. Its picturesque beauty and serene surroundings are just perfect and add that extra glitz to this iconic Delhi landmark!!

For me, memories of this diplomatic park dates back to atleast 20 years, if not more!!.....not when I used to come here for school picnics or for morning walks with dad, but for times when I used to accompany my parents for classical music concerts. Being a kiddo, I could hardly relate to classical music then but was always a good listener. I am sure, it is only from that time onwards that I have developed this fascination for music & live concerts.

Over the years, it has almost been like a ritual for us to attend the 'Music in the park' concerts. We have been very lucky to catch the glimpses of the Crème de la crème of music fraternity. The Morning Ragas & Evening Ragas by the maestros and legends of Indian classical music have always enthralled us. Our list includes: Pt. Ravi Shankar, the legendary sitarist & India's most esteemed musical Ambassador, the very renowned Anushka Shankar; Santoor maestro Shivkumar Sharma and tabla maestro Zakir Husain; Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, whose name is synonymous to the 'Sarod'; Ayaan Ali khan & Amaan Ali Khan - the magical twosome who need no introduction; Shubha Mudgal - well known singer of Hindustani Classical music; Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Indian vocalist in the Hindustani Classical tradition; Dr. L. Subramaniam, acclaimed Violinst; Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, the internationally renowned exponent of the 'bansuri'; Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, the creator of the Mohan Veena; Ustad Bismillah Khan, the most outstanding and world-famous shehnai player, to name a few!!

The musical notes & ragas by these eminent personalities is as though still actively tingling in my mind. My only regret is that I have not been actively capturing the memories with my camera.....Better late than never!!

Music in the Park: awe-inspiring Shubha Mudgal; a superb performance by Dr L Subramanium; forever captivating Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

We also attended the very emotional but mesmerising memorial for Pt Ravi Shankar. 

A Tribute to Pt. Ravi Shankar

My very enthusiastic self from East to West....

This year's Jazz Festival, organized by ICCR was truly a treat to the ears for music lovers. I attended the concluding day for the event that saw outstanding performances by India's Toshanbar, South Africa's The New South Africa jazz Collective and a spectacular show by my personal favourite - Louiz Banks. Banks, who is often referred as the 'Godfather of Indian Jazz', very aptly remarked his band's 'fusion' performance as 'Contemporary Indian Classical Music' form.....Yes absolutely ready to go global!! 

Jazzed up Delhi Evenings @ Nehru Park - Jazz Festival 2013

A Lively Performance by Toshanbar 

Magical 'Momentum' by Louiz Banks: Mohini, youngest base player; Phoenix Ramdas on Voilin; the very versatile vocalist - Sharmishta Chatterjee; Gino Banks on Drums

South Africa's The New South Africa jazz Collective 

It was indeed a a jazzy evening with these amazing artists!!

Look forward to many more :)