A WEEKEND AT THE BHAVAN – A CULTURAL PLETHORA

Anvi Prabhu

The last weekend of February 2023 at The Bhavan proved to be a treat for the London art lovers, with three different events on offer.

(pictured left - Punita Gupta and her students)
(pictured above - Amish Tripathi and Dr Nandakumara speaking at Sanskruti's event)

On Friday, 24th of February, Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence presented their production ‘Shivoham’, which pulled in a full house to witness an event weaved around the different aspects of Lord Shiva and his ‘Sapta Tandava’. Dancers from different Indian classical genres came together to display the mythologies of Shiva and his dancing form. A brainchild of Ragasudha Vinjamuri, the evening was a spectacular display of Indian classical dance forms, music, and lyrics.
Sri. Amish Tripathi, Director of the Nehru Centre graced the occasion as chief guest. Our own Director Dr. Nandakumara was one of their guest speakers.
On Saturday, 25th of February, Smt. Punita Gupta, a star disciple of pt. Ravi Shankar, celebrated 50 years of her career as a Sitarist with a special concert with her students. As this coincided with The Bhavan’s own golden jubilee year, it was an emotional occasion for all involved. Her students paid tribute to her excellence and dedication. David Baldwin and Dr. Nandakumara shared a few words of appreciation. The team received high praise for the quality of the performance, the organisation and curation of the event and for the sumptuous refreshments. One of her students expressed – ‘Punitaji's guidance and her welcoming of our individual level of abilities made us all relaxed on the stage and be part of this great lady's celebratory performance.’

On Sunday, 26th February, the audience was treated to a special concert by ‘The Carnatic Comfort Zone’, the Berlin based German-Sri Lankan group led by the charismatic Sri Lankan singer and composer Manickam Yogeswaran and his team of musicians from the East and the West. Each piece was received rapturously by the audience, and they applauded the unique amalgamation of Carnatic Classical compositions with Western instruments and sensibilities. The audience said of the concert - “It was so harmonious and blended so beautifully. There was never a dull moment, and the interweaving of musical instruments was enchanting”. Yogeswaran presented songs from ‘Raghupati Raghava’ to Thiripugal to his own compositions for films in innovative ways that allowed all the instruments to blend and offer solo moments. The lighting design deserves a special mention.
The Bhavan is proud of being a space that hosts art in all its glory and in its many different forms, and for being a space where artists of all genres and all levels of practice can come together to present their talents and bring the London audience under one roof.

(pictured below - The Carnatic Comfort Zone in action)