The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, and Citi India announces the 6^th edition of the much awaited travelling Indian music festival – the ‘Citi-NCPA Aadi Anant’ -‘from here to eternity’ presenting a performance night in Mumbai on 10^th and 11^th December 2016 at Tata Theatre, NCPA.

Dr Suvarnalata Rao, Head Programming –Indian Music said, “We are extremely proud to present yet another edition of the Citi-NCPA Aadi Anant Festival of Indian music. Through this festival we are bringing together a bright amalgamation of rich artistic legacies existing in the country. In a bid to uphold the rich Guru Shishya tradition of the country, Aadi Anant is an endeavor for the current generation to view and nurture creative excellence belonging to an eternal stream of time and knowledge’

The first day of the concert will be featuring father-son duo Shivkumar Sharma and Rahul Sharma performing a duet on santoor supported by Yogesh Samsi & Mukundraj Deo on tabla. Santoor is inseparably associated with the living legend of Indian music, Shivkumar Sharma. Modifications madeby him to the instrument with respect to its physical structure and the innovative performance techniques has given the instrument its unique “voice” which has helped santoor acquire a position on par with other string instruments in the contemporary Indian art music. Sharing the stage with the maestro would be his son, disciple and one of the most promising santoor players of his generation Rahul Sharma.

The second day will feature a performance which brings together percussionists from three music traditions: North and South Indian art music, and Indian folk music. The concert will feature world-renowned Tabla player Zakir Hussain and young Anantha R. Krishnan, grandson and disciple of the legendary Mridangam maestro Palghat R Raghu. Navin Sharma who is a disciple of Zakir Hussain’s father, the legendary maestro AllaRakha will be joined by Sabir Khan, son and disciple of the legendary sarangi maestro Sultan Khan, to provide melodic context for the rhythmic improvisations. The ensuing explorations will elucidate the unity underlying the diversity of musical traditions.

The Citi-NCPA Aadi Anant Festival celebrates an incessant voyage of the soul of Indian music which is timeless. Named Aadi - the beginning, Anant - the timeless, the eternal, the one that has no end, the festival expresses the creations of artistic traditions perpetuated from one generation to the next in an uninterrupted manner.

Conceived jointly by Citi India and the NCPA, the Aadi Anant Festival of Indian Music is a unique initiative that stands committed to preserve and propagate the Indian heritage. This initiative is designed to be a multi-city festival which offers an opportunity to the community at large to experience Indian music by both; maestros and upcoming musicians

Pramit Jhaveri, CEO, Citi India,said, “Now in the sixth year, the CITI-NCPA Aadi Anant Festival of Indian Music represents Citi’s continued commitment to support India’s rich cultural heritage. The Aadi Anant Festival, showcases Indian music across genres and generations and at the same time attempts to create opportunities for young, talented musicians to play a part in India’s future. We are delighted to once again partner with a world-renowned institution like the NCPA in preserving and nurturing India’s glorious legacy.”

The three-month long travelling Indian music festival spanning six cities - Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad will feature much acclaimed and respected maestros of classical music; including maestros like Zakir Hussain (tabla) Shiv Kumar Sharma (Santoor), Ashwini Bhide Deshpande (Vocal) Shankar Mahadevan (Vocal) amongst others.

As trendsetters in their respective fields, Citi India and NCPA created the Citi-NCPA Aadi Anant Festival of Indian Music in 2011. Today, the festival is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year for Indian music.The festival showcases celebrated Guru-s with their shishya-s as well as features artistic work, deeply embedded in the tradition, and yet seek to reach out in to the infinite realms of creativity, inspired by the changing socio - cultural milieu in which the next generation of the artistes are being groomed.

Photo of Rahul Sharma - By Verus Ferreira

Festival Schedule: