By Kaipee Luther Newray, newraykaipee@gmail.com
Dehradun, India- A two week long REACH Virasat festival has ended with Level 9 Jazz Group’ wining the hearts of the people of Dehradun with their performances in the closing ceremony of Virasat.
The 15th day of the Virasat Art and Heritage Festival 2022 came to an end on Sunday, October 23, 2022 with the lighting of the lamp and various types of presentations that took place in the cultural evening program.
Also, beautiful cultural performances fascinated the audience on the last day of the festival.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of Virasat 2022, RK Singh, Founder and General Secretary, ‘REACH’ said, “The support we have received from citizens across the country for Heritage 2022 has exceeded our expectations.”
“With every passing year, our excitement and adventure are increasing. It will be our constant endeavor to work towards presenting and promoting the traditional artifacts and cultural treasures that adorn many regions of the country.”
“We also want to tell you about Virasat 2023, which will start around Navratri and Diwali celebrations and make it a success as always. We resolve to enchant you and take you on another unforgettable musical and cultural journey.
“We take this opportunity to thank the entire team of Virasat, media friends and our supporting artists, our team, and all our partners for helping us make this event a success and for taking you all on an even more exciting journey. Legacy looks forward to 2023. “
The first presentation of the cultural evening program was done by the cultural folk dance group of the Jaunsar Bawar region with the Jonsari folk dance.
He first started the presentation by worshiping his presiding deity Shri Mahasu Devta. He then performed his famous folk work Harul (acting on a historical ballad by dance). They then performed the Tandi dance, which is a lined crescent shaped by holding each other’s waists, which is also considered a symbol of unity.
He also performed on Deepak dance on the occasion of Deepawali.
At last he concluded the presentation by performing a deer dance (acting with the village chief sitting on a deer) and a victory dance on Veer Ras.
This folk dance program was led by Nand Lal Bharti (International Folk Artist), in which 21 of his artists gave their support in making this presentation a success.
In another presentation of the cultural evening program, Indian classical music was presented by Sunanda Sharma. In which he presented the singing of Banaras Gharana style. He started the program with Khayal Bandish in Raag Kedar ‘Chandni Raat’ and he performed ‘Miyan Nazarene Nahi Anda Ve’ with Bandish in Raag Mishrakafi. He also fascinated the people from Dadra and Thumri.
Born in Dah near Pathankot, Punjab, Sunanda started training at the age of four from her father, Pt. Sudarshan Sharma. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in music and in his master’s he received a gold medal in Indian classical vocal music from Panjab University.
The famous singer of the Banaras Gharana, Girija Devi saw her at the Hariballabh Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar and was so impressed with her singing skills that she took Sunanda Ji under her tutelage. Over the next nine years, the guru, Girija Devi, helps the disciple, Sunanda Sharma, develop into an artist, finding time to hone the scripture and emotion in her singing.
According to Girija Devi, her legacy will be carried forward through Thumri, Chaiti, and Kajari sung by Sunandaji as she has amazing control over her talents. During this period in Benares and Kolkata, Sunanda Ji was fortunate to receive guidance from Pt Kishan Maharaj and Ustad Bismillah Khan among many other legends. Although his strength lies in Khayal, Tappa, Thumri, Dadra, and Chaiti, his repertoire includes Punjabi and Himachali folk and various devotional styles. She has sung in a unique jugalbandi with Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and a renowned Kathak dancer Shashwati Sen. They have performed around the world, including at the World Music Festival in Germany and twice in Belgium, attracting audiences with their productions in the UK, USA, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden.
The last performance of the cultural evening included a sparkling performance by the famous ‘Level 9 Jazz Group’ in which Etrain (Duke Ellington) gave the first performance. He then concluded with his composition Storm Bug (Level 9), summertime (Diana Kroll), then finally I Feel Good (James Brown).
Jazz group artists Alex (keys), Josh (drums), Elton (saxophone), Harsh (vocals), Abraham (guitar), and Savio (bass) added to the performance.
Level 9 Band is a contemporary jazz retro pop band from Delhi. The band has several compositions and has played funk, traditional and modern jazz, fusion, and covers from Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Louie Armstrong, and Chick Korea, to name a few.
The band members have been performing at various jazz and corporate festivals in India and abroad.
The pianist, singer, songwriter, and composer has several originals to his credit, which can be viewed on his YouTube channel alexejagoa. Loves experimenting with bands and different styles of music for the past 30 years and has just returned from the International Jazz Festival held in Uzbekistan.
Elton Fernandes is the youngest player in the city with his outstanding skills in modern jazz and fusion. Has already made a name for himself in marriage, in the corporate sector, and with renowned DJs like Aqeel. He has also performed at the 6th International Festival in Delhi.
Josh Grant has been playing Delhi’s best Jazz Latin, Cuban, Afro, Funk, Fusion, and many more genres for over 25 years. He has collaborated with some of the best musicians and singers in the world including Shubha Mudgal, Karsh Kale, Anushka Shankar, and many foreign artists. Harsh is a trained Indian classical singer and a versatile guitarist who is the band’s youngest member.
REACH was established in 1995 in Dehradun, and since then it has been organizing Heritage Festival in Dehradun. The aim is simply to preserve the values of India’s art, culture, and heritage, and to bring these cultural values to the masses.