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Dear Art Lover,
KELI, the Mumbai based charitable trust, needs no introduction to the art lovers of Mumbai. Keli has been striving to preserve, develop and propagate the performing art traditions of India since the last 30 years.
Keli’s year-long, 30th anniversary celebrations began in October 2022. It explored different ways, modes and levels in which art intersects with different domains of knowledge: history, anthropology, sociology and politics. It also explored, the transformations happening at the conceptual level, practices, exchanges, influences, and also, materialities, sites and interfaces, with the audiences. Keli is now entering into the concluding finale of the series
This segment will be led by Ustad Zakir Hussain, exploring intersections and confluences of Rhythm Music tradition, that enliven art making, performance and appreciation, contributing to the rich cultural fabric that makes up India.
While conversing with the pure traditions of art practices, it is necessary to merge with the contemporary time and space. Breaking away from the conventional formats of academic presentations or performance modes, the idea is to engage with different themes, forms and practices by mixing divergent discourses, mediums and methods of engagement, focusing on the following aspects of art: body, music & sound, gender, sites & spaces, time and public.
We have great pleasure in inviting you to participate in this Rhythm Music Festival, 2023.
Ramachandran. K
Artistic Director & Project Co-ordinator
A Confluence of Rhythm Music Traditions
Wednesday 13th December 2023,
at CIDCO Convention Centre Auditorium, Vashi, Navi Mumbai at 6.30 pm
Inagural Programe
Guest of Honour:
Ramita Vikram Vyas (Vice President-Customer Experience , Akasa Air), Venugopal T (Managing Director, Oasis Trading LLC), Resul Pookutty (Oscar Award Winner), Venugopal B (Director on the Board of National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX)), Swati Apte (Director- Kshirsagar Foundation), Padmasree Mattanur Shankaran Kutty Marar (Rhythm Maestro and Chairman , Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi), Ustad Zakir Hussain, Peruvanam Kuttan Marar (Rhythm Maestro), Sanjna Kapoor (Theatre Activist), Riyas Komu (Renowned Sculptor, Visual Artist), Ravindra M. Rajhans (Chief Manager LIC), Dr Ajayya Kumar (Curator, PILF), Rajeev Menon (Festival Director, PIVF)
In Memoriam : Vidushi Annapoorna Devi(1927-2018)
Vidushi Annapoorna Devi (1927–2018)
The monastic pursuit of music of Maa Annapurna inspires an ever relevant debate of talented female performers facing the challenge and conflict of gender and social politics. The artistic loss due to such conflict is to be discussed and resolved by the people working towards an ideal progressive society. Keli is dedicating the festival towards the memory of Vidushi Annapurna Devi.
Felicitation: Presenting the lifetime achievement award to Ustad Zakir Hussain
Melam maestro Padmashree Peruvanam Kuttan Marar alongwith Thayambaka maestro Padmashree Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar will be presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Ustad Zakir Hussain.
Tabla (Solo)
Ustad Zakir Hussain
Accompanied by Dilshad Khan on Sarangi
Zakir Hussain's contributions to the global recognition of the tabla have been instrumental in shaping the contemporary landscape of Hindustani music. His role extends beyond just showcasing the instrument worldwide; he's been a bridge between the traditional roots of tabla and its fusion with diverse musical genres, showcasing its adaptability and versatility.
His collaborations aren't just limited to classical stalwarts but also extend to collaborations with groundbreaking contemporary musicians across the globe. Through these collaborations, Hussain has highlighted the tabla's adaptability to various musical styles while maintaining its essence.
His mastery as a solo performer further solidifies his stature as a flagbearer of classical music. His performances resonate not only with aficionados but also with new audiences, enriching the classical music landscape.
He received Padmashree in 1988, Padmabhushan in 2002, and the recent Padmavibhushan in 2023. His artistic brilliance and commitment to musical excellence continue to inspire generations of musicians and enthusiasts globally.
Confluence of Rhythm (Tabla and Chenda)
Ustad Zakir Hussain and Mattannur Sankaran Kutty Marar and group
Padmashree Mattanur Sankaran Kutty Marar is a maestro in the rhythm music of Kerala. He has had the good fortune to learn Chenda, Thimila, Idakka, and vocal music from the legendary gurus..
His area of expertise is Thayambaka, the solo on chenda and the rhythm ensemble, Melam. He has lead many prominent Melams and has also performed with many dancers including reputed flamenco dancer from Spain Ms. Bettina.
He has had rhythm confluences with legendary figures like Ustad Allah Rakha, Karaikkudi Mani, L Subrahmaniam, Ustad Zakir Husain, Hilari Westlike (UK), Nigel Watson, Nigel Johnson and many more.
He has travelled across the globe with his music and is presently the Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy.
Other participating artists : Mattannur Sreekanth, Mattannur Sreeraj, Vellinezhi Anand
The memento for the lifetime achievement award has been designed by Riyas Komu
Riyas Komu is an Indian multimedia artist and curator based in Mumbai. Komu's works are inspired by social conflicts and political movements and topics like migration and displacement. In 2007, he was one of two artists from India selected for the 52nd Venice Biennale by curator Robert Storr. He participated in the Jogja Biennale, Indonesia, 2011 and later went on to represent the Iranian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2015.
He is the ideator and co-founder of the of Kochi-Muziris Biennale. He also co-curated its first edition in 2012.
Seminar on Folklore
In associsation with IPTA, Kerala- Mumabai
Sunday 10th December 2023,
at Kerala House, Vashi, Navi Mumbai at 9.30 am to 6pm
Seminar on Folklore
Art pervades and encompasses experience and knowledge, expression and performance, thought and theory. Art, art history, performance, artists’ lives, the aesthetics, politics, economy and ecology of art - all form an essential part of art practice, theory and thinking. Naturally, any thinking about art becomes journeys into and through these domains. This seminar is an attempt to think through Kerala’s art/performance traditions by weaving together diverse social viewpoints, aesthetic experiences and theoretical insights.
1. Performance Art - Imagination, Practice, Indigeneity, Theory by Dr Aju K Narayanan
2. The Social Dimensions of Aesthetics by Dr Pavithran
3. The Secret Lives of a Language - ‘Mygurud’ by Dr.Sajnamol Amian
4. Sea - Legends and Rituals - What the Theyyams say by V K Anil Kumar
5. Functions of Folklore - Chavittu Natakam a case study by Dr Jolly Puthussery
6. The Visual Avatars of Performances Traditions by Dr. C S Venkiteswaran
A note of Thanks from Keli to:
Swati Apte, Thomas Mathew, M. Karthikeyan, Koshy, Ajayya Kumar, Rajeev Menon, Sreekumar Kaimal, DSK Associates, Indu Sagar, N Sreejith, Jerry Sebastian, Sibi Sathyan, Jayaprakash PD, Suresh Nair, Hariharan TN, Valsalan Moorkoth, Nisha Gilbert, Sasi Nair, IPTA, Kerala Mumbai, Kerala House, Mathrubhumi, Malayala Manorama, Manorama News, Mathrubhumi News, Asianet News
Set Design: Krishnadas Kadavanadu
Graphic Design: Rajesh Nair, Krishna Muraleedharan
Video: Krishna Muraleedharan, Shijin
Illustration: Krishnadas, Thilak Vallachira, Shihab