Purab Rang by Son Chiriya recently presented a host of unique performing arts from Uttar Pradesh between 14 to 18 March, 2017. This was in commemoration of the shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan’s birth centenary. We heard the legendary Girija Devi on vocal and Rajen Prasanna on shehnai during this event. The four day soiree concluded with a performance by Shekhar Sen based on the life of the saint Kabeer.
This was a one man show with Sen being the playwright, actor, singer, director and composer. The piece included almost 250 songs or couplets by Kabeer and was interspersed by narratives. Dressed as Kabeer, Sen was alone on the stage for about 2 hours with a 10 minutes break. Typically a musical, Sen sang the songs live and the full house clapped in admiration and awe when he sang any familiar doha. He assayed the role of Kabeer as well as other characters who came and went in the saint’s life. The script was sprinkled with humor to provide some light moments to the heavy theme. This made it one complete show that would appeal to all.
The al fresco amphitheater at Ravi Shankar Centre for Arts (RIMPA) was lingering with the fragrance of fresh flowers and tuberose that had been hung as stage decoration. It was a perfect way to user in the season spring in Delhi. Sekhar Sen has other similar one man musicals such as Soordas and Vivekananda and we look forward to seeing more.
Seems like a good show. Nowadays, we rarely get this kind of opportunity to watch and enjoy shows about saints like Kabeer.
I wish I was in the audience… This sounds really beautiful and amazing! Lovely post!
I love attending these soulful events and spend some time humming beautiful melodies. Love the blog post!
That seems to be an interesting and entertaining act. I really wish I could have witnessed it, I love watching plays, acts, performances etc. Those live shows brings great goosebumps.
I feel a strong connection with music and reading stuff like this seems so interesting to me.
Kabeer k couplets or dohe… They have fascinated me since childhood! I love watching musicals too.
Wow this must have been a wonderful experience for the audience.
Wow. I would have loved to be a part of the four day soiree. Must have been such a wonderful experience for both of you.