A fine-arts showcase, Indian style

If you’ve always wanted to see a Kathak dance performance (a form of Indian classical dance), the SIFAS (Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society) Festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance 2016 offers the perfect introduction to this enchanting form of art.

Featuring over 50 performances, the 14th edition of the festival showcases a strong line-up of local and international stalwarts from the field of Indian performing arts.
Organised by SIFAS in conjunction with Esplanade —Theatres on the Bay, this year’s festival runs from March 24 to April 10 and features five ticketed programmes at the Esplanade. 

More than 50 local and regional artistes will also perform at the SIFAS Auditorium* over a two-week period starting today. All performances at the SIFAS Auditorium are free of charge.

Here are some of the performers you can look forward to seeing at the SIFAS Auditorium.

Dr M Lalitha and M Nandini

March 24, 7.05pm to 8.25pm

Also known in India as the Violin Sisters, internationally acclaimed violinists M Lalitha and M Nandini have enthralled audiences with their spell-binding performances. The duo are known for their rare musical insight combined with their creativity, innate artistry and technical brilliance. They have captivated audiences the world over, often performing at major festivals globally.

Accompanying artistes
Mridangam: Tripunithura Sreekanth
Ghatam: Mahesh Parameswaran
Kanjira: Muthu Subramanian P

Mulla Afsar Khan

March 24, 8.40pm to 9.55pm

Mulla Afsar Khan conducts North Indian Kathak dance lessons at SIFAS. He holds a post-graduate diploma in Kathak from Kathak Kendra, the National Institute of Kathak Dance in New Delhi. Afsar has merged Kathak with other dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Chaau and even tap dancing, working with a variety of acclaimed Indian dancers, including Uma Sharma, Shovana Narayan and Geetanjali Lal.  

The Kathak form of dance can trace its origins to poets of ancient northern India, known as Kathakars or storytellers. In its current form, Kathak dance incorporates elements of temple and ritual dances.

Accompanying artistes
Vocals: Shibani Roy
Padhant: Jyotika Joshi
Sitar: Susanta Chowdhury
Tabla: Mihir Kundu

Haritha Dipu Das 

March 28, 7.45pm to 9pm

A renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, Haritha Dipu Das was a key faculty member of Kalakshetra, a cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of traditional values in Indian art, where she did her post-graduate studies in Bharatanatyam. 

Awarded the Shankara Menon Award by Kalakshetra in 2005, she has also received citations from the Kalakshetra Repertory Company and won numerous competitions. She has also performed at a variety of overseas festivals and has undergone extensive training in Kathakali.

Accompanying artistes
Vocals: Susanth P
Nattuvangam: Vikas P N
Violin: N Ravindran
Mridangam: Tripunithura Sreekanth

Vaishnavi Anand

March 29, 7.45pm to 9pm

Vaishnavi Anand is an accomplished Carnatic vocalist and exponent of a distinct style of Indian dance known as Bharata Nrityam. This form of dance is based on Indian religious concepts and aesthetic principles.  She has been studying this dance form from her mother, Dr Jayashree Rajagopalan, for over three decades and has been undergoing advanced training under Dr Padma Subramanyam in Chennai since 2003. She has won numerous awards for her fine arts performances. 

Vaishnavi has also founded an institution called CHETAS — Centre for Holistic Enrichment Through Arts in Singapore, where she conducts training in vocal music, violin, Bharatanatyam and Yoga.

Pandit Barun Kumar Pal

April 4, 6.30pm to 8pm

Pandit Barunkumar Pal is a Hansa Veena (a modified Hawaiian guitar) artist from India. He hails from a family of renowned Indian classical musicians. 
He is recognised for his pioneering efforts in introducing the Hansa Veena to the world of Indian classical music. His innovative efforts have created a unique sound and powerful connection between the slide guitar and Indian classical music. Pandit is renowned for his abilities as a solo player, composer and passionate musician.

Nishanth Thiagarajan 

April 6, 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Nishanth began learning Carnatic vocals at the age of six. Carnatic vocalists usually keep their rhythm by moving their hands up and down in specified patterns, while simultaneously keeping time with their fingers. 

Nishanth joined SIFAS in 2006 and is now being mentored by Delhi Muthukumar from Chennai. Nishanth completed the eight-year diploma course at SIFAS under the tutelage of Guru S P P Rao, and bagged the best student’ award in his fifth year. He often performs at SIFAS concerts and in the December Music Season in India. He is currently studying medicine at the National University of Singapore.

Accompanying artistes
Violin: N Ravindran
Mridangam: Sai Akileshwar V M

SIFAS Festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance 2016

Date: March 24 to April 10
Venues: Esplanade Theatres by the Bay (ticketed, SISTIC charges apply); SIFAS Auditorium (free)
Tickets: Available at SISTIC and SIFAS
For online bookings, visit sistic.com.sg.
For information on SIFAS Auditorium performances, visit sifas.org.
*The SIFAS Auditorium is located at 2A Starlight Road.

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