It’s 6 am on a cold December morning when audiences board a ship that meanders by means of the river Ganga. As the boat docks on the Guleria Ghat, the anticipation heightens. On disembarking, they’re greeted by a panoramic sight of the dawn and the mist enveloping the Ganga, heralding the seventh version of the Mahindra Kabira Music Festival in Varanasi. The celebration of the 15th Century mystique poet and saint Kabir begins on a serene notice.
Amidst this pure spectacle, Sandeep Singh, a maestro of the taus, takes centre stage and holds the viewers in thrall along with his distinctive peacock-shaped instrument. This is quickly adopted by a tribute live performance to mark the centenary of Pandit Kumar Gandharva, by singer Bhuvanesh Komkali, the legend’s grandson.
One couldn’t have requested for a greater begin to the two-day programme from December 16-17, 2023, curated by the Mahindra Group and Teamwork Arts, an artwork and tradition manufacturing firm. The occasions that adopted had been Kabir-centric.
Heritage Walk, by means of the traditional edifices amid the ghats
| Photo Credit:
S B Vijaya Mary
The famed malaiyo of Varanasi, an attraction on the fest
| Photo Credit:
S B Vijaya Mary
The gathering of delegates from throughout the nation and a number of other components of the world had been handled to a luxurious programme of classical, folks and fusion music and insightful discourse impressed by Kabir, heritage walks, temple visits, Ganga Arati, boat rides, and a spread of meals curated day by day with signature native Banarasi dishes.
Celebrating range
Jay Shah, vp and head of Cultural Outreach Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd
| Photo Credit:
Special association
The Kabira competition has been a journey of cultural evolution and inventive exploration, says Jay Shah, vp and head of Cultural Outreach Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
Speaking in between the classes, he says, “The Kabira festival has emerged as a cultural phenomenon, transcending its local roots to become a brand synonymous with music, art and celebration of diversity. Over the past seven years, the festival has not only established itself as a mainstay in Varanasi’s cultural calendar but has also evolved to attract a diverse audience from across the country.”
The organisers’ aim is to combine every competition into the cultural material of the town, making it a everlasting fixture in that metropolis’s calendar. This strategy is clear of their different profitable ventures, such because the Mahindra Blues Festival and Mahindra Independence Rock Festival in Mumbai, the Mahindra Percussion Festival in Bengaluru, the Mahindra Sanatkada Festival in Lucknow and the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) in Delhi. Each competition is meticulously curated to replicate the essence and identification of its host metropolis,” provides Shah.
Beyond the normal renditions of Kabir’s poetry and music, the competition has turn into a platform for inventive exploration and problem. Artistes are inspired to step out of their consolation zones, creating distinctive performances that transcend the standard interpretations of Kabir’s work. For instance, artistes like Raghu Dixit have embraced the problem of singing in a language international to the competition’s origin, showcasing the competition’s potential to push boundaries and encourage creativity.”
Sacred & particular
Sanjoy Roy, MD, Teamwork Arts
| Photo Credit:
Special association
Speaking in regards to the significance of the Kabira competition over different curated festivals by Mahindra, Sanjoy Roy, MD, Teamwork Arts, says that is the primary of their Sacred collection and maybe the oldest. “It is very close to Teamwork’s heart. What better place to do it than Varanasi, which is a spiritual and religious centre of India? “
The various interpretations of Kabir’s songs, philosophy, and poetry by different festival artistes reflect his message’s flexibility and adaptability. Says Roy, “Kabir’s embrace of alternative viewpoints and diverse perspectives is evident in both his philosophies and the bani, which sometimes diverge from his explicit teachings. He employed riddles to challenge his audience, pushing them to seek understanding and pose questions. Kabir was never confined to a single viewpoint or system but encouraged questioning and resisting normative forms.”
Roy says that the poetry itself wasn’t essentially all attributed to or completed by Kabir; it assimilated over time. “The purest form is seen in the Guru Granth Sahib, where Kabir’s hymns are also included. It was the first and earliest collection that we have seen. And now we will see the collection of 400 songs in Rajasthani very soon,” provides Roy.
While the core of the competition stays firmly rooted in Varanasi, the organisers aimed to unfold the competition’s affect past its birthplace. To obtain this, they’ve launched pop-up codecs in different areas. These smaller occasions function a teaser, providing a glimpse of the principle competition and constructing consciousness in numerous cities. For occasion, the Mahindra Blues particular in Chicago brings a style of the Mumbai competition to a world viewers and acts as a catalyst for curiosity and engagement.
Varanasi and past
Shah acknowledges the significance of steadily increasing and embracing new areas, as demonstrated by lately including a competition in Bengaluru. Hyderabad, being the headquarters of Tech Mahindra, has naturally entered the issues of the competition organisers. “While there are no concrete plans yet, the possibility of bringing the Kabira Festival to Hyderabad is not ruled out,” says Shah.
A major half of the Teamwork is devoted to crafting an immersive expertise. Over seven editions, this facet has undergone appreciable refinement. Says Roy, “The encounter you had in the seventh year differs from what you might have experienced in the first. We’ve witnessed evolution – not just in the festival itself but also in the locations and spaces we’ve employed. The nature of our presentations has progressed, and the festival’s acceptance within the city has expanded. Numerous changes have taken place, and our goal is to bring about positive differences year after year consistently.”
Manganiyar’s magic
Anwar Khan Manganiyar on the fest
| Photo Credit:
Special association
When Anwar Khan Manganiyar, a famend sufi, folks, and conventional vocalist of Rajasthani music, took the stage on the Shivala ghat, pleasure was within the air. The visible spectacle of him on stage, with one hand cupping his ear and the opposite raised within the air, provides to the enchantment of his music. Here, he introduced a recent perspective to Kabir’s bhakti, infusing it with the wealthy sufi and folks music traditions.
In a backstage interview, Khan shared his emotions about acting at such a sacred location. He thought of it an honour and a blessing to current his music in an area the place the viewers, fellow artistes, and organisers are all deeply linked to Kabir’s philosophy.
He highlighted the overwhelming sensation of performing by the Ganges and acknowledged the competition as a major platform for spreading the music of his Manganiyar group. Khan emphasised the significance of such occasions in enabling their musical custom to succeed in various audiences, expressing gratitude for the assist they obtain from patrons that sustains their cultural heritage.