Tabla.Inc and Art Illuminates Mankind jointly organised Rang 2023, a celebration of Holi with colours, flowers, dance and music. Held on March 1 and 2 at Moram Earth, an ecoresort near Santiniketan, it was an experience that provided unbridled enjoyment and at the same time appealed to the soul.
The first day’s programme commenced with a Baul Akhra featuring Pandit Tanmoy Bose, Sadhan Das Bairagi and Maki Kajumi, along with their students and other musicians. This was followed by a classical music session by the students of VisvaBharati University. Principal of Santiniketan Shishu Tirtha School, Sudripta Tagore presented a solo Esraj recital and students of Visva-Bharati performed dances accompanied by Tagore songs. The day ended with mesmerising Baul songs presented by Kartick Das Baul, Sadhan Das Bairagi, Maki Kajumi, Radheshyam Baul, Akkash Fakir and Krishna Das Bairaggya.
The second day started with Hari Naam Sankirtan (prayer songs in praise of Lord Krishna), followed by a prabhat pheri (early morning walk) through the redsoil roads of Debanandapur, the village surrounding Moram, in which villagers joined in and played with abir. Participants also had the opportunity to spin the potter’s wheel and witness the magic of seeing a lump of clay transforming into an earthen vessel. Post-lunch, members of the Bangla band Paridhi and Baul singers enjoyed an impromptu jamming session that led to a fusion of folk and semi-classical songs. The evening started with a Manipuri dance performance by the students of Sangeet Bhavana of Vishwa-Bharati under the guidance and supervision of their teacher, Prof. Sumit Basu. The segment comprised nine dance performances and a special performance of Tagore’s dance drama Chitrangada by Tuhin Garai and Ankita Das. Then Paridhi gave an outstanding performance that included their own compositions as well as some folk songs of Lalon Fakir. Rang 2023 came to an end with Baul songs by Radheshyam Baul and Krishna Das and a joyous abir khela, in which participants, hosts and audience smeared each other with colours and enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
A prabhat pheri (walk at dawn) around the village surrounding Moram was a colourful and musical affair. A large group of people played with abir and fervently sang folk songs. As they walked along a path strewn with crimson palash flowers, they were joined by enthusiastic villagers.
(L-R) Tanmay Bose,Naresh Bagewadi, Radheshyam Baul
Tabla.Inc founder Pandit TanmoyBose welcomed guests and participants before inaugurating the two-day cultural festival to celebrate the festival of colours.
Naresh Bagewadi played Raga Kaafi on the sitar.
Radheshyam Baul’s songs were poignant reflections of devotion, love and loss.
Women smeared abir on Tabla.Inc director Bonnya Bose (second from left) as they took part in abir khela on the second day of the celebration.
Shalini Mitra presented Raga Kaushik Dhwani and celebrate the festival of colours. the famous Dadra Rang sari gulabi, accompanied by Shiladitya Chattoraj on the tabla.
(l-r)Sudripta Tagore presented a solo Esraj recital,Kartick Das Baul’s passionate and soulful rendition of Baul songs captivated the hearts of the audience
Moram co-founder Sonali Chakraborty (left) with Tabla.Inc director Bonnya Bose. “We are looking forward to organising such an event every year, hopefully on a larger scale,” said the latter.
Girls from the village near Moram presented an innovative semi-classical choreographic piece on the popular Tagore song Orey grihabashi.
(l-r) Bangla Band, Baul performance
Bangla band Paridhi entertained the audience with their original compositions. They also presented a few well-known folk songs of Lalon Fakir.
A Baul performance on the first evening of the festival transported the audience to a spiritual realm.