Pracheen Kala Kendra organized a special musical program, Basantotsav, at Vidyapati Bhawan Auditorium in Patna, Bihar. The event featured captivating performances by renowned artists of Bihar, including classical vocalist Dr. Ram Shankar, young sitar player Uma Shankar, and talented Kathak dancer Shri Ravi Prakash, who mesmerized the audience with their artistry. The chief guest, Dr. Raj Kumar Nahar, Director of All India Radio and DD Bihar, inaugurated the program. Meanwhile, eminent sarod player Dr. Rita Das graced the occasion as a special guest. Secretary of the Kendra, Shri Sajal Koser, honoured all the distinguished guests with mementoes and Uttariya, making the evening a memorable celebration of classical arts.
The 292nd Monthly Baithak Programme organized by Pracheen Kala Kendra was a spellbinding evening of classical music featuring a mesmerizing vocal recital by Kolkata-based eminent vocalist Sohini Roy Chowdhury. Held at the M.L. Koser Indoor Auditorium, Chandigarh, the event captivated the city’s music lovers with a soulful and evocative performance.
The delicate blend of emotive nuances and intricate taans left the audience spellbound. The brilliance of her performance was further accentuated by the flawless tabla accompaniment of city-based percussionist Dr Mahendra Prasad, whose rhythmic interplay enhanced the musical depth. The renowned harmonium virtuoso Zakir Dholpuri beautifully supported the performance, whose expertise added a melodic richness to the recital.
After this magical evening, Pracheen Kala Kendra Secretary Sh. Sajal Koser and Kathak Guru and Registrar Dr Shobha Koser honoured the artists with mementoes, acknowledging their immense contribution to Indian classical music.
This soul-stirring and melodious evening reaffirmed Pracheen Kala Kendra’s commitment to nurturing and promoting Indian classical music, immersing the audience in a truly divine musical experience.
The two-day special musical program Virasat, jointly organized by Pracheen Kala Kendra, Kalashree Delhi, and Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Academy, enthralled art lovers at Tagore Theatre with a magnificent display of classical dance and soulful music.
The inaugural day was dedicated to classical dance forms, beginning with a graceful Kathak performance by the repertory of Kalashree, choreographed by renowned Kathak exponent Dr. Kavita Thakur. Their presentation, Anavarat, beautifully depicted the balance between tradition and modernity. At the same time, their unique composition, KathakYog, blended the elegance of Kathak with the discipline of Yoga, leaving the audience spellbound.
Following this, Bharatanatyam virtuoso Samrat Dutta took centre stage, portraying life’s journey through the divine manifestations of the Goddess. The evening concluded with an expressive Odissi recital by Swapna Rani Sinha and her senior disciples. Swapna’s solo rendition of Navarasas—the nine essential emotions in dance—was deeply evocative. At the same time, Anisha and Anushka captivated the audience with a duet depicting Radha-Krishna’s eternal love. The program concluded with a powerful Agni Stuti set to Raag Malika.
The event was inaugurated with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony in the esteemed presence of Shri S.S. Parmar, IAS (Retd.), former Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, as Chief Guest, and eminent Sitar maestro Pt. Harvinder Sharma as Guest of Honor. The occasion was also graced by Sh. Sajal Koser, Secretary of Pracheen Kala Kendra, Dr Shobha Koser, Registrar, and Dr Samira Koser, Deputy Registrar, along with distinguished guests including Dr Sanjay Sharma, Bhimsen Sharma, and Dr Sunil Malhotra, who were felicitated for their contributions to the arts.
A minute’s silence was observed in tribute to Ustad Rashid Khan Sahib before the performances began. At the end of the evening, Kathak Guru Dr Shobha Koser honoured the participating artists.
The concluding day of Virasat celebrated the rich musical heritage of India, culminating in an energetic display of Punjab’s folk traditions—renowned Chandigarh-based instrumentalist Pt. Subhash Ghosh mesmerized the audience with his performance on the Saraswani, a unique instrument of his creation, blending elements of Sitar, Sarod, and Veena. A disciple of Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ghosh Ji, an ‘A’ grade artist of AIR and Doordarshan, opened his recital with Raag Bihag, skillfully weaving Alaap, Jhala, and intricate Layakari, and later paid tribute to Ustad Rashid Khan Sahib through a soulful presentation in Raag Saraswati. His concluding piece—a folk melody of Punjab in celebration of Lohri—was met with thunderous applause, accompanied flawlessly by Delhi’s young tabla sensation Zaheen Khan.
The evening reached its vibrant climax with a high-energy Bhangra performance under the direction of Peter Sodhi. Dressed in colourful traditional attire, the dancers infused the auditorium with electrifying energy, their rhythmic footwork and dhol beat setting the stage ablaze. The dynamic display of Punjab’s folk spirit left the audience spellbound.
At the closing ceremony, Secretary of Pracheen Kala Kendra Sh. Sajal Koser, Kathak Guru and Registrar Dr. Shobha Koser, Program Curator Dr. Kavita Thakur, and CSNA Chairman Sh. Sudesh Sharma honoured all participating artists, marking the successful conclusion of Virasat. This festival truly celebrated India’s rich musical and dance heritage.
The 291st Monthly Baithak of Pracheen Kala Kendra offered a captivating evening of Indian classical music as Kolkata-based Sitar virtuoso Partha Pratim Roy enthralled the audience with his soulful rendition. Held at the M.L. Koser Indoor Auditorium, the concert transported music lovers into a world of mesmerizing ragas and intricate melodies.
Adding depth and dynamism to the recital was the accomplished Tabla maestro Jaidev of Punjab Gharana, whose rhythmic expertise complemented the sitar beautifully.
At the end of the program, Registrar Dr Shobha Koser honoured the artists with Uttariya and mementoes, while Sh. Sajal Koser delivered a vote of thanks, acknowledging the media, the artists, and the audience for their support and appreciation.
Pracheen Kala Kendra, in collaboration with Sangeet Kala Kendra Agra and Pt. Raghunath Talegaonkar Foundation Trust organized the 59th edition of the Ninaad Festival on 9th & 10th December 2023 at J.P. Auditorium, Khandari Complex, Agra.
The festival featured mesmerizing performances by eminent musicians and dancers, including Vidushi Shaswati Mandal, Pt. Poornesh Bhagwat (Vocal), Pt. Kalinath Mishra (Tabla), Pt. Sugato Nag (Sitar), Dr. Bipul Kumar Roy (Santoor), and Vidushi Astha Godbole Kalekar (Kathak). Their exceptional artistry captivated the audience, making the event a grand success and a true celebration of Indian classical music and dance.
After a glorious decade of remarkable performances, the 11th edition of Guru M.L. Koser Festival of Music and Dance was a resounding success, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of music lovers in the capital. Organized by Pracheen Kala Kendra at the prestigious Kamani Auditorium on 25th and 26th November 2023, the festival was a true celebration of Indian classical arts, featuring a stellar lineup of distinguished and talented artists.
The festival witnessed soulful, mesmerizing, and incredible performances by renowned maestros, including the enthralling Vocal & Sitar duet by Debapriya Adhikary and Samanvya Sarkar, the spellbinding Odissi dance presentation by Vidushi Sujata Mohapatra and her troupe, the dynamic Drum-Violin duet by Sh. Ranjit Barot and Deepak Pandit, and the divine vocal recital by Indrani Mukherjee.
The event’s grandeur was further elevated by the presence of esteemed personalities from the world of classical music and dance, including Eminent journalist Smt. Manjari Sinha, renowned vocalist Sunanda Sharma, Kuchipudi exponent Meenu Thakur, vocalist Uma Garg, noted vocalist Padmaja Chakraborty, Pandit Devendra Verma, classical vocalist Pandit Suresh Gandharv, senior art critic Shri Ravindra Mishra, Guru Shri Rajendra Gangani, classical vocalist Shri Amjad Ali Khan, tabla exponent Shri Fateh Singh Gangani, violinist Ustad Asghar Hussain, classical singer Mohsin Khan, and tabla maestro Vinod Lele. Their presence added a special charm to the festival, making it an unforgettable experience.
The Guru M.L. Koser Festival of Music and Dance is a beacon of artistic excellence, celebrating the timeless traditions of Indian classical music and dance while inspiring future generations.
Pracheen Kala Kendra, in collaboration with its affiliated centre Geeti Bithika, Kolkata, organized a splendid Cultural Classical Evening at Aban Mahal, Dhakuria, on 30th July 2023. The event celebrated classical music, featuring talented Geeti Bithika students who showcased their dedication and artistry through mesmerizing performances.
The program was conceptualized by eminent vocalist Sohini Roy Chowdhury and her team, ensuring a rich and soulful experience for the audience. The evening was a tribute to the timeless beauty of Indian classical music, highlighting the depth and passion of young, aspiring artists under the guidance of seasoned mentors.
Pracheen Kala Kendra humbly pays tribute to legendary personalities of the art world who have rendered remarkable services in classical art and culture by bestowing the prestigious Guru M.L. Koser Award. This exceptionally distinctive honour is a recognition and salute to the talent of an artist by an artist. Named after Guru Madan Lal Koser, the founder of Pracheen Kala Kendra, this award acknowledges his legacy as an artist, visionary, and dedicated patron of Indian classical art and culture.
The 18th annual Guru M.L. Koser Award was presented in a glittering ceremony held at Gyanmancha Auditorium on 17th May 2023. The event was graced by Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, Banga Vibhushan awardee and internationally acclaimed tabla maestro, who served as the Chief Guest and conferred the prestigious honour upon distinguished stalwarts of Indian classical music:
Pt. Shyamal Chatterjee – Legendary Sitar Maestro
Pt. Swaraj Bhattacharya – Senior Tabla Maestro
Pt. Narendra Nath Dhar – Renowned Sarod Maestro
Pt. Swapan Siva – Eminent Tabla Maestro
These esteemed artists were honoured for their unparalleled contributions in their respective fields. The award, which includes a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, a shawl, citation, and memento, is a token of appreciation for their lifelong dedication to popularizing Indian classical music.
The event was further graced by Dr. Prof. Chandradipa Ghosh, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, who attended as the Guest of Honour.
Following the award ceremony, the evening became a mesmerizing showcase of Indian classical music. It featured remarkable performances by the maestros and their disciples, leaving the audience spellbound.
The Guru M.L. Koser Award continues to stand as a beacon of excellence, inspiring generations to uphold and celebrate the rich traditions of Indian classical music.
