Award-winning and celebrated Indian classical dancer Dr Sonal Mansingh is set for a very special virtual performance this weekend in memory of world-famous music legend Pandit Ravi Shankar.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in collaboration with Shubhendra Rao, an established sitar artist, and violin/cello artist Saskia Rao-de Haas have been hosting the live concert series entitled "Unlock the Music". The third concert in this series will be by Padma Vibhushan Dr Sonal Mansingh, who will be presenting ‘Krshna Natya Katha' on Saturday, December 19, and can be followed here.
Dr Sonal Mansingh was nominated by the President of India to the Rajya Sabha, India's Upper House of Parliament, in July 2018 in recognition of her life-long dedication and service to India’s arts. She is the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan, among the highest civilian honours in India.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, nominated her as a Navratna for the Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission). Her unique contribution is recognised as her lifelong work using her knowledge to address socio-cultural issues through the chosen medium of dance, as a soloist, teacher, choreographer and motivational speaker.
As the Founder-President of Shri Kamakhya Kalapeeth (Centre for Indian Classical Dances), she has trained several hundred talented students who are carrying the message of Indian culture globally. She teaches the art as a holistic concept, combining music, Yoga, Sanskrit and cultural traditions of India.
Her virtual concert this weekend is part of an e-Baithak series launched in October to keep the feel of live performance alive through the coronavirus lockdown.
The first in the series marked a performance by Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar followed by Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya. In January 2021, Pandit Subhendra Rao and Saskia Rao-de Haas are scheduled to perform, with Pandit Madhup Mudgal scheduled for a show in February. The series concludes in March 2021 with a performance by Pandit Pravin GodKhindi.
*Info: Concert details here