Kaza Business Consultants, operating under the banner of KBC Arts, organised an event at the East Ham Mahalakshmi Temple on October 29 2023 dedicated to exploring and acknowledging the works of 15/16th Century poets Kabir/Tulsi/ Surdas, highly-respected Indian saints/poets/composers.
KBC organises two annual events at the Mahalakshmi temple in London, each dedicated to the compositions of a specific poet with the mission to perpetuate and raise awareness of India's rich cultural heritage.
This event marked the 13th installment in the series hosted by KBC Arts, with each gathering focusing on a distinct poet or a set of poets.
These events are open to all performers and are free for the audience, with a specific emphasis on encouraging younger generations to explore and understand these cultural treasures, a press release for KBC said.
Performers have the freedom to express the poets' work through various art forms such as Carnatic music, Bharathnatyam, Kuchipudi dance, or musical instruments, creating a diverse and enriching experience for all attendees.
Guiding the audience through the enchanting narratives of the poets' lives was Jayashree Varadarajan, who urged attendees to familiarise themselves with the compositions and philosophies of Kabir, Tulsi, and Surdas.
While Pushkala Gopal, MBE, a distinguished artist, captivated the audience with her insights into the mysticism of the poets and their profound influence on the Bhakti movement. She praised the organisers for their innovative approach, emphasising that such events are vital to preserving the legacy of these poets, as their compositions resonate with followers even today.
The evening came alive with performances, including dances by Ranjani Dharmarajan (Gaiye Ganpati Jagvandan) and renowned artists Sankari Mridha (Sri Ramachandra Kripalu) and Lavanya Rao (Gopi Gopala Lala).
Additionally, Shruti Sriram, an eminent singer, and her students regaled the audience with renditions of timeless compositions. Furthermore, another set of students, trained by singer Padmini Pasumarthy impressed the attendees.
Additionally, the renowned singer Shruti Sriram and her students regaled the audience with their renditions of timeless compositions. Furthermore, another group of students, under the guidance of singer Padmini Pasumarthy, left a lasting impression on the attendees with their performances.
Also, the talented young singer Dhriti Srinath, only seven years old, captivated all present with her rendition of Darshan do Ghanshyam.
The performances which were complemented by the beats of the Mridangam, played by Vijyeyarajah Mylvaganam concluded with Hanuman Chalisa (Tulsidas) with the entire audience collectively reciting the same.
The evening ended with an Aarti performed by the temple priests.
The event was captured through the lenses of Aaditya Kaza and the concept to execution of the event was coordinated by Geetha and Prabhakar Kaza, the founding patrons of KBC Arts.
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