Chandra presented ‘The saga of songstress’, a thematic concert organised by the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) at the Experimental Theatre recently. The programme reminisced the contributions made by courtesans to Indian music. Thus the concert included repertoires of Gauhar Jaan (1873-1930), Janki Bai (1880-1934), Zohra Bai Agrewali (1868-1930), and the popular Begum Akhtar (1914-1974). Through Kalakar Arts UK, which she founded, she has scripted and directed musicals on Indian women singers, including Begum Akhtar. She began from the middle of Shakeel Badayuni’s popular ghazal with the sher, “Yoon toh har shaam umeedon mein guzar jaati hai; aaj kuchh baat hai jo shaam pe rona aaya” before singing the unforgettable opening lines, “Aye mohabbat tere anjaam pe rona aaya, jaane kyon aaj tere naam pe rona aaya”.

Source: The Hindu October 25, 2023 15:08 UTC