Music of India
Qawwali music holds a significant place within the diverse tapestry of Indian classical music. Rooted in the mystical tradition of Sufism, qawwali represents a unique form of devotional music that has captivated audiences for centuries. This article aims to delve into the essence of qawwali, exploring its origins, musical characteristics,
Know Your Composer
It is not entirely clear when Franz Schubert met Franz von Schober (1796–1882). But from the very beginning, the two men had a special relationship. Gifted, charismatic and undisciplined, Schober was tall, smooth, good-looking and a gifted orator. Basically, everything Schubert was not. Eduard von Bauernfeld once quipped, “Schober
Music of India
Indian classical music is known for its rich and diverse musical traditions, each with its unique characteristics and styles. Dhrupad is one of the oldest and most revered forms of Indian classical music, which has its roots in ancient Vedic chants. It is a genre that is deeply embedded in
Interviews
Abhishek Poddar, a prominent collector and patron of the arts in India, has made significant contributions to the art world. With a passion for South Asian art, craft, and antiquities, Poddar has amassed an impressive collection that includes modern and contemporary art and photography. He is also the driving force
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There are many notable sounds in horse racing. There is the thundering of the hooves as each horse pounds down the stretch, which is only matched by the thunderous shoes of successful bettors charging to the windows. The jockeys call, cry out, and smooch to their mounts to urge out
News
Menahem Pressler, the pianist and founding member of the Beaux Arts Trio, passed away on May 6. He was 99. Born in Magdeburg, Germany, the 14-year-old Pressler hid from Nazi thugs who vandalized the shop owned by his Jewish parents during the Kristallnacht. In 1939, the family fled and emigrated,
Music of India
If music were charted on a gender spectrum, popular theory has it that the dhrupad would fall on the masculine end and the thumri feminine, with the khayal somewhere on the continuum but tending towards the masculine. This would explain why the thumri has been at the heart of some
Music Education
When it comes to classical music, one of the most beloved and enduring ensembles is the string quartet. With its rich, sonorous sound and elegant arrangements, the string quartet has captured the imaginations of music lovers for centuries. But what exactly is a string quartet, and why is it so
Music of India
Serendipity Arts, a non-profit organization for the development of arts and culture in India and the South Asian region, has launched its annual grants. The grants this year are an inclusive set of offerings that aim to benefit artists and creative professionals from various practices like music, dance, culinary arts,
Interviews
For the first time, the Salzburg Festival presents Bohuslav Martinů’s four-act opera The Greek Passion this summer. The libretto by the composer is based on Nikos Kazantzakis’ novel Christ Recrucified. The action is timeless and topical, and parallels with current events cannot be overlooked: the inhabitants of a Greek
Music of India
ON Stage brings you edited excerpts from the NCPA Quarterly Journal, an unsurpassed literary archive that ran from 1972 to 1988 and featured authoritative and wide-ranging articles. In a riveting overview, cultural historian Geeti Sen discusses music and musical instruments in the paintings of the Akbarnama. From contemporary sources of
Opera is a form of musical theatre that has been an integral part of Western classical music for over four centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the late 16th century in Italy, where it quickly gained popularity and spread to other European countries. Since then, opera has evolved