The Gift of Music
With a series of select Indian and Western classical music concerts, the NCPA-Citi Online Edition celebrates a cherished association through stellar performances
The National Centre for the Performing Arts and Citi go back a long way in their shared cherishment of culture. This association that has endured and only grown stronger over the years recently added a welcome dimension to its broad spectrum of initiatives.
As the state of Maharashtra navigates the tricky terrain of what is being called the beginning of a second wave of Covid-19, the digital medium promises to offer a means of sustained engagement with the arts. NCPA@home, the organisation’s digital series that has regularly broadcast concerts, performances and talks to art-loving audiences across India and the world, will be presenting the NCPA-Citi Online Edition from 28th March to 2nd April.
A series of select concerts from the much-loved music properties as part of this association, it will showcase performances from Citi-NCPA Aadi Anant Festival, NCPA-Citi Promising Artistes Series, and concerts by the Symphony Orchestra of India, of which Citi is a proud patron. Curated specially for the music enthusiast, this vibrant blend of Indian classical and Western classical music features Indian music virtuosos like Zakir Hussain and Hariprasad Chaurasia as well as internationally renowned violinist and founding Music Director of the SOI Marat Bisengaliev, Associate Music Director Zane Dalal and Italian piano virtuoso Roberto Prosseda. Citi supports the musical development of students in Indian music at the NCPA, which also provides young artistes a platform to showcase their talent. Ensuring that the pandemic does not hinder this important opportunity, the series includes two concerts by four such young artistes that have been specially recorded at the NCPA for digital dissemination.
Says Mr. Khushroo N. Suntook, Chairman, NCPA,
“Through the power of great music performed by maestri in their own field, the NCPA is proud to bring to a wide national and international audience immortal performances, carefully captured live, and in earlier cases, restored through the digital platform with constant support from Citi which we gratefully acknowledge. We have had a wonderful relation with Citi over the years. We trust it will continue because the Citi’s tradition for supporting the areas where it functions, especially the socio-economic as well as the artistic activities, is internationally known.”
Mr. Ashu Khullar, Chief Executive Officer, Citi India and Regional Head for South Asia, says,
“Over a decade ago, the NCPA and Citi came together and planted the seeds to two wonderful initiatives – the Western Music Programme and the Guru-Shishya Programme. Over this period, our partnership has formed deep roots, nurturing both programmes that are flourishing and bearing fruit. The NCPA has been quick in adapting its work to embrace the digital medium in order to connect and engage with its audience. With the NCPA-Citi Online Edition series, we salute our artistic legacy as well as heartily welcome the innovative endeavours in the arts, with a hope that together we can nurture and nourish creative excellence and enrich our heritage for the benefit of generations to follow.”
The concerts will be streamed on NCPA’s Facebook page and YouTube channel from 28th March to 2nd April, 2021, at 8 pm, and will be available online for seven days for audiences to watch them at their convenience.
