Chandigarh, India,
2004
HOME
PAGE
|
|
P
A T I A L A H E R I T A G
E W E E K — 2 0 0 4
|
|
|
Given below are links
in chronological order to stories related to
Patiala Heritage
Festival — 2004.
|
PATIALA DIARY
Heritage
Fest good on events, low on tourism
THE number of events
which were crammed into the Heritage Festival in the city which
concluded last week was mind-boggling. From two top-notch classical
performances for four days, besides a play by Habib Tanveer, Ghulam
Ali’s ghazals and performances by music groups ‘Stereo Nation’
and ‘Junoon’, one had a high profile cricket match, polo, rural
sports, painting exhibition and lots more.
Pak
rock band charms Patiala fans
Patiala,
February 23
There is more to “Junoon” than music. For 13 years now, the three
members of South Asia’s biggest rock group have been crusading
against fundamentalism and corruption back home in Pakistan.
Members of “Junoon”, the
Pakistan-based rock band, strike familiar melodies on their arrival in
Patiala, where they performed at the closing ceremony of the Patiala
Heritage Festival on Sunday.
— Tribune photo by Rajesh Sachar
Salman
of ‘Junoon’ visits his ancestral house
Patiala,
February 23
The Sandhas of Namdar Khan road were in for a pleasant surprise today.
“It was as if our wish had come true”, they said when they saw
Salman Ahmed, the star of the ‘Junoon’ group, at their door.
Surprise gave way to good old punjabi warmth with the family jostling
to get the proverbial “thanda” and showing their VIP visitor all
the nooks and corners of the colonial house.
Salman Ahmad from Pakistan
meets members of the family currently residing in the house of his
mother's family, in Patiala on Monday.
Heritage
fest ends on a musical note
The Patiala Heritage
Festival, which started with a series of soulful classical
performances ended with a bang with hundred of watts of foot tapping
music forcing a jam packed crowd in Yadvindra Public School stadium to
rock all night. The crowd braced the chilly winds and continued to
enthusiastically support Gursewak Mann, Stereonation and Junoon late
into the night.
Taz of stereonation performs
at the pop concert in Patiala on Sunday night. — Photo by Rajesh
Sachar
I
am black sheep of family, says Taz
Patiala, February 22
He chose to chase a dream. When
Tarsem Singh or Taz as he is popularly called decided to give up a
course in industrial design to pursue a musical career, the only thing
that buoyed him up was his own belief in himself. Thus came about
Stereo Nation, a melodious entity that has carved a distinct niche for
itself the world over.
Ghulam
Ali mesmerises his ‘ustadon ka shahar’
Patiala, February 21
Ghulam Ali remains humble to the hilt, yet he takes no credit for what he is. So at the Heritage Festival here last evening he attributed his success to his ustads from the Patiala
Gharana. The first submission he made after occupying the dais
against the backdrop of the Old Moti Bagh Palace was, “Yeh
sheher mere ustadon ka hai.
Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali performs at Patiala’s Old Moti Bagh Palace on Friday.
— Photo by Rajesh Sachar |
 |
 Salma Sultan dons director’s cap
Patiala, February 21
Salma Sultan, Doordarshan hostess of yesteryear, continues to charm as ever. Out of sight, but certainly not out of business, the elegant and talented television newsreader is on the verge of re-establishing her link with Doordarshan, which continues to be the channel of her choice, irrespective of the plethora of channels on air.
Salma Sultan talks about her role
as director of DD’s latest investigative series, “Jalta Sawaal”.
— Photo by Rajesh Sachar
‘Include small cities in fashion circuit’
Patiala, February 21
Throw in 15 top-notch models along with three well-known designers. Add to this glamour noted choreographer Harmeet Bajaj can lend to an event. And you are sure to witness a gala affair.
The grounds at the National Institute of Sports here were
aglitter with beauty and poise as well-known faces of the
advertising world rehearsed the catwalk.
Models pose for Heritage Fashion Show
|
 |
Pak “Junoon” heads for Patiala
Patiala, February 21
The final day of the ongoing Patiala Heritage festival will see a confluence of cultures, with famous Pakistani Pop-band ‘Junoon’ sharing the space with Gursewak Mann from India and Stereo Nation from London.
Phulkari artisans to form self-help groups
Patiala, February 21
Bhagwant Kaur of Churpur village, near here, has been embroidering phulkari motifs all her life, but has made no financial gains. Now, she and other women, who participated in a two-day workshop at Quila Mubarak as part of the Heritage Festival, have decided to form a self-help group to market their craft in coordination with non-government agencies.
Women artisans embroider ‘phulkari’ motifs at Quila Mubarak complex in Patiala on Friday.
— Photo by Rajesh Sachar
|
 |
Simple yet
meaningful, ‘Charan Das Chor’
delights viewers
Patiala, February 20
Amazingly simple yet explicitly
meaningful. That’s Habib Tanvir for you. The man who introduced the
irrepressible folk singer Teejan Bai to the world was here to present
his masterpiece ‘Charan Das Chor’ at the ongoing Heritage
Festival. Based on the Nacha theatre tradition of Chattisgarh region
in Madhya Pradesh, the play is unique in both form and content.
A scene from the play ‘Charan
Das Chor’ which was staged at the NIS Sports Complex in
Patiala on Thursday night. — Photo by Rajesh Sachar
|
 |
INTACH
geared up to restore heritage sites in Punjab
Patiala, February 19
Punjab Tourism is set to enter
the international arena with INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and
Cultural Heritage) deciding to involve State Chief Minister Capt
Amarinder Singh in generating funds for the restoration of Quila
Mubarak in Patiala besides focussing on the
Patiala-Kapurthala-Amritsar circuit during presentations in the United
Kingdom and the United States this year.
 Zila
follows in father’s footsteps
Patiala, February 19
When Ustaad Vilayat Khan named
his daughter after Amir Khusrao’s raag Zila Kaafi, little would he
have known how prophetic the name would turn out to be, for Zila Khan,
daughter of the internationally acclaimed master of the sitar, is
every bit as melodious as her namesake.
Zila Khan
Sikhism
discussed in context of Buddhism
Patiala, February 19
On the second day of the
international seminar on “Guru Granth Sahib: unique status and place
among scriptures”, Prof Sanghasen Singh presented his paper on
“Sikhism and Buddhism: different perspectives” here today.
Residences of royals
re-opened to public
‘Heritage Walk’ starts in Qila Androon
Patiala, February 18
The Qila Androon, the residential quarters of the erstwhile royalty of Patiala, opened to the general public today after decades with the inauguration of "Heritage Walk" of its painted chambers, courtyards and varying architecture.
The "walk" is the idea of Mr Debashish Nayak who has
pioneered other such walks in Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Jaipur, is
targeted at spreading awareness about the city amongst its people and
also "connecting" them to it.
Yamini — the prime classical ballerina
Patiala, February 18
Yamini Krishnamurty is special in more ways than one. Although predominantly identified with Bharatnatyam, she has invested a world of time and energy in lending new dimensions to kuchipudi and odissi.
Doyens celebrate classicism
Patiala, February 18
Last evening saw a celebration of classical tradition against the majestic backdrop of Quila Mubarak. As one heritage played host to another, the evening moved from one level of joy to another, winding up on a blissful note, that emerged from the repertory of Girija Devi.
Ancient crafts lend dignity to mela
Patiala, February 18
Ancient craft forms are perhaps one part of our cultural legacy which remains partially buried beneath the sand of time and only concerted effort by organisations dedicated to the cause of the artisans of India can offer a ray of hope for our ‘languishing’ art and craft forms. Platforms similar to the ongoing Heritage Crafts Mela being held in the city are perhaps the few oasis left for them.
Kapil to lead Indian Punjab CM's friendly
team
Patiala, February 17
Besides a profusion of who's who in the world of the performing arts gracing the city with their performances, the Heritage Festival will provide a variety of entertainment in other fields. These include rural sports, a polo tournament and a friendly cricket match between teams from the two Punjabs on either side of the border.
Painters give final touches to sign boards for the cricket match to be organised as part of the Patiala Heritage Festival.
— Photo by Rajesh Sachar
Sitar-sarod jugalbandi moves all
hearts
Patiala, February 17
Everytime that Ustaad Imrat Khan pulls at the strings of his sitar, they seem to tug at his heart anew. How else can he manage to mirror the very soul of the music he plays through mere fingers? The Qila Mubarak reverberated with an explosion of melody last evening after the maestro commenced a jugalbandi with his equally gifted son Wajahat Khan whose virtuosity on the sarod has to be heard to be believed.
Future of folk music uncertain, warns Girija
Devi
Patiala, February 17
Her music blends all elements that the Indian classical tradition can ever boast of. Transcending the limits of time and space, it pulsates with ever fresh life. And though it has roots in tradition, it continues to sound vital, as it did years ago when a 20-year-old Girija Devi made her debut on Radio Allahabad.
Flip Side of Heritage Festival
A year on, vacated Rajindra Kothi unused
Patiala, February 17
A year ago, the main halls of Rajindra Kothi, which housed thousands of files and around 35,000 books comprising most of the records of the State Archives Department, was vacated in a blitzkrieg-like operation on the eve of the Heritage Festival. The reason was to facilitate the holding of a week-long painting exhibition in the building following which the building was to be sold as a heritage property.
A view of the Rajindra Kothi in the Baradari Gardens.
Sitar
maestro bemoans commercialisation of art
Patiala, February 16
The man responsible for putting
the lesser-known surbaphar on the world’s music map besides giving
the ‘Imrat guitar’ is all but disillusioned with the present
artistic scenario in the country. Son of the legendary Imdad Khan,
Ustaad Imrat Khan accompanied by son Wajahat Khan is in the city today
to perform on the third day of the Patiala Heritage Festival.
Inspired,
Chaurasia plays on
Patiala, February 16
Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia was
loath to put aside his flute last evening. Performing on the second
day of the Patiala Heritage Festival here, Panditji delighted his
listeners by declaring himself carried away by the ambience of the
Qila Mubarak at the scheduled end of his performance and went on to
present yet another melodious offering from his rich repertoire.
Patiala
gharana Khan legends in city
Patiala, February 16
The sur mandal which was invented
by the legend of the Patiala gharana — Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
— and his grandsons Mazhar and Jawaad Ali Khan are making a comeback
in the city which once occupied a pride of place in the music
tradition of the country.
Paintings
display quest for modernisation
Patiala,
February 16
The National Gallery of
Modern Art is exhibiting a collection of paintings
reflecting the quest for modernisation in the 19th century
and the use of abstract language in the 20th at the Patiala
Heritage festival at Banaser Art Gallery here. The
exhibition was inaugurated today by INTACH Vice-Chairman
S.K. Misra.
 CM
inaugurates Heritage
Crafts Mela
Patiala, February
15
The Chief Minister, Capt
Amarinder Singh, inaugurated the Heritage Craft Mela being held
from February 15 to 29 at Sheesh Mahal here today. The mela
showcases the rare acumen and craftsmanship of nearly 150
artisans who are participating in this festival.
The Punjab Chief
Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, inaugurates the Heritage Craft
Mela in Patiala on Sunday.
Three
diverse gharanas combine and dazzle audience
Patiala, February 15
It is rare to come across artiste
from three gharanas who after having evolved their own styles are able
to fuse together their expertise. The confluence of the Patiala, Jaipur
and Banaras gharanas here last night was able to conjure such an effect.
Flip
side of Heritage Festival
Encroachments
dot Qila Mubarak entrance
Patiala, February 15
The Qila Mubarak, the fort palace
of the erstwhile kings of Patiala, may be the main showcase of the
Patiala Heritage Festival with all classical programmes being held
there, but encroachments right in front of its main gate seem to have
bothered none.
 Govt
patronage will decide future of performing arts: Chaurasia
Patiala, February 15
Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia looks
bemused when you ask him about the future of flute in India in the
present scenario wherein more and more classical artistes prefer to
establish academies in the West than in the country. His reply is “can
there be any doubt about the flute? Can you question the status of the
sun or the moon?”
114
take part in Heritage Golf
Chandigarh, February 15
One hundred and fourteen golfers
took part in the tournament organised at the Chandigarh Golf Club on
Saturday to herald the start of the second Patiala Heritage Festival.
 Images
of royal era at
heritage fest
Patiala, February 14
Soldiers dressed in the traditional
Patiala military colours lighted ramparts of the Quila Mubarak, the fort
palace of the erstwhile Patiala rulers, and with the Governor
maintaining that the previous government had failed in its duty to
preserve the heritage and culture of the erstwhile state heralded the
start of the Patiala Heritage Festival here today evening.
Punjab
Governor Justice O.P. Verma lights the inaugural lamp at the Patiala
Heritage Festival in the Quila Mubarak on Saturday. — Photo by Rajesh
Sachar
Peg,
pagri intact but gates forgotten
 PATIALA:
The Patiala peg and pagri is often
remembered, but the historic gates of Patiala, which provided safety and
succour for more than a generation, seem to have been forgotten with the
gates missing out the largesse which has been bestowed on a number of
monuments and landmarks of the city in preparation of the Heritage
Festival starting from February 14 to 22.
One side of the Sunami gate waiting for restoration.
Patiala
gears up for Indo-Pak cricket tie
ON the eve of the Patiala
Heritage Festival, the proposed goodwill cricket match between India and
Pakistan seems more of a reality than it did until yesterday. With
permissions coming from both sides of the border, the official Indian
cricket team, to be captained by Kapil Dev, was formally announced
today.
Riot
of colours at Sheesh Mahal
Patiala, February 13
Infectious. This word amply sums up the festive atmosphere
at the Sheesh Mahal complex nowadays. The site which is all set to host the
Heritage Crafts Mela commencing from February 15 is all aglow with a riot of
colours complete with ethnic banners, jute lightings and rustic motifs.
|
