Date:08/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/08/stories/2007110855640600.htm

Tamil Nadu

The Hindu Friday Review November Fest

Staff Reporter

It will go on till November 18

It will begin with a raga recital by father-son duo from Pakistan, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Rustam Fateh Ali Khan

CHENNAI: The Hindu Friday Review November Fest 2007 is a multifaceted, multi-dimensional series of concerts featuring an eclectic collection of musicians, said V. Kalidas, vice-president (advertising), The Hindu.

Addressing a press conference to launch the festival at Hotel Taj Connemara, he said,

“The November Fest serves as the ideal aperitif to the musical feast of the Marghazi season in Chennai.”

The Fest, to be held at The Music Academy from November 10 to 18, kicks off with a raga recital by the father-son duo from Pakistan, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Rustam Fateh Ali Khan, who will be performing in India for the first time.

That will be followed by a contemporary classical performance by vocalist Sikkil Gurcharan and Western pianist/composer Anil Srinivasan on November 11, and a traditional Hindustani classical concert by Rajan and Sajan Mishra on November 12.

Mandolin Shrinivas and ghazal maestro Hariharan come together for a unique ghazal bandi on November 15, and Mrigya, the Delhi-based band that blends Hindustani classical, folk, funk pop, jazz and rock with Latin beats will perform for the first time in Chennai on November 16.

Also in Chennai for their maiden performance is the crossover band from Korea, The Lim on November 17. The Fest ends with a bang on November 18 with the fusion of Germany-based percussionist Trilok Gurtu, U.S.-based guitarist Prasanna, Ghatam exponent Vikku Vinayakram and Selvaganesh on the Kanjira. Speaking at the conference, Victor Niranjan of AVT Premium said his company looked forward to completing a hat trick by returning as the beverage partner of the Fest for the third straight year.

“Music and art have many things in common with colour—they raise our spirits and bring us closer together,” said Ramakanth Akula of Nippon Paint, expressing his company’s pleasure at being an associate sponsor for the event.

“Several of our customers are patrons of music and art, and we couldn’t be happier about being associated with the November Fest again this year,” said K.V. Sanilkumar of Geojit Financial Services, associate sponsor for the festival.

Ratish Pandey of Bose, the presenting sponsor for the event, and Shivakumar of RmKV (associate sponsor) were unable to attend the conference, but conveyed their best wishes for the event.

Hotel Taj Connemara was announced as the hospitality partner and Jet Airways as the travel partner for the festival.