College fest is music to classical lovers' ears

Attracting thousands from various cities for the last 40 years, Jan Fest, St Xaviers College’s Indian Music Group’s annual classical music extravaganza, promises music lovers a treat this year.

Taking place on January 25 and 26, the festival will showcase a historic performance by Kathak legend Birju Maharaj, flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and vocalist Kaushiki Chakrabarty. Sitarist Ustad Shujaat Khan, vocalist Prasad Khaparde and composer/flautist Rakesh Chaurasia will also perform.

The first day of the event will feature a fusion by ‘Rakesh and Friends’ with Rakesh Chaurasia playing the flute and Vinayak Pol on the drums, Satyajeet Talkwalkar on the tabla, Sheldon D’Silva on bass, Sangeet Haldipur on keyboards and Sanjoy Das on the guitar.

Hariprasad Chaurasia said, “Music is a way to serve society, I am looking forward to performing at Jan Fest and continuing an association with the college.”

Attempting to build rapport with the youth, YES Bank has partnered with Jan Fest for the first time, Rana Kapoor, managing director & CEO, Yes Bank, said, “It is truly heartening to see maestros come together and perform under the same roof at an event organised by a group of young, diverse and highly motivated college students.”

“A classical music event doesn’t appeal to the youth quickly, in order to enrich the experience, we thought of having this fusion with Rakesh and Friends. With Birju Maharaj, Hariprasad Chaurasia and Kaushiki Chakrabarty also on board, a blend of dance and flute with vocals will be seen.” said Akshay Shetty, a media executive at YES BANK-IMG Jan Fest’14.