Thursday, April 26, 2007

'Minstrels of Desert' To Perform in Bahrain

Gulf Daily News - Manama, Bahrain
Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Six masters of a centuries-old traditional music will bring their art to Bahrain next week when they perform at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art, in Manama.

Celebrating its Colours of India exhibition, the centre is presenting Manganiyar and Langa musicians from the Indian desert state of Rajasthan on May 3 from 8pm.

These "minstrels of the desert" have perfected their craft over several years and started out as apprentices before finally being officially recognised as masters.

The six musicians to perform are Chanan Khan Manganiar (on kamaica), Bhugra Khan (on dholak), Mehruddin Khan (on sarangi, algoza, morchang and vocals), Gazi Khan (on kartais and vocals), Barkat Khan (vocals) and Sakur Khan (sufi vocals and harmonium).

Langa musicians' vocal repertoire includes songs of the life cycle and the seasons, songs in praise of their patrons who in past times supported them in exchange for their performances, devotional songs composed by 19th Century Sufi poets and film songs.

Themes such as love and heroism predominate, as do water and cattle - the source of life in the desert. Langas are known for their improvisations and their instrumental and vocal ornamentation.

Manganiyar performers, like Langas, are sedentary Muslims whose home extends over the border into Pakistan, but their patrons are mostly from higher castes, poets, bards and historians.

Their appearance at La Fontaine's stunning moon courtyard is being staged in collaboration with Theatre de la Ville, in Paris. It coincides with the opening of the Colours of India exhibition next Wednesday at the same venue from 7pm. The exhibition features antique textiles and other objet d'art and will continue until June 2, opening from 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm daily except Fridays.

Antiques offer a glimpse into Moghul India and beyond.

Tickets for the music concert cost BD15 or BD25 including a buffet dinner. For reservations, e-mail lfccart@batelco.com.bh or phone the centre on 17230123.

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Thursday, April 26, 2007

'Minstrels of Desert' To Perform in Bahrain
Gulf Daily News - Manama, Bahrain
Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Six masters of a centuries-old traditional music will bring their art to Bahrain next week when they perform at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art, in Manama.

Celebrating its Colours of India exhibition, the centre is presenting Manganiyar and Langa musicians from the Indian desert state of Rajasthan on May 3 from 8pm.

These "minstrels of the desert" have perfected their craft over several years and started out as apprentices before finally being officially recognised as masters.

The six musicians to perform are Chanan Khan Manganiar (on kamaica), Bhugra Khan (on dholak), Mehruddin Khan (on sarangi, algoza, morchang and vocals), Gazi Khan (on kartais and vocals), Barkat Khan (vocals) and Sakur Khan (sufi vocals and harmonium).

Langa musicians' vocal repertoire includes songs of the life cycle and the seasons, songs in praise of their patrons who in past times supported them in exchange for their performances, devotional songs composed by 19th Century Sufi poets and film songs.

Themes such as love and heroism predominate, as do water and cattle - the source of life in the desert. Langas are known for their improvisations and their instrumental and vocal ornamentation.

Manganiyar performers, like Langas, are sedentary Muslims whose home extends over the border into Pakistan, but their patrons are mostly from higher castes, poets, bards and historians.

Their appearance at La Fontaine's stunning moon courtyard is being staged in collaboration with Theatre de la Ville, in Paris. It coincides with the opening of the Colours of India exhibition next Wednesday at the same venue from 7pm. The exhibition features antique textiles and other objet d'art and will continue until June 2, opening from 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm daily except Fridays.

Antiques offer a glimpse into Moghul India and beyond.

Tickets for the music concert cost BD15 or BD25 including a buffet dinner. For reservations, e-mail lfccart@batelco.com.bh or phone the centre on 17230123.

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