JEWELS OF INDIA SERIES : A MUSICAL EVENING WITH PADMASHRI SHANTI HIRANAND

As part of the Jewel of India series renowned singer Padmashri Shanti Hiranand enthralled audiences with her melodious voice as she sang at the Consulate General of India, New York on December 4, 2009. The event was cosponsored by The Indian Council for Cultural Relations and The Roger Smith Hotel, New York. About 120 guests attended the event.

Welcoming the guests Mr. Prabhu Dayal, Consul General of India, New York recalled Smt. Shanti Hiranand’s previous performances and stated that the Consulate was very privileged to have her here.

A disciple of the legendary Begum Akhtar, Shanti Hiranand first sang for All India Radio in 1947. Over the years her style of Ghazals, Thumri and Dadra has become synonymous with an unforgettable kind of magic that leaves the audience enthralled. She was the first female Indian artist to be sent by the Government of India to perform in Pakistan in 1981. She won over the hearts of Pakistanis with her music Smt. Hiranand has performed all over the world and her performances have been significant milestones in propagating the traditional style of Hindustani light classical music abroad.

Before starting her performance Smt. Hiranand also thanked the Consul General for giving her this opportunity to sing in front of a New York audience. She started the evening with a Thumri sung in the traditional style of Begum Akhtar. She followed it by a famous Dadra also by Begum Akhtar called “Jiya Mora Lehraye”. The evening continued with Ghazals and requests from the guests.  Shant Hiranand mesmerized the audience with her excellent rendering of traditional Hindustani music. She was given a standing ovation by a very appreciative audience. She was accompanied during this concert by Shri Vinay Kumar Mishra on the Harmonium, Shri Manoj Nagar on the Tabla, Shri Pralash Kumar Thakur on the Tanpura and Shri Ghanshyam Sisodia on the Sarangi.

The evening concluded with a reception.

December 4, 2009
New York