april 2011 programmes

friday 29 april
6.30 pm ‘An evening of Hindustani Classical and Semi-Classical Music ‘by Ranjani Ramachandran 

Khayal (literally idea) is the predominant form of the Hindustani Classical Music tradition today. It is a composition set to a Raga and Tala .While the composition in itself occupies an important position it is the scope for its elaboration, (Vistaar), which makes the Khayal form distinct. The performer has the freedom to explore different facets of the raga based on certain principles. 

This tradition is also rich in a wide array of forms including Tarana, (a lyrical composition of sound syllables.), Laya ( the pace or rhythm)  Ragamala, ( a garland of Ragas interwoven into a composition.)  Semi-classical Hindustani music has highly stylized forms such as the Thumri, connected with suggestive love poetry and said to have originated from folk songs of Uttar Pradesh; and Bhajan, devotional song-types composed by saint poets like Meera, Kabir, Tulsidas.  

Ranjani Ramachandran is a versatile and talented Hindustani classical vocalist of the younger generation. This evening she will be performing,  Khyal, Thumri and bhajan, bringing out the essential diversity within this tradition. 

 Ranjani is endowed with a rich vibrant voice. She is a disciple of Pt Kashinath Bodas, Smt. Veena Sahasrabuddhe and Pt Ulhas Kashalkar and has also received guidance from Vidushi Girija Devi, acquiring a rich repertoire of Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti and Kajri.  

She is a recipient of Central Government Scholarship for Hindustani Classical Music, Resident scholarship of the ITC-Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata, Surmani award from Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai and is an empanelled artiste with ICCR and a graded artiste of All India Radio. She is currently a UGC Senior Research fellow at the Centre for Performing Arts, University of Pune, while also teaching in the department.  She has performed at the Vishnu Digambar Jayanti Samaroha (New Delhi) , Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan, ITC Sangeet Sammelan,  “Sangeet Pratibha” of Sangeet Natak Academy, Nehru Centre(London), Learnquest Academy(Boston),  Dadar Matunga Cultural Centre, (Mumbai) and Kalakshetra Annual Art Festival.
www.ranjani.net 

Accompanying Artistes

Shri Vinod Lele (Tabla); Shri Vinay Mishra (Harmonium)

saturday 30^th april
12.30 to 2 pm
“Spanish Omelette” a talk and demonstration by Guillermo Hidalgo 

Guillermo talks about "childhood summer weekends" in Spain with his family and how the tastes in the following dishes brings us back again to our childhood; the colours, the smells, our grandparents, the extended family... are all reminiscent of a typical "weekend summer lunch" that take place in our memories and in our hearts. 

The tortilla de patatas, (Spanish omelette) is a typical Spanish dish consisting of an egg omelette with onions and fried potatoes.
It is one of the most common dish throughout Spain and a favourite at Spanish picnics, as it can be enjoyed cold, or at room temperature.

Pa amb Tomàquet (Catalan), Pan con Tomate (Spanish), Bread with Tomato is a very common and popular dish in Catalonia. It can be a tapa, or in many restaurants which specialize in traditional food it is served instead of plain bread. If one orders a sandwich in Catalonia, by default it is made with pa amb tomàquet.

Gazpacho is a cold Spanish tomato-based raw vegetable soup, originating in the southern region of Andalusia. It is mostly consumed during the summer months, due to its cold temperature and acidic bite.

Menu:

- Spanish omelette
- Bread & Tomato
- Gazpacho - Cold tomato soup

Guillermo Hidalgo is the visiting Executive chef of the Spanish NGO Naya Nagar in Gurgaon. He studied Hotel Managament in Barcelona and went to New York to work in the hospitality field for one year. After that he worked in various Hotels, Restaurants and Food Franchises in Barcelona, Madrid and in Buenos Aires (Argentina).

He came to India for a 3 month trip and fell in love with the country and its people. He went back to Barcelona and “I was dreaming to come back again”. He returned to collaborate with the NGO Naya Nagar in Gurgaon for teaching western cooking to poor women, so they could get jobs in expats houses. Currently they are opening a Catering delivery service in order to provide jobs for these women.

He also collaborates with the Olive Restaurant in Delhi through the Spanish Government to present Spanish food items in India.

All items demonstrated will be served for tasting.

Registration Required: Rs 150 per head Call 23746050 or email mina@theatticdelhi.org