Urusvati Centre of Performing Arts located in Shikhopur, Sector 78, Gurugram added another golden feather to its cap as it hosted a soulful musical concert at its premises on September 22’ 2024.
The artists who made the evening truly unforgettable with their captivating performance were Vocalist Atul Devesh (Delhi-Jaipur Gharana), Dr Atul Shankar (Flute), Sukant Krishna (Tabla) & Divyansh Harshit Srivastava (Santoor). Hailing from the prestigious Banaras Gharana, Dr Atul Shankar received his training in flute from his grandfather (Nana Guru) Late Pt. Bola Nath Prasanna, a renowned flutist of the Banaras Gharana. He also undertook training from his Dada Guru Late Pt. Ram Khelavan Ji as well as from Dada Guru Pt. Shyamal Ji (Famous Shehnai player from Banaras Gharana). Dr Atul Shankar completed his Ph.D in Music in 2015 under the guidance of his Guru Dr. Prahlad, a noted flute player. A matter of pride that Dr Atul Shankar has performed in numerous places across the length and breadth of the country, as well as in countries namely Germany (Jazz festival), London (Albert Hall), Dubai, Singapore, USA, Switzerland, Italy, France, Romania, Austria, Japan, Brussels, Jordan, South America to name a few. He was part of the ICCR organised tour to Russia, Moscow, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan. Dr Atul Shankar has been honoured with many awards in his illustrious career.
Over the years, Urusvati Centre of Performing Arts has become synonymous with art, culture, dance and music, and is a perfect retreat for art & music lovers. It was an evening to cherish on Sunday for art aficionados as they went around appreciating the artworks of the acclaimed and budding artists in the Urusvati Art Gallery prior to the commencement of the musical concert. Displaying the works of some of the country’s top ranked artists, Urusvati hosts art and paintings exhibitions on a regular basis at its premises. Musical concerts, Folk dances and Sufi Vocal performance programs have been a regular feature at Urusvati. Artists like Ragini Rainu, Santoor maestro Abhay Rustum Sopori etc. have all performed here. The visitors were awestruck when they visited the adjoining Urusvati Museum that displays the Folklore of North India through dioramas and paintings by eminent artists. Arts and crafts of various states have been showcased through interesting story forms.
In the last three decades of its existence, Urusvati has hosted countless art exhibitions and camps that have been graced by numerous distinguished artists and sculpturists from all nooks and corners of the country. It has earned the reputation of being one of the most ideal destinations for hosting art and cultural events.
Sharing her experience at Urusvati, Priyanka Aga, CEO of a top jewellery brand of the country said, “Urusvati Centre of Performing Arts is a paradise for art and music lovers. It is a perfect destination for artists to draw inspiration for creating masterpieces both in art and sculpture. With its sprawling Jasmine Gardens, and the majestic Aravallis in the backdrop, Urusvati makes a spectacular sight to behold. The musical concert by artists namely Vocalist Atul Devesh, Dr Atul Shankar (Flute), Sukant Krishna (Tabla) & Divyansh Harshit Srivastava (Santoor) made the evening unforgettable. If the best way to reach a man’s heart is through his stomach, then undoubtedly, the best way to reach a man’s soul is through music and art.”
Founder & Director of Urusvati Centre of Performing Arts, Komal Anand (Retd. IAS) has had a long enduring interest in the rich Indian culture and legacy, and has previously served as the Director General of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
Speaking on the occasion, Komal Anand shared, “Urusvati Art Centre and the Museum which came into existence in 2003, is run by the Urusvati Trust that was registered in 1995. The aims and objectives include encouraging the understanding of Art and Culture among the public, especially children through its activities. ‘Urusvati’ meaning the ‘Light of the Morning Star’ draws inspiration from the Himalayan Institute called “Urusvati”, established by the famous Russian painter, the late Nicholas Roerich who came to India in 1923, and subsequently spent the rest of his life at Naggar, in District Kullu in Himachal Pradesh. The Art Centre and the Museum is located in a Campus of six acres, and the Urusvati Centre of Performing Arts has facilities for demonstrating and teaching school children the different traditional Indian crafts such as Tie and Dye, Pottery, Painting, Clay Modelling etc. The Art Centre and the Museum is an educative experience for young and senior students as it helps them provide an opportunity that is “hands on”, under the supervision of Masters in various Art forms. The Urusvati Centre for Contemporary Art has taken myriad steps towards creating a sense of awareness for art. The objective of the Urusvati Museum of Folklore sponsored by the Urusvati Centre is to preserve document and increase public access to the tangible and intangible culture of the country. The Museum has extensively covered seven Northern and Central States – Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Urusvati Centre for Contemporary Art has organized a number of activities involving Artists, Sculptors and Folk Art painters.”
