Partha Roy, Kolkata: As Bharat is preparing for one of the most popular traditional celebration – Holi – the festival of colours, “Phaag Mahotsav” was celebrated through “Raaga”- Indian Classical Music by Ministry of Culture, ICCR Kolkata in collaboration with Pandit Siyaram Tiwari Memorial Sangeet Trust of Patna, Bihar on 3rd March 2024.

The festival began with a Rudra Veena recital by Carsten Wicke from Germany, and concluded with a Sarod recital by Aniket Chakravarty from Kolkata. Phaag Mahotsav featured Dhrupad vocalists Sumeet Anand Pandey and Nirmalya Dey (both from New Delhi) and Khayal vocalists Rosy Dutta and Malyaban Chatterjee (both from Kolkata). Lead artists were supported by accompanying artists Tapash Das, Risbabh Dhar and Mithun Chakraborty (all Pakhawaj), Prabir Mitra, Sandip Banerjee (both Tabla), Kamalaksha Mukherjee (Harmonium). Program was hosted by Indrani Dey.

The music festival was titled “Phaag Mahotsav” to celebrate month of Phagun welcoming festival of colour, Holi. On full moon day in the month of Phagun of traditional Indian calender systems Holi is celebrated across India. All the artists tried to bring out the spirit of myriad colours through their raag sangeet. Phagun is month of celebration of romantic love across India with seasonal change. Celebration of traditional Hindu season of love begins from Basant Panchumi and continues till Holi. Vocalists sang songs depicting Braj ki Holi, a romantic and poetic play of love and colours between Shri Krishna Radharani and Gopis of Braj.

The festival was attended by Deputy Consul General of Russia in Kolkata Mr. Maxim Aleshin and his wife, Ms. Minakshi Misra, Head and Zonal Director of ICCR Kolkata, Ms. Astrid Wege Director Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan in Kolkata, other diplomats, and music connoisseurs.