New Delhi: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma may never have performed together on stage, but their iconic instruments form a cultural orchestra in the new Parliament House.
An official of the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts (IGNCA) said, “India has a rich musical heritage that spans classical, folk and contemporary genres. A music gallery within the Parliament House is the platform that can showcase this diverse musical wealth.” It shows.” Perhaps the most appropriate symbols of India’s culture, the instruments are part of a specially designed gallery, which will also showcase the journey of Indian classical music through paintings, sculptures and dance forms.
Ten musical instruments that the maestro himself played are among the 14 instruments displayed in the music gallery. Officials said that architecturally, the inclusion of the gallery increased the aesthetic appeal of the new building and increased its cultural significance. People will be able to visit the gallery in the new Parliament House from September 18, when a special session will begin there.
According to IGNCA officials, the 21.5-metre music gallery has 10 panels related to dance and music, including murals, sculptures, paintings of musicians and original Indian classical instruments and hand postures donated by 10 famous musicians, a bronze . Nataraja idol and small dolls depicting folk and tribal dance forms from Tamil Nadu.
The instruments have been donated to the music gallery by the families of the maestros. “Each of these instruments has been used by stalwarts of Indian music during their lifetime,” claimed Professor Sachchidanand Joshi, member secretary of IGNCA. He said it was on the initiative of the Prime Minister that the gallery was conceptualized and implemented by the Union Ministry of Culture.
Directional speakers are installed in some of the panels of the gallery to allow viewers to hear the sound of a particular instrument. “Visitors can touch the devices digitally through the kiosk and use headphones to listen to clear sound,” an official said.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, who has been honored with several awards including the country’s second highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri for his contribution to music, told TOI, “I have about 15 sarods which I use. Different occasions. I have named each one a river. I gifted one of my favourites, Narmada, to be displayed in the Parliament House. This archival museum is for the preservation of our heritage and for the youth. The generation should know that Khan Saheb played this sarod.”
Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, renowned classical flautist and Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan awardee, told TOI, “It is a huge honor for an artiste that his musical instrument is being displayed in Parliament. It is bigger than civilian awards. .I am happy and fortunate that people will remember me through my instrument and will talk about me and our musical culture after seeing it.”
Vidwan AS Krishnan was equally proud to be a part of the display of Indian culture in the music gallery. He donated his own equipment to the project.
The public entrance of the Parliament leads to three galleries – the Music Gallery which highlights the dance, song and music traditions of India, the Architectural Gallery showcasing the architectural heritage of the country and the Crafts Gallery showcasing the distinctive handicrafts of different states.
