North East News Agency

BHAKTI Utsav 2006 has amply demonstrated that the urge for exploring new bonds of understanding was so strong that several hundred people sat  patiently till midnight or well well past the hour every night in the open to hear artistes from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and India and feel the mysticism created by devotional music.

The highly popular annual event commenced on April 7. Scintillating performances by three different troupes from Pakistan was the highlight of the utsav. Apart from a large number of artistes from different parts of India, the three-day extravaganza attended by several thousand people also saw some of the best exponents of devotional music from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Organised by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Delhi Tourism, in collaboration with cultural organisation Seher, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), the event was attended by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

The surprise item of the festival was the grand finale. A very moving and interactive rendition of some soul-searching qawwalis and Sufi music by Mohammed Zaman and Mohammed Zaki Taji with their troupe from Karachi. Similar magic was created by Asif Ali Khan Manzoor Santoo Qawwal from Pakistan who render Sufiana Qawwalis that led to several encores

The first day had seen a very soulful rendition of devotional music by Sri Lanka’s Soul Sounds featuring young voices in unison. Soul Sounds was formed by members of a choir who won laurels at the International Eistedfodd Festival in Llangollen,Wales.

The second day featured chanting by Mokokchung Chancel Choir of Nagaland who sang  original songs composed by Naga writers based on Naga folk motifs creatively showcasing a modern touch yet maintaining the traditional sounds of the rich Naga musical heritage. The choir specializes in  19th century Asian music compositions, Naga folk arrangements, Broadways and western classical.

Buddhist Chanting by Lama Tashi - Principal of Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies, Dahung, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh - and group from Arunachal Pradesh, had people swaying to the mystic sounds. Geshe Ngawang Tashi Bapu, well known as Lama Tashi, presently serving as the Principal of Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies Drepung Loseling Monastery in South India-one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries in the world with over 3,000 monks.

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