“IN THE DARBAR”

An Intimate Evening of North Indian music and dance  

Presented by Small World Music Society and Pratibha Arts

Canada ’s “New-Generation” Indian Music and Dance Talents 

in Toronto on May 4, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. at the Studio Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, this is the first concert in Small World Music’s May South Asian Music Series.

The centuries-old arts of North Indian classical music and dance will come alive in a unique setting reminiscent of India’s 16^th century royal courts in Toronto on May 4, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. at the Studio Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, the first concert in Small World Music’s May South Asian Music Series.

 Toronto-raised talent Steve Oda, who will be performing in his hometown after several years, joins local tabla virtuoso Vineet Vyas and Kathak dancer Bageshree Vaze in a show entitled “In the Darbar.”

 “Indian classical music and dance were originally performed in small intimate settings, not large concert halls,” says MTV India ‘rising star’ Vaze. “The Studio Theatre lends itself well to creating that historical ambience.”

 The performance will attempt to recreate the atmosphere reminiscent of India's royal darbar (court) era, as it may have been in the time of kings such as Akbar. 'In the Darbar' is also the name of a song from Vyas' Cd 'Taalworks', and Oda, who also appears on that album, will accompany Vyas in performing some repertoire from ‘Taalworks,’ as well as perform his own traditional sarod recital. The second half of the performance will feature Kathak by Vaze, who is also a singer, including a selection from her latest Cd 'Tarana' which will be dedicated to the late Onkar Singh, a local music lover and friend. Oda and Vyas will accompany the dance segment, along with local bansuri (flute) exponent Ron Allen.

 The sarod is the 25-stringed instrument popularized by Oda’s teacher Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and the tabla are the drums from North India, which one often hears today in mainstream TV soundtracks. Kathak is the highly-improvized form of dance, known for its footwork and fast pirouettes. The three second-generation artists are disciples of some of India’s legendary music and dance masters, such as Khan, Pandit Kishan Maharaj, and Pt. Birju Maharaj. This event comes on the heels of the release of Vaze’s ‘Tarana’ Cd, which is set for release in India in 2008 by Times Music.

 The concert will feature sarod and tabla by Oda and Vyas in the first half, and Kathak dance in the second half. “IN THE DARBAR” takes place Sunday, May 4^th, at 5:30pm at the Studio Theatre, York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. Admission is $15 advance/students/seniors, and $20 at the door. For tickets contact the Harbourfront Centre Box Office at (416) 973-4000 and for performance schedules and on-line CD sales visit www.bageshree.com, www.vineetvyas.com and www.smallworldmusic.com