Indian classical music fans are in for a big treat this weekend as Dubai Summer Surprises 2010 hosts one of the celebrated names in Indian classical music - Pandit Shivkumar Sharma on the santoor.
Definitely one of his bigger performances in Dubai, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma will be playing the santoor – a stringed instrument, accompanied by Ram Kumar Mishra on the tabla on June 19 Saturday at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre – Ductac, Mall of Emirates from 7.30 pm onwards. Tickets are priced at 150 AED and 100 AED and are available at Ductac Box OFFICE – 04 3414777.
"Hosting a musician of the calibre of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma in Dubai during Dubai Summer Surprises 2010 is part of our endeavour to reach out to multi-cultural audiences and enhance the entertainment experience for various visitor segments. Musicals and concerts are a core element of DSS entertainment and Swaralaya is one of many events that visitors and residents will be able to enjoy this summer," said DEPE in a statement.
The maestro is credited for single-handedly making the santoor a popular classical instrument. He modified the instrument to make it more suitable for his classical technique and introduced the new chromatic arrangement of notes and increased the range to cover full three octaves. He also improvised a new technique of playing with which he could sustain notes and maintain sound continuity.
Pandit Sharma is the recipient of numerous national and international awards, including an honorary citizenship of the city of Baltimore, USA, in 1985, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986, the Padma Shri in 1991, the Padma Vibhushan in 2001, the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar, the Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Jammu.
