Mahindra group is known for their interest in art and culture and their various acclaimed festivals like the Mahindra Theatre Festival and the Lit-Fest (literature festival) et al, as part of their CSR. Held against the serene backdrop of River Ganga in Varanasi recently, the first edition of Mahindra Kabira Festival was their latest venture. Thoughtfully conceived and efficiently executed by Sanjoy Roy and his Team Work, the three day festival brought together diverse musical traditions, including classical, traditional and contemporary forms, to discussions, talks and visual arts, reflecting the diversity and richness of India’s cultural heritage. The Darbhanga and Assi Ghats of River Ganga at Varanasi reverberated with the poetry of  Kabir from morning till night, where each morning opened with the poetry of Kabir set to morning Ragas till late in the evening concerts.

 The dawn of the inaugural day saw the serene ambiance of sunrise at Darbhanga Ghat with the melodious Flute recital by Atul Shankar. Shabnam Birmani and Vipul Rikhi took over thereafter and sang Nirgun Bhajans of Kabir and the parallel themes by Bulle Shah, Sheikh Farid and others that echoed Kabir’s philosophy. Shabnam kept explaining the meaning of each composition underlining the deep resonance of Kabir’s philosophy. The other artistes of the morning ragas were Debashish Dey and Azeem Ahmed Alvi.  There was an enriching forenoon for the literature enthusiasts with author Amish Tripathi, who brought alive the myths associated with the city of Varanasi, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, established around the 11th century BC. After the music and literary sessions, it was time to view the city’s bylanes through a guided heritage walk that took one through temple courtyards and the myriad ghats that reflect the city’s daily life.

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 The evenings began with Ganga Aarti and the soul stirring performances by musicians like Pt Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Pt Ajay Chakraborty, Vidya Shah, Mukhtiar Ali and the “Kabir-Bani” by  Prahlad Tipanya, who enthralled the audience with his trademark singing while simultaneously discussing the philosophy of the 15th century mystic poet in the Malwi folk style rooted in Madhya Pradesh.

 To represent the contemporary music, there was the Kabir Cafe Band led by Neraj Arya, who aims to make Kabir's verses accessible to all. This five-member contemporary band, presented their interpretation of Kabir through music filled with pop, reggae, rock, folk fusion and Carnatic flavours establishing an instant rapport with the audience, making them dance.  The Mahindra Kabira Festival not only witnessed a fabulous feast of performances by Kabir stalwarts on the ancient Ghats of Varanasi and in its stately palaces adding to the prevailing spiritual ambience of Varanasi in a significant way but also promised to return next year.

 “The purpose of the Mahindra Kabira Festival is to make the works of the mystic saint poet accessible to a new audience through unique interpretations encompassing music, poetry, art and culture, bringing alive the true flavour of Kabir in his birthplace that happens to be one of India’s holiest cities,” said Jay Shah, head of Cultural Outreach, Mahindra and Mahindra in his concluding remarks. Sanjoy Roy, MD Team-Work Arts added, “The continuous movement of humanity on the river is reflective of life itself.  Ma Ganga is truly magical as it veers north and passes along the banks of the Varanasi ~ a city that has seen life for over three millennia. What an honour to have been welcomed by its people in this incredible coming together of music, literature and heritage, celebrating life itself.”