Music

Wolverhampton based Surdhwani, the highly regarded Asian arts organisation, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2007.

Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee

To mark the anniversary, sitar virtuoso Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee will be dueting with his son Bijoyaditya on 29 September at the Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton. This performance, say Surdhwani, is arguably their organisation's star attraction of the year as Budhaditya is considered to be one of the great Bengali sitar players.

The Mukherjees will be accompanied by internationally renowned tabla player Rajkumar Misra.

The sitar duet on 29 September will be held at 7.00 pm at the Arena Theatre, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SE. Admission prices are £14/£12 with concessions and discounts for booking in advance. Box Office: 01902 321 321.

Bijoyaditya Mukherjee

60th anniversary of Indian Independence celebration, in partnership with the Gujarati Association

Surdhwani's celebration of the 60th anniversary of Indian Independence is on Sunday 7 October at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton. It will feature Sonia Sabri, the award winning kathak dancer, her company, and Swati Natekar, the fast rising UK singing star.

Swati will sing geets, ghazals, thumris and bhajans in Hindi, Punjabi and Marathi. She recently sang a duet with Sonu Nigam, the Bollywood superstar.

The show will also feature the students of the Surdhwani Music School and community groups from across the Black Country. The Gujarati Association of Mander Street, Wolverhampton has joined Surdhwani as a partner to present the show at the Civic Hall.

Swati Natekar

Surdhwani gratefully acknowledges the support of Wolverhampton City Council for this show.

It will be held at the Civic Hall, North Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1RQ starting at 6.00 pm and inaugurated by the Consul General of India.

Admission prices are £15/£10/£5 with 50% concessions for senior citizens, unwaged and children 16 and under. The prices are 20% more at the door. Box Office: 0870 320 7000. There are 20% discounts for Surdhwani members. Membership is open to all by subscription.

The Mayors and Mayoresses of the Black Country, local MPs, Consul General of India, Vice Chancellor of University of Wolverhampton, Anita Bhalla, Satnam Rana and many distinguished guests as well as civic dignitaries have been invited to attend both shows.

Sonia Sabri dancing at Bantock House

Surdhwani membership

Membership, booking information for all events and all other enquiries to: Mrs Maitreyee Sarcar, HF FRSA, Director/Company Secretary on 01902 658 793, email to Maitreyee@surdhwani.org.uk or write to her at Surdhwani, 3 Sherington Drive, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV4 5DX, UK.

For further information on Surdhwani’s activities, please visit: www.surdhwani.org.uk

Also:

Sitar masterclass

Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee will give a masterclass and lecture demonstration on Wednesday 26th September - 7.00 pm at the Newhampton Arts Centre, Dunkley Street, Wolverhampton WV1 4AN.

Contact Miss Shamaila Ahmed on 01902 771592 between 10.15 am and 4.45 pm for more information.

Surdhwani radio show - ‘Sur-Tarang’ [Wave of Melody]

Indian classical music radio show ‘Sur-tarang’ is produced and presented by Surdhwani's Mr Sistachar Sarcar HF FRSA, Chief Executive and Mrs Maitreyee Sarcar HF FRSA, Company Secretary/Director on Wolverhampton Community Radio [WCR].

It is broadcast on 101.8 FM every Wednesday between 7pm and 8pm and can be listened live online at www.wcrfm.com from anywhere in the world!