Sabras Music and Dance Festival 2019

Sabras music and dance festival is an annual event celebrating the grandeur of Indian classical music and dance. It showcases various colours of our musical heritage via live performances by artists of world fame. At the same time, it gives the opportunity to the upcoming deserving talent to stage their talent among them.

Launched in 2015, the festival has gained repute in the world of Indian classical music, and has seen the presence of many dignitaries. It has been telecasted by the TV channels like Dilli Aaj Tak, Rajya Sabha TV, and Doordarshan.

Sabras is actually the title given to Ustad Bande Ali Khan, the first luminary of Kirana Gharana that has given many gems to the music world such as Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Padmashri Mohd. Rafi, Padmashri Ustad Shakoor Khan, Begham Akhtar, Roshan Aara Begham, SNA Award recipient Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan, Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan, Salma Agha, Roop Kumar Rathod, and many more

Mehtab Ali  Niazi

Mehtab Ali  Niazi is a promising young Sitar exponent from the famous Bhendi Bazar Moradabad Gharana. He started taalim from his father Ustad Mohsin Ali Khan  from a very tender age. He gave his first performance at the age of 6 on Pandit Birju Maharaj’s birthday which left the audience spellbound. Mehtab has emerged as one of the finest sitar players because of his profound and unique approach. He has received widespread recognition for his versatility and soulful music which has encapsulated the hearts of millions. Mehtab strives to spread the magic of Indian classical music across the globe. Sabras warmly welcomes Mehtab Ali Niazi to commence the show for 2019!

Ustad Rafiuddin Sabri

Rafiuddin sahab had his initial training of Tabla from Late Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan and later continued under his uncle Late Ustad Nazir Ahmed Khan. He is a “top grade” AIR artist and has accompanied the whos who of Indian classical music like Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Pt Jasraj. His interest in and exposure to world music make him a unique artist who would appeal to both traditional and contemporary audiences. Presence of an artist with decades of proven excellence in the field of Tabla reiterates the value of the platform that is Sabras-2019.

Pt. Naresh Malhotra

Steeped in the glorious traditions of the Indore Gharana Gayaki of the legendary Ustad Amir Khan, known for its contemplative, soul stirring & blissful music, Naresh Malhotra comes off as one of its

highly talented Third Generation exponent. Meticulously groomed for over two decades in the true Guru-Sishya Parampara by Pt.Tejpal Singh, senior of the renowned Singh Bandhu, who is the foremost living disciples of the great maestro, he has acquired firm grip on the subtleties and nuances of the

Indore gayaki. Although Khayal and Tarana are his forte, he also renders devotional music particularly bhajans with interns feeling and fervour.

Ronkini Gupta

Ronkini Gupta is an accomplished classical vocalist and a playback singer. She completed Sangeet Vishard in Hindustani Classical music from Gandharv Mahavidyalaya. Later on, she pursued her training under the guidance of Ustad Dilshad Khan and Late Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan . She has won many accolades like Doverlane National Merit, Artist Aloud Award and SaReGaMaPa world series. She was nominated for Filmfare Award for best female playback singer for "Rafu" in Tumhari Sulu. At the same time, she has displayed her excellence in Hindustani classical vocal on prestigious stages like Hcl Concerts. She is widely acclaimed for her unique style and skillfull blending classical with contemporary music. Sabras warmly welcomes Ronkini Gupta for opening performance on November 16th, 2019.

Ashish Ragwani

Tribute to the late Ustad Niazu Khansahab would be incomplete without a performance of the disciple from his lineage. Very talented Ashish Ragwani hails from Jodhpur Rajasthan, where he started his training under Pandit Mahendra Parihaarji . For last 10 years, he is under the tootalage of Shri Mridangraj, who has given him the nuances of tabla of Ajrada Gharana that were bestowed upon MridangRaj ji from his great Ustad Niazu Khansahab. In fact, rhythm was instilled in Ashish right from his ancestry. His grand mother was a Bhavai Dancer and his mother is presently a professional teacher in Jodhpur College for kathak dances.

Ashish will be entertaining audiences with systematic demonstration of rhythms of Indian classical music. Graceful and energetic at the same time, Ashish is well on his way to make his mark in the world of Tabla performances and Indian classical music. Sabras-2019 warmly welcomes Ashish Rangwani to grace its stage.

Vidha Lal

Back at Sabras-2019 for an encore, Smt Vidha Lal is a disciple of renowned Guru and Sangeet Natak Academy awardee Smt.Geetanjali Lal of Jaipur Gharana. Vidha ji is multi-faceted kathak exponent whose name has been recorded in Guineas Book of World Record for maximum number of spins in one minute. She has numerous memorable solo performances to her credit both within and outside India. She is the recipient of Bismillah Khan Yuva Kalakar Puraskar, Nrityajayantika Award, Kalpana Chawla Excellence Award, and many more. One of the highlights of Sabras-2019, Vidha ji is sure to captivate the audience with her expressive storytelling through Kathak dance form.