Indian Arrival Day – May 5 will be the grand launch of a Guyana national Indian Orchestra. This is another brainchild of legendary musician and international recording artist – Bhaskar Sharma. He revealed the initiative during his present trip to Guyana to cover the Bartica Regatta.
Some seasoned musicians who are willing, and welcome the idea of a national Indian musical outfit of a professional stature, have already been contacted. Other interested musicians are being invited to auditions.
The format of the group will include harmonium, tabla, sitar, flute, dholak, tassa and other traditional Indian instruments. The original purity of “Shastri Sangeet” – real Indian classical music will be pursued; along with contemporary rhythms for the younger generation who love the best of Bollywood music.
It must be noted that the leader of the orchestra – Bhaskar Sharma remains Guyana’s only “Sangeet Alankar” – the equivalent of a Ph.D in Indian vocal music – a first for Guyana, the Caribbean and anywhere else in the Indian diaspora!
It should be remembered, also, that Bhaskar Sharma, in 1974, assisted the then Indian Cultural Centre in Albion, Corentyne, Berbicein its activities of teaching classical Indian music with the harmonium – of which he is adept.Tabla classes were also conducted by the world-class Professor Hasmat Ali Khan.
Many would remember the late, renowned Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who supported the visionary Prime Minister L.F.S. Burnham in his establishing of the Indian Cultural Centre in Guyana. This institution, today, has many of its senior students around the world teaching Indian music, especially in North America and other countries.
Some of these musical operatives include Mumtaz Ally (Khatak dance teacher), Devika (Khatak dancer and sister-in-law of the late Reepu Daman Persaud), Ramkissoon Singh – who has been teaching nation-wide in Guyana; and Bhaskar Sharma – a retired Professor of the Boards of Education in Ontario, Canada.
It must be remembered also, that it was during the time of Forbes Burnham as President, Indian musicians were paid for their art and excellence at the MahaSabha, over which the popular Speaker of the Assembly Sase Naraine was President.
According to Bhaskar Sharma, “we will invite all heads of the Hindu religious organizations in Guyana – including the Aryan Samaj and also Islamic groups nationwide to participate and support this musical initiative, as we will be introducing and teaching both Hindi and Urdu to all practitioners of this sublime art.”
For more information contact Founder-Director Bhaskar Sharma at 1-416-759-6397 or email: [email protected]. The Guyana contact is Ramkissoon Singh at 592-220-7475.