AAW #126

Even though the torrential rains have retreated with its weapons of blustery winds and storming thunderstorms, and if the city doesn’t have proper traffic management system or the roads are still brimming with potholes all around, remember creators are putting efforts day and night to make this city a more enriching place to live. This week’s art weekly doesn’t feature any sports or business events, neither the past hundreds of AAWs did because every week this calendar talks about events that are creative, that transmogrify souls and not just routines. Photography, art, music, literature, discussions and theatricals are some aspects that we prefer touching, and that is what even AAW 126 has got.

The special mention of AAW 126’s creative inspiration has been rewarded to Vasant Rai, the virtuoso of Indian-Gulf musical instrument Sarod and celebrated Indian classical music performer. Born in Paris, Rai belonged to a small village in Unjha, Gujarat and was the ultimate student of Allauddin Khan, one of the most renowned music mentors who also taught Pandit Ravi Shankar. His music compositions have still reminisced across the globe since he showed the aesthetics of music to veteran musician including George Harrison and Collin Walcott. He is one of the most recalled Indian classical music teachers who created a fusion with jazz composer Herbie Mann.