NCPA Presents the Premiere of Shekhar Sen's SOORDAS, 6/14

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, India's premiere arts and culture institution presents the premiere of the much-awaited mono-act musical play 'Soordas' by renowned singer, music composer, lyricist and actor Shekhar Sen on Friday 14th June 2013 at the Tata Theatre; 6.30 pm.

Shekhar Sen, a music composer, lyricist and actor is internationally known for his unique mono-act musical plays. His previous plays include the hugely successful 'Kabeer', 'Tulsi', 'Vivekanand', 'Sanmati' & 'Saahab'. 'Soordas', is a tale of the legendary blind poet who was said to have composed more than 10000 bhajans in the praise of Lord Krishna. Soordas (1478-1581) is regarded as the foremost among the eight disciples (Ashta-chhap) of Vallabhacharya, a proponent of the Shuddhadvaita school of Vaishnavism, also known as Pushtimarg. During his life, Soordas witnessed the darkest period of religious fanaticism and countered it by spreading love with his lyrical compositions. His poems on the 'bAl Leela' of Krishna are immortal treasures of our devotional heritage.

In this presentation, he reveals the life, works and philosophy of the blind saint poet musician who went on to write Sur Sagar, a vast collection of compositions dedicated to Krishna.

The play covers 105 years of the saint's life, touching very interesting tales of becoming the lead figure of Ashta-chhap poets, meeting with Swami Haridas, Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, Tulsidas, Meerabai, Akbar and Tansen.

This two hour long play will have 36 melodious song sequences with a mix of common & rare ragas and is being presented in association with Sahachari Foundation.

Dr. Suvarnalata Rao, Musicologist and Head-Programming (Indian Music), NCPA, says, "Shekhar is a remarkable actor, lyricist, music composer, highly creative and innovative in his presentation of monoact plays and we at the NCPA are delighted to have him present his new work for our audiences. His previous plays have received a thumping response from the audiences and we are sure he will create the same magic on stage this time around as well."

Be the first one to experience divinity in this musical extravaganza only at the NCPA.

About Shekhar Sen:

Shekhar Sen is a well-known singer, music composer, lyricist and actor. Born and brought up in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, he learnt music from his parents, late Dr. Arun Kumar Sen & late Dr. Aneeta Sen, musicologists and renowned classical singers of Gwalior Gharana. His monoact musical plays "Tulsi", "Kabeer", "Vivekanand" & "Saahab" created history with more than 750 shows in India and all over the world. He has received several awards including the Sangeet Natak Academi Puraskaar.

About the NCPA:

Opening its doors to the world in 1969, the NCPA became the first multi-venue and multi-purpose cultural centre to be built in South Asia. Vibrant and diverse, the NCPA today is recognized by artistes, patrons and media alike as India's premier performing arts institution. The Centre provides a fine showcase for India's rich performing arts traditions, all thanks to the institution's training and research initiatives.

The NCPA presents over 600 events each year across all major art forms, most notably Indian Music, International Music, Theatre and Film, Dance, and Literature, Visual Arts and Photography. There are Heads of Programming for each of these art forms who curate innovative events and festivals; representative of everything from classical to contemporary throughout the year. The NCPA produces its own programmes as well as collaborates with leading cultural promoters from around the world.

For further information please log on to www.ncpamumbai.com

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