Shantanu Moitra, Bharat Dabholkar, Reema Kagti… to judge MVP’s musical fiesta showcasing 49+ artists

Sone ki raahon me sone ka jagah nahin, crooned Bappi Lahiri once, probably perfectly speaking for the city of life.

Mumbai or erstwhile Bombay has always been musical for those who dared to dream. Bollywood has always found the metropolis to be inspirational to create hit numbers.
No wonder that the MVP (Music Video Project) BMC in association with The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) already has 40 teams, 9 solo musicians and counting. The contest promises to give global audiences a taste of Mumbai’s sounds and vibe.

Music makers Milind Joshi and Shantanu Moitra, director-screenwriter Reema Kagti, advertising and theatre veteran Bharat Dabholkar, Manisha Dey who heads programming and content for Gaana.com and Nirmika Singh, editor of Rolling Stone are on the jury panel.

Admits Reema Kagti, “Mumbai has always been an inspiration - its love, its vibe, culture, people, food… Everything. I look forward to celebrating the city’s essence and culture with these videos.”

Adds Manisha Dey, “I seek something that is original in its idea musically as well as with its creative execution. It should be a video that not just celebrates the culture, combination of traditions, religions, cuisines, music and fine arts, but truly captures the diversity and inclusive nature of the metropolis.”

Says Shantanu Moitra, “Everyday hundreds of people come to Mumbai from all over India to make their dreams come true. The video should depict the inner thoughts of people and this city while they weave those dreams, should be something that touches my heart and makes me want to see it again and again.”

Nirmika Singh, Editor of Rolling Stone wants the journey to be a fun fiesta. She advises the artists: “Stay original, stay authentic and have a lot of fun.”

The collaborating artists are just as excited. Says Zoya Khan, “The song Kuch Toh Gadbad is from personal experience about the limerence but hope within a heart. The song is full of mischief and gadbad.”

Shriram Iyer, a true blue Mumbaikar, speaks of his song. “Khud Ka Pata is a breezy, lovely romantic drive kind of track. It brings a smile to your face.”

The group Madmast expresses the feelings behind their track. “There are many who come to Mumbai looking for something or the other and blend in the expansive ocean of faces. The hustle of the city, the uncountable hopes, dreams and aspirations associated with Mumbai becomes a part of their life. Our track is about this journey.”

Rakesh and Friends (RAF) is clear. “Our song blends cross-cultural sounds into an artistic masterpiece. Mumbai wears its heart on its sleeve, strives to keep moving and survives the chaos with an ethnicity guided by the unified emotion of love.”

Swarupa Ananth aka Tablanaari avers, “Being a percussionist, my track has obviously percussive elements, set on a bed of modern contemporary sounds. The track is layered with dhol and celebration sounds often heard on the streets of Mumbai along with everyday sounds we listen to as a Mumbaikar.
I am excited about the spirit of collaboration between musicians and filmmakers. Visuals and sound have always gone hand in hand and a platform like this only strengthens the relationship.”

The winning videos will be awarded and screened at a high-profile event in Mumbai, and selected videos will also be screened at Santos, Brazil at UCCN’s upcoming event and many more international avenues.
The winning videos will also be showcased at KGAF 2023.

The Music Video Project has been conceived and executed by the 48 Hour Film Project India. Wobble Creative & Content is their partner to curate the music.

The Music Video Project Kick Off event is on Friday July 29, 2022, 5 pm to 8 pm at Rude Lounge Powai, Mumbai, which marks the start of the contest to make the Best Music Video. 12 musicians have collaborated with the MVP by sharing original tracks. More than 40 teams are participating in the contest. Each team will be allotted a track through random picking of chits. They have 15 days to script, shoot, edit and submit the film. The last date to submit an entry is Saturday August 14, 2022.  
The winner takes home a cash prize as well.

www.musicvideoproject.in

Mumbai throngs Nisha JamVwal’s Art Fiesta ‘Meanderings’ by Lata Balakrishna

 

Nisha JamVwal, celebrity columnist, art curator, interior architect and social activist presented Meanderings by Lata Balakrishna, a Modern contemporary Indian artist whose oeuvre JamVwal showcased at the Taj Mahal Hotel Art Gallery that has also exhibited works by the legendary MF Husain and FN Souza.

The five day art fiesta pulled off by Nisha JamVwal was easily the most talked-about extravaganza of this year post-Covid. Famous Art collectors, Art Aficionados, Consul Generals, Authors, Top Police commissioners, Bureaucrats, CEOs from the corporate world, actors, singers, models, fashion designers all friends of Nisha JamVwal thronged the show  that opened with a grand dinner at Recca Kala Ghoda followed by four champagne cocktails back to back at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Gateway of India.
Guests were enthralled by the textured whites and vibrancy in clouds and waters that take us at once into a minds search for the meaning of life.  

Nisha JamVwal looking stunning in a Marium Akbar Khan gold gown took guests on walking tours each day speaking about the works in the show ‘Meanderings’ telling friends  about Her interpretation of the art.




The Glitterati included author Ashwin Sanghi, Maestro Anup Jalota, Maestro Roop Kumar Rathod, Japanese Consul General Dr Fukahori Yasukata, Kobbi Shoshani Israel Consul General, Consul General Turkey Tolga Kaya, actors Sara Khan, Tanaaz Irani, Luke Kenny, Designers Pallavi Jaikishan, Eshaa Amin, Amy Billimoria and Roshni and Parvez Damania, Shashi Bansal,  Malti Jain, Nidarshana Govani among many others.
Says JamVwal “Lata invited me to see her work as many artists do all over the world with the desire that I host a solo show for them. I went without expecting much as I almost always do. It would be an understatement to say that I was moved by what I interpreted as canvases that speak of a  woman achiever thirsting to explore a world outside her  life of  responsibilities breaking free from the regimented routine hurdles and monotonous repetitive mundane”

The chiaroscuro of shadow and sunshine, the showers of colour in meandering waters drew me into her world, where the title ‘meandering’ came to me not only because of a travel junkie thirsting to explore a world outside her childhood in Jalandar, but I saw her art as journey into her own mind.

Women all over the world face challenges multitasking home and work, ever the champions who go through life traipsing over challenging hurdles  that life poses. Often employed at work outside and running a home simultaneously bearing babies and rearing them, caring and managing the family needs- the story is deeply etched in the Indian scenario and culture of joint families arranged matrimony and the ensuing characteristics of all this in the predominantly male chauvinistic society that is India.

I am lost in a kaleidoscope of emotions that play out using symbolic metaphor as tools of expression seeking more from life”

Roopkumar Rathod, Leslee Lewis, Rupali Suri, veteran artists Padmanabh Bendre, Kiran Chopra, Dr Anusha Srinivasan Iyer launch Ram Pratihar's show at Jehangir Art Gallery

The sky was blue for Ram Pratihar
at his solo show at Jehangir Art Gallery as the who is who of art and entertainment thronged to be part of his do. Roopkumar Rathod, Leslee Lewis, Rupali Suri, veteran artists Padmanabh Bendre, Kiran Chopra, art collector Ajoykant Ruia, Gautam Patole, Dr. Anusha Srinivasan Iyer,
artists Paramesh Paul, Sanjukta Arun, Vipta Kapadia, Ashish Kumar Shringi, Kamal Jain, Pradeep Chandra  arrived to cheer
 Ram Pratihar at his show at Jahangir Art Gallery.

Ram Pratihar hails from the historical city of Bundi in Rajasthan.
About 25 of his best paintings on display ar Gallery 3 of Jehangir Art Gallery  for visitors till June 13.
The paintings of Ram Pratihar created in acrylic colors on canvas and paper boasted of the combination  of bright and hazy colours, each lending their own unique touch. Ram has his own world of colours, yellow, violet, red, black, white, and blue being his favorite. He  divides space on the canvas using  colours, a technique that sets him apart from other artists.
These untitled paintings in abstract style offer the viewer a new art vision.  Ram Pratihar has earlier  exhibited his paintings in Jaipur, Kota, and Delhi. This is his first in Mumbai. The turnout spoke of how the future is bright for this amazing artist.

Artists and celebs throng NGMA retrospective tribute to Rini Dhumal and her colourful canvas of life...

Every artist dips his brush into his soul, and then emerges a masterpiece. This seems to be so true for artist Rini Dhumal.   The Power of

Shakti: A Retrospective of Rini Dhumal  at the National Gallery of modern art speaks volumes for the artist and each of her works that reflect her strength and resilience  radiating in its  light. Rini Dhumal's powerful works have always brought out the extraordinary  strength in the ordinary  Indian woman. Her works of art were strongly rooted in Indian culture at the same time, effortlessly embraced

the influences of her foreign travels and their influence.

Her studio situated on the first floor of her residence was recreated at NGMA besides the powerful

ambience for the works, thanks to the efforts of  Adwaita Charan Garanayak, Director General, NGMA who has also curated the   exhibition.

Rini Dhumal's retrospective -- Shakti is on view from Saturday, 21st May, 2022 onwards.

The preview of the exhibition was graced by Brinda Miller, Nisha Jamwwal, Sudarshan Shetty, Pheroza Godrej, Vilas Shinde, Director General NGMA, Adwait Gadanayak, PD Dhumal, Radhika Dhumal, Shashi Bansal, Kalpana Gandhi, Vinod Sharma, Madhu Sharma, Sanjana Shelat, Jayanti Rabadia, Madhusudan, Jain Kamal, Kuldeep Koregaonkar among others.

The exhibition

is on view from Saturday, 21st May, 2022 onwards.

Shakti was scheduled to open in December, 2020, but the COVID -19 pandemic wreaked havoc and

thus, the show was postponed by a year. Unfortunately, Rini Dhumal passes away

rather unexpectedly in September, 2021. Hence the retrospective.

Kavya Jones takes a soulful leap of faith, and soars with Tu Hai Mera

Legendary Leslee Lewis and his precocious singer Kavya Jones joined hands once again with Kavya

Jones' singles Tu Hai Mera. The song video was shot at Monochrome Studios, Mumbai. Kavya, a true protege of Leslee Lewis rocked the day effortlessly transitioning from singing style to another, transversing a gamut of emotions.
Says Leslee Lewis. "I composed this song keeping Kavya Jones' personality in mind. She is immensely dedicated and that is a rarity today. In the last four years that she has assisted me, I understand her colours. This song is  reflecting her true persona of scarlet and black. And adds to it diverse colours that are as vibrant as her. A bit of blue, green and yellow!"
Adds Kavya, "I love the song.i
 It is hi energy yet melodious. It is funky yet so romantic. The woman in the song is a woman of today not afraid of express herself. I see myself in her. She demands yet she dreams, she is aggressive yet she pleads... This song is as crazy as me. I am blessed to have a Guru like Leslee Lewis who has taught me everything I know. I have been observing him for four years and learning -- sometimes I am just a fly on the wall quietly watching the goings-on. Even that is amazingly insightful. I am giving my best to the song to live up to at least one per cent of Leslee Sir's expectations. And I hope the audience loves it."
Tu Hai Mera, composed and produced by Leslee Lewis and set to vocals by Kavya Jones is expected to release on May 18.

Ustad Amjad Khan Sahab's morning Raga resonate The Royal Opera House! Gulzar Sahab regales audiences with his anecdotes of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sahab. Morning Raaga celebrates heritage conservation oj Sarod Ghar

 The morning of Sunday, 1st May  became more memorable to Mumbaiites when two maestros met on stage.  Weare speaking  of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Gulzar Sahab.  Yes, India's legendary Sarod maestro and Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sahab's

'Morning Raga'  concert at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai on Sunday, May 1 was housefull with citizens thronging fir an amazing musical experience.   Gulzar Sahab who has also made a one-hour documentary film on Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sahab and the Sarod Ghar added to the divine ambience with his words.  One of the most prominent cultural heritage landmarks in Gwalior - Sarod Ghar, a museum of musical heritage, considered to be the oldest institution documenting the evolution of East Indian classical music and instruments. Heritage is in itself a manifestation of culture and inheritance evolving with time. It is a source of identity and a receptor of value attributed to it by communities, institutions and people, mediating the resources of the past to the present.
Avid Learning in association with Sarod Ghar-Museum of Musical Heritage, Furtados and Royal Opera House, presented the    concert that celebrates the journey of a unique cultural institution that was once the the family’s ancestral home and today, aims to celebrate our musical legacy and  culture for the younger generation who are the future stakeholders of the arts.
The event was attended by the Bangash family comprising of Subhalakshmi Khan, Neema and Ayaan Ali Bangash,  and grandchildren Abeer and Zohaan Ali Bangash besides Roopkumar Rathod and Reewa Rathod, Shweta Basu Prasad, Romesh Sharma among others

Gurukul returns with this Singles Video! Padmashree singer Suresh Wadkar-Canadian singing sensation Abby V join hands in 'Maan Le'! Music release and cake-cutting with composer Durgesh, producer Padma Wadkar at Ajivasan

Padmashree singer Suresh Wadkar is known for his unique voice and singing style that has won millions of hearts.   Now, in his role of  Guru with Ajivasan, Suresh Wadkar is the beacon of light to many youngsters. The current video. Maan Le sees Suresh Wadkar  as singer and Guru.
 In this music video, Suresh Wadkar is also seen sharing a special musical bond with Canadian based  Abby V and composer Durgesh.   The duo has breathed life into this song, with producer Padma Wadkar.  The song is composed by Durgesh R Rajbhatt, and producer of this music video is Padma Wadkar.  The song is presented by Ajivasan Sounds.  Recently, the song launch with singers Suresh Wadkar, Abby V, music producer Durgesh and Producer Padma Wadkar took place at Ajivasan sounds.
Abby V is  an award winning singer, songwriter, composer and producer from Toronto. A viral sensation, this collaboration with music producer  Durgesh and Producer Padma Wadkar is already making waves globally.
Here is looking forward to more from Suresh Wadkar and his young brigade that .anes mellifluous music that stands out in the cacophony in the industry today.
 https://youtu.be/5OeNS-zj1vI