Featuring
Creative forces converging to contribute their genius to the cause of strengthening children’s concentration and focus
Kavitha Krishnamurthy
Notable Indian film playback singer, Kavita Krishnamurthy is a true Indian in every sense. She was born in New Delhi, in a Tamil Iyer family, and trained in Rabindra Sangeet even before beginning her education in classical Indian music. Initially, she used to work as a dubbing artiste, but gradually she gained prominence with a string of hits from 1942: A Love Story, Yaraana, Agni Sakshi, Bhairavi, and Khamoshi. By mid-1990s, Kavita established herself as a leading female singer. She has bagged a lot of awards in music including the Filmfare; and has also been awarded the Padma Shri in 2005.
Hariharan
In his illustrious career spanning almost four decades, Hariharan has established himself as one of the most versatile and powerful singers in India. Born in Thiruvananthapuram, his musician’s genes were showcased through songs in Bollywood films like Roja, Border, Bombay and Rangeela, and various Tamil and Marathi films, which also won him several regional and two national awards. Ghazals are also a big part of his career. His collaboration with Leslie Lewis to form a fusion band Colonial Cousins was a major music event in 1996. In 2004, Hariharan was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
Salim
An Indian music composer in Bollywood films, Salim Merchant is no new face to the lovers of melody. Born in Bhuj, Gujarat, he was educated in St. Peters School, and later he mastered the piano at the Trinity College of Music in London. With hit songs in films like Chak De India, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Fashion, Band Baaja Baaraat and many more under his hat, Salim has also been part of the anthem of 2010 FIFA World Cup. Judging the 5th and 6th seasons of Indian Idol was yet another of his achievements, along with Filmfare, Apsara, Star Screen and other awards.
Alka Yagnik
When famous actresses such as Hema Malini, Rekha, Kajol, and Preity Zinta are seen singing on screen, it is often actually Alka Yagnik’s voice. Born in Calcutta, her singing career began with All India Radio, and gradually with age, she began working with eminent Indian composers such as Rahul Dev Burman, A. R. Rahman, Anand-Milind, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, and many others. Alka shares the title with Asha Bhosle for the greatest number of Filmfare Awards won (7) by a single female playback singer. She has also judged various Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge shows, and Star Voice of India.
Shyam Benegal
The success that the new India cinema enjoyed in the 1970 s and the early 1980 s could largely be attributed to Shyam Benegal’s “Ankur” (1973), “Nishant” (1975), “Manthan” (1976)and “Bhumika” (1977). For his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, he was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Pt Shankar Ghosh
Pt Shankar Ghosh has -for over 5 decades now – mesmerized audiences all over the world with his unique baaj (style) of table playing. Eminent table players like Ustad Zakhir Hussain, Pt Swapan Chowdhury, Pt Anindyo Chatterjee admit his monumental contribution in the field of table playing.
Probir Guha
Theatre personality Probir Guha has been lauded by the leading minds in the world of theatre. His company Alternative Living Theatre has developed a new aesthetics and forged new tools of expression moving away from the linear narration, speech and movement of conventional drama. He was awarded Sangeet Natak Akademy Award for his experimental theatre.
Sumit Roy
Sumit Roy is a multidimensional musical personality. Besides being a versatile innovative and prolific composer of both English and Bengali Songs, he is popularly acclaimed as the “Nat king cole of Calcutta”, “King of Calypso”. A self-taught pianist, he has evolved his own idiom, style, motif in improvising Indian Classical and Jazz Music.