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The Asian Age
As a continuum to the ongoing cultural exchange between Russia and India, a special evening celebrating the music and dance of Russia was held at the Siri Fort Auditorium on Sunday. The event featured captivating performances by the vocal trio Relikt, and the dance troupe Yarmarka. The show was organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, in participation with the Federal Agency of Culture and Cinematography of Russia.
Organised a day after the festival of Holi, the show enthralled the audience with a variety of colourful performances. Adding to the already festive mood of Delhiites, the event started off with the soulful vocal performance by a group from Russia "Relikt".
Comprising talented musicians Alexander Nikerov, Alexey Kondratov and Vyasheslac Maunov , the trio performed soft, melodious numbers, with guitars and vocal-based rhythm. With a wide of repertoire of songs, themes like love, romance and war, the trio sang all numbers with their characteristic "a’capella" style.
The music found a very appreciative audience, who enjoyed the performance and even sang along as they clapped on the beats of popular numbers. Dressed in black suits, the trio mesmerised everybody with their soft yet powerful renditions.
The magic of Relikt was followed by the dance troupe Yarmarka, who amazed the audiences with their colourful performance. "Yarmarka" literally means a "fair", and the show captured the festivity and energy of a Russian fair in a very effective manner. Set in contemporary style, the dances displayed a unique blend of folk themes in modern backgrounds. The performance was foot-tapping and exciting, and many dancers displayed their acrobatic skills while dancing. Dressed in bright colours, the troupe managed to electrify the audience through a variety of dances which portrayed the culture of Russia.
According to Natasha, a member of the group Yarmarka, "Ours is a young group, but still we try our best to present and promote Russian culture in our performances. We stick to traditional stories and themes, while displaying a modern style. This allows us to explore our creativity to the fullest. We are glad that our audiences are always receptive and warm, and like our work. The Indian audience, specially, is very supportive and loving. We hope to perform in Delhi again, in the future."
Both Relikt and Yarmarka were given a standing ovation. Many amongst the audience were Russian music enthusiasts, who enjoyed the evening.
Sara, a Relikt fan said, "I love Russian music. It is very soulful, and connects beautifully with the listener. And Relikt, according to me, are geniuses. Their talent is amazing, and vocal range outstanding. I have always admired and liked their music. But Yarmarka surprised me too. Can you believe it? I was almost dancing in my chair during their performance. The energy they bring to the stage is phenomenal."
The musical extravaganza was the second in the chain of Indo-Russian musical performances scheduled to be held in India throughout this year. 2008 is the year of Indo-Russian cultural exchange, and more such events would be held in the capital. Kick-started at the Purana Qila earlier this year, Russian performances have been well-received by people, and Delhiites would have more such opportunities to witness the culture and arts of Russia in the months to come.
Samarth Pathak | New Delhi
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