Rabindranath Tagore’s fans and followers in the UAE have a reason to rejoice as Malhaar, the UAE’s hub for Indian performing arts and training, is set to present ‘Romancing Tagore’. The event, scheduled for Saturday, May 11, at 7:30 pm at the Emirates International School auditorium in Jumeirah, Dubai, will showcase the music, poetry, and philosophy of the polymath.
The evening will feature Indian classical music maestro Shubha Mudgal along with a Malhaar ensemble of 30 artists and an elaborate live orchestra of traditional Indian and Western music. This annual celebration of Tagore’s birth month aims to explore the diverse influences, sensibilities, and variations of the Nobel laureate’s poetic words and music.
In this year’s edition, Hindustani classical stalwart Shubha Mudgal will perform compositions that echo Tagore’s philosophy, while the Malhaar ensemble will present popular and familiar renditions of Tagore songs with an 18-piece live orchestra on stage. The audience can expect a mesmerizing display of Tagore’s poetic sensibilities blended with pure Hindustani classical form.
Last year, Malhaar curated a musical titled ‘Tagore meets Tagore’, featuring veteran Indian actress Sharmila Tagore. As the musical extravaganza unfolds, Malhaar will pay tribute to Tagore’s philosophy and offer insights into his thoughts on love, humanity, correlation of arts and science, spirituality, and nationalism through his writings in Bangla and English.
“I am excited to perform in Dubai again. While the Malhaar choir will present Rabindranath Tagore’s compositions, I will respond to the compositions by presenting khayal or thumri or raag-based compositions in Brajbhasha, Awadhi, and Hindi,” said Shubha Mudgal. The unique flair that a Malhaar presentation always brings to life on stage is expected to enthrall the audience even long after the evening’s final note fades out.
Romancing Tagore will be presented in English and Bangla on Saturday, May 11, at 7.30 pm. Tickets are available for purchase on the Platinum List website. Don’t miss this spectacular celebration of Tagore’s legacy through music, poetry, and philosophy in the heart of Dubai.
