In the presence of the Indian Ambassador in Rome Vani Rao.
Holi is one of the most heartfelt and popular festivals in India, also known as the ‘festival of colours’. It celebrates the arrival of the new season, spring, representing a time of rebirth and marking the beginning of the long festive season leading up to Diwali.
One of the most iconic elements of Holi is the flinging of coloured gulal powders, as a collective expression of joy and communion among people, celebrating the beauty of life and nature.
The festival of Holi is associated with various legends and myths, traditionally told through dance-theatre performances and music concerts in front of temples and in public squares. The feeling of love, expressed by the stories of Krishna and the ‘Gopi’ shepherdesses, is the inspiration for many traditional folk compositions and songs in Hindustani music.
In Hindustani classical music, the Ragas traditionally associated with the season of spring are: Basant, Bahar, Sarang, and others.
Concert programme
Rajnandini Chauhan hails from Uttar Pradash, the Ganges basin region where traditional Holi songs are part of popular culture and deeply rooted in society. The singer will begin her vocal recital with a Raga associated with the spring season, followed by traditional Holi songs and some Bhajans, or love songs dedicated to Krishna. The day after Holi is considered an auspicious day when the victory of good over evil is celebrated by lighting a fire in the city squares. Fire (Agni) is a symbol of destruction but also of purity. The goddess Durga, also known as Bhavani, embodies this aspect. To conclude her recital, singer Rajnandini will also perform the Raga Durga and a Bhajan dedicated to the goddess Bhavani. Singer Rajnandini Chauhan will be accompanied by Nihar Mehta on the tabla and Santosh Ghante on the harmonium; both artists are experienced in the accompaniment of North-Indian vocal music.