Khula Asmaan, in collaboration with Wide Wings Media, presented “O Gaanewali” at Lokmanya Rangmandir in Belgaum, paying homage to overlooked artists from the late 1800s, including tawaifs, gaanewalis, and naachnewalis.
Avanti Patel and Rutuja Lad, accompanied by Vighnesh Kamat on the tabla and Nusrat Apoorva on the harmonium, performed songs popularized by renowned artists like Gauhar Jaan, Janakibai, Raasoolan Bai, Begum Akhtar, and Shobha Gurtu. They showcased various Hindustani semi-classical formats including Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, and more.
The event aimed to highlight the often-overlooked contributors to Indian classical music, portraying them as unsung heroes. Avanti Patel, a finalist on Indian Idol, directed, conceptualized, and wrote the show, bringing depth to the performance by merging art with meaningful conversations about gender and society.
The audience experienced a musical journey filled with captivating facts, stories, and anecdotes about the past. Directed by Meghna A.T. and Mallika Singh, the show received support from Dhanashree Multipurpose Co-operative Society and Samarth Urban Co-operative Credit Society. Co-founder Vaibhav Lokur welcomed the gathering, and artists were felicitated by Swati Kulkarni, the Co-founder of Khula Asmaan.
