73rd Independence Day of India celebrations in Sri Lanka

Music from the valley of Kashmir enthralled the audience in Colombo

A mega musical evening ‘Strings of Harmony’ – a Santoor Jugalbandi featuring legendary maestros from India Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Pandit Rahul Sharma enthralled the music lovers of Colombo at BMICH on 15 August. The cultural evening was presented by High Commission of India in celebration of the 73rd Independence Day of India.

More than 1,500 guests attended the cultural event where Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and his son Pandit Rahul Sharma kept the audience spellbound with their creative genius. Hailing from a family of musicians from Kashmir, the two maestros on Santoor were accompanied by eminent musicians Barkha Sharma, Bhawani Prasad Kathak, Yogesh Ratnakar Samsi on Tanpura, Tabla and Pakhawaj. 

Santoor, the 100-stringed unique folk instrument from the valley of Kashmir owes its classical status to Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, the legendary maestro has created a new genre of instrumental music with his creative genius through his performance career of over half a century. He has been bestowed with a long list of national and international awards including Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award from the Government of India. Apart from the classical music Pt Sharma has also composed music for blockbuster Bollywood films like Silsila, Chandni, Lamhe, Darr, etc. which are all-time favourites across the globe. 

Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka Karu Jaysuriya graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu presided over the function. Minister Rauff Hakeem, Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Minister Palani Digambaram, Minister Daya Gamage, Deputy Minister Anoma Gamage, State Minister V. Radhakrishan, Governor Suren Raghavan and many other dignitaries attended the event.

An exhibition titled ‘Weaves and stitches of India: the Saree Sutra’ – showcasing the unity in diversity through textiles and weaves from different States of India was also showcased at BMICH and was greatly appreciated by the audience.

The celebration of the 73rd Independence Day of India in Sri Lanka began early in the morning with a flag hoisting ceremony held at India House, the official residence of the High Commissioner of India. The event was open to public and large numbers of members of the Indian community participated in the event.

High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu read out the address of the President of India to the nation and also addressed the gathering. In his address he reiterated India’s solidarity with Sri Lanka against all forces of terrorism. The address was followed by a brief cultural program which showcased folk and classical performances from various regions of India.