O Gaanewali

O Gaanewali is a performance of Hindustani semi-classical music (including thumri, dadra, ghazal, hori, kajri, etc.) interspersed with stories of the women performers who contributed immensely to the evolution and growth of these forms. Many of these women were tawaifs, and between Victorian British morality and the Indian freedom struggle, there was a systemic attempt to wipe out any memory of their contributions to these forms. This show is a small attempt to pay tribute to these marvellous artists.

The show is written and curated by Avanti Patel, and performed by Avanti, and Rutuja Lad on vocals, accompanied by Siddharth Padiyar on the tabla, Apoorv Petkar on the harmonium, and Ejaz Hussain on the sarangi. The script is in conversational English and Hindi, and the show is specifically designed to make this type of music accessible to young people as well as those who may not be familiar with this form. Oftentimes classical/semi-classical shows have a requirement of ‘literacy’ from the audience; this is something O Gaanewali is actively trying to combat. Our premise is that if you like music in general, and enjoy listening to these types of songs, you will enjoy the show.

This event is co-presented in collaboration with the Indian Music Experience Museum, and is organised as part of the larger programming around MAP’s permanent exhibition, Visible/Invisible: Representation of Women in Art Through the MAP Collection.