WATCH: Over 100 Musicians From G20 Countries Dazzle Audience With Orchestral Performance In Varanasi
The performance titled 'Sur Vasudha'by the G20 Orchestra was put together under India's G20 presidency on Saturday night to mark the closing of the Culture Ministers' Meeting in the city.
A total of 101 musicians and vocalists from G20 member nations and invited countries came together in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi and dazzled an audience with an orchestral performance. The performance titled 'Sur Vasudha'by the G20 Orchestra was put together under India's G20 presidency on Saturday night to mark the closing of the Culture Ministers' Meeting in the city.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy took to X and hailed the event saying, "the orchestra's enchanting tunes embodied the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" - the world is one family". "#SurVasudha, a musical marvel, performed in honour of the delegates of the #G20 Culture Ministers' Meeting in Varanasi - Hon’ble PM @narendramodi’s constituency," Reddy said.
#SurVasudha, a musical marvel, performed in honour of the delegates of the #G20 Culture Ministers' Meeting in Varanasi - Hon’ble PM @narendramodi’s constituency.
— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) August 27, 2023
The orchestra consisted of musicians from 29 G20 member and invitee countries, it celebrated the musical traditions… pic.twitter.com/8KHhqtf9Mz
The orchestra consisted of musicians from 29 G20 member and invitee countries, it celebrated the musical traditions with diverse instruments and vocalists singing in their native languages, The orchestra's enchanting tunes embodied the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" - the world is one family.
The cast featured 61 musicians and vocalists from India and 40 musicians and vocalists from G20 nations and invitee countries. The artistes brought their traditional musical instruments and they played in perfect harmony in Benares -- the ancient city of music. The event was attended by delegates from the UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and international bodies such as UNESCO, ICOMOS and ICOM. They described it as "mesmerising" and a "stunning and beautiful experience".
A Brazilian conga met an Indian mridangam, a Scottish bagpipe played in symphony with an Indian shehnai, Italian violins played along with the sarangi, the English flute in accord with the bansuri, and the French horn synced with the strains of the India sitar.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal And UP CM Adityanath Among Attendees
The nearly hour-long performance held at a convention centre also saw the presence of Union Ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Meenakashi Lekhi, and UP CM Yogi Adityanath, besides a large number of G20 delegates, and officials from the Ministry of Culture.
The opening piece of the enthralling concert was 'Sur Vasudha', which introduced the audience to all the sounds of the G20 Orchestra. It was followed by the piece 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family), named after the theme of India's G20 Presidency, as 29 languages and cultural imprints from different countries merged into a river of symphonic choir.
Each vocalist, wearing their traditional costumes, sang 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' in his or her own language in unison. The ensemble of musicians included a group from the Chennai Strings Orchestra, a performer from Turkiye who played the traditional Turkish instrument 'qanun', a Dutch musician playing a harp, besides a host of international vocalists and musicians. Vocalists from Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Argentina, Russia, and Canada among others, added to the ethereal atmosphere heightened by beautiful stagecraft which also sought to mimic the ghats of Ganga in Varanasi.
Union Minister Meghwal and Yogi Adityanath Handed Over Ceremonial Baton To Performers From Brazil
The last piece of the concert which marked the continuity of the G20 as India will later this year hand over the presidency of the bloc to Brazil. Meghwal and Adityanath handed over the ceremonial baton to the performers from Brazil on stage. The six pieces in sequence were -- 'Sur Vasudha', 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', 'One Earth', 'One Family', 'One Future' and 'Continuum'. Vocalist and conductor Soumyojit Das and pianist Sourendro composed the music for the concert.
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