About Kala Ankur
Kala Ankur was formed and founded by a group of art-loving persons of Ajmer. They had a strong commitment for the promotion of fine and performing arts and culture through quality entertainment and knowledge-oriented activities.
After a series of meetings and interaction, it was 20th January’1996 when these enthusiasts presented their first show and they never looked back thereafter. Year after year, more and more people joined hands with Kala Ankur. High quality concerts, exhibitions, workshops, trainings etc were organized one after the other in the fields of music, drama, dances, paintings, poetry, photography etc. Gradually, over the years, Kala Ankur has earned name and reputation amongst the music/art lovers of Ajmer, Rajsthan and even India. The institution has been registered as Kala Ankur Sansthan and has a very organized and structured set up of office bearers and members.
A number of artists of national and international repute have performed at Kala Ankur and many of its members themselves are experienced and expert performers in a variety of fine and performing arts. Kala Ankur enjoys the presence of planners, event managers, composers, writers/poets, musicians, dancers, painters technicians, computer professionals, designers etc as its members.
Kala Ankur has a vision, focusing mainly on the promotion of various art forms through its programmes of good taste and quality. One of the most important aims of Kala Ankur is to search new and young talent and provide them the guidance, opportunities and platform to develop into good performing artists.
Over the period we have been visited by some distinguished personalities in the field of music. Here are
some of their views about Kala Ankur
NAUSHAD
The great music director expressed in his hand written letter -
“I am very happy to say that Kala Ankur is keeping the memories of late and legendary
artists like “Sehgal Sahib” and “Burman Sahib” alive through SMARAN programmes.
This effort deserves immense praise, because in today’s world, nobody has the time
to remember these great artists of past, like you do.
Please accept my salute to all the members and artists of your organization.
ANAND JI VIR JI SHAH
The famous music director was our chief guest in SMARAN- 2003 programme(A tribute to Hemant Kumar). He became very
emotional at stage, remembering his late brother Kalyanji.
He said- “I have no words to express. I am really moved. You have charged my battery
again to do something more in my life. After seeing your programme, I can say
that
“Hindustan Abhi Zinda Hai” (India Is Still Alive). We have no reasons to lose all hope of survival of our old culture and music.”
“Kala Ankur has been doing a great job in a small place like Ajmer. Even our FilmFare award
programmes do not have this flavour and sincerity.
I feel pleasure in declaring that
I am and shall always remain a member of Kala Ankur.
Long live Kala Ankur.”
RANO MUKHARJEE
Daughter of late Singer and Music director Hemant Kumar, in her telephonic interview said -
“I am extremely happy that Kala Ankur is remembering my father through their Smaran - 2003
programme. I am happy to get an opportunity to speak something about my father.
You are doing a great job. Please keep it up. My best wishes for the success of the programme.
I am and shall always remain with you.
SAMEER KOHLI
Son of late music director Madan Mohan was our chief guest during SMARAN- 2001(A tribute to late Madan Mohan).
He, with a very heavy heart and tears in his eyes, said-“It was a great moment to listen
to these children and artists of Kala Ankur singing the songs of my father.
I am
sure that my father, wherever he is, shall be immensely happy to listen to theses
songs through which he is being remembered even after twenty seven years of his death.
I shall carry the memories of this programme with me to Bombay as a very precious
treasure of my life. I thank you for the love and affection given to me by all
the members of Kala Ankur.”
SANJEEVANI
The playback singer, during her performance in Kala Ankur’s programme SMARAN- 2004(A tribute to the late music director C. Ram Chandra) said – “
I am not only extremely happy but also surprised to see such a commendable work
being done at a small place like Ajmer. The musicians have been providing perfect
and “cut to cut” accompaniment. The dedication and sincerity of all musicians,
artists and members of Kala Ankur is amazing. I find them fully devoted for music
and art. I
feel really honored to have been a part of this programme.”
USTAD MOHD. HUSSAIN & USTAD AHMED HUSSAIN
Were the esteemed judges during Kala Ankur’s talent search programme KHOJ-2002 and SITARON KI KHOJ -2006.
They said- “It is not enough to say that the programme was very good.
It was
actually excellent and the standard of performance by young talent was beyond
our expectation. We have felt so much at home in the atmosphere of Kala Ankur
that we feel to be a part of this organization. Your efforts to promote young
talent are adorable. Please keep it up.
GULSHAN BAWARA (THE RENOWNED LYRICIST AND ACTOR)
Gulshan Bawara was so moved after seeing live performance of kawwali "Na Tho Karwan Ki Talash Hai" that he came on the stage and said that this kawwali was actually recorded by Roshan in one take with all the singers and musicians. I congratulate Kala Ankur for maintaining the flavor and soul of this kawwali which is very difficult to be performed live in one go.
He said that the songs coming these days are recorded by the singers and musicians separately in 10 to 12 different parts and then being mixed together, using the high technologies on computers. As such today's songs are just a mechanical production and have no soul and the power of the touching the hearts of listeners. Today’s songs are like a painless delivery from a mother who has no feelings of attachment for her child because she hasn't felt the pain of delivering the child.
SNEHA PANT (WINNER OF MEGA FINAL OF SA RE GA MA FOR CHILDREN AND PLAYBACK SINGER)
Sneha Pant said that she was very fond old songs, but was not getting any occasion to sing these songs these days. She said that Kala Ankur has been doing a wonderful job of preserving this treasure of Indian music through their SMARAN series of tribute to the late legends.
ANTARA CHAUDHARY (D/O LATE SALIL CHAUDHARY)
Antara Chaudhary said that she was feeling highly touched by the way Kala Ankur was remembering her father with so much sincerity and dedication in presentation of these creations of her father. She added that her father used to say that if you want to become a good artist you have to be a good human being first.
And above all are the blessings and good wishes for Kala Ankur by Bharat Ratna
LATA MANGESHKAR in her telephonic conversation with our Vice President (Present President) Mrs. Nisha Jalori. Please watch the video placed below -
