29 April – 3 June 2020
Project description
The Bagri Foundation is pleased to announce a new online series of videos on our youtube page as well as Instagram TV and Facebook, led by the renowned singer and composer Dr Radhika Chopra. Recorded from her own home during lockdown, Ghazal ki kahaani, Meri Zubaani invites viewers to join Dr Chopra on an intimate journey of discovery through the art of the Ghazal. Led by her curiosity and passion, this form of Urdu poetry is often male-dominated and is widely associated with love and longing. So this is a rare opportunity to be graced with Dr Chopra’s astonishing voice.
From 29 April, each week, through song and poetic recitation, the Foundation will share a new episode unfolding the mystery and complexity of the Ghazal form. Each of these episodes will be presented in Hindi and Urdu and unfortunately, due to the multi-layered meanings within the poetry, is not translated into English.
Biography
Born and brought up in Jammu, Radhika started learning music at a very young age from Pt. J.R.Sharma and started performing on stage and for All India Radio Jammu. After graduating from Govt College for women Jammu, she joined the Faculty of music and fine arts, Delhi University for her post-grad in Hindustani classical music, completing her PhD. She learnt Thumri, Dadra and Ghazal from the most eminent guru, Smt. Shanti Hiranand, renowned disciple of Begum Akhtar.
Dr Radhika Chopra is a much sought-after composer and singer not only across India and Pakistan, but as far away as the United Kingdom, the Near East and East Africa where loyal audiences have been charmed and enthralled by her melodious & soul stirring renditions and commanding stage presence. Dr. Chopra’s excellence & finesse, her crisp & clear voice coupled with her impeccable diction of both the Hindi and Urdu languages have won her accolades across the globe.
