From Carnatic ragas and jazz to the wit and wisdom of fables, Bengaluru is set to host an evening that brings together two distinct worlds of storytelling through music, dance and theatre. The 18th edition of the AIM Bengaluru International Arts Festival, scheduled at Chowdiah Memorial Hall on September 20, will feature Carnatic-jazz ensemble Megha, followed by Dancing Tales… Panchatantra, a dance-theatre production conceived and choreographed by Padma Shri Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant.A conversation between Carnatic music and jazzFounded in 1991 by veena artiste Dr Suma Sudhindra and guitarist Gerard Machado, Megha blends Indian classical music with jazz and contemporary rhythms. The ensemble’s performance will feature Dr Suma Sudhindra on veena, Gerard Machado on guitar, Anooru Anantha Krishna Sharma on mridangam, S N Narayana Murthy on ghatam, Joshua Costa on keyboards and Jeoraj George on drums. The performance will draw on music from the ensemble’s albums Clean Licks and Touch Another Life, bringing together structured ragas, improvisation and rhythm-led arrangements.Panchatantra through dance and theatreThe second presentation, Dancing Tales… Panchatantra, will revisit five well-known stories from the ancient collection. Through classical dance, theatre, humour and movement, the production explores themes of friendship, bravery, quick-wittedness, foolishness, leadership and freedom. The stories include the clever hare who outwits the lion; the monkey and the wedge; the cranes and the tortoise; the crocodile and the monkey; and the escape of the doves.Pullout BoxWhat: AIM Bengaluru International Arts FestivalWhere: Chowdiah Memorial HallWhen: Sunday, September 20; 6.30 pm
