Hydourite Press Meet at Green Park, Hyderabad

Hydourite is now “Hyderabad Arts Festival”
Changed its identity and is coming up with season 4 of the festival in new avatar— “Hyderabad Arts Festival” with a bang
Scripts plans to involve more people and expand to more cities across

Hyderabad, April 06, 2016…..Hydourite Festival changes its name, becomes “Hyderabad Arts Festival” (HAF) for broader appeal disclosed Ramakrishna Achanta, Manoj CS and CaptAnand, the Founder Trustees of the “Hydourite Foundation” that has conceptualized this initiative to celebrate the spirit of Hyderabad since 2012.

Addressing a curtain raiser press conference here in city today, the trio(three friends, A.V. Ramakrishna from Hyderabad, C.S. Manoj from Kerala and Capt. Anand from Chennai, who made Hyderabad their home), whose love for city gave birth to the festival said, the date of the beginning of “Hyderabad Arts Festival’ is permanent now. The festival begins on the Second Saturday of April every year and goes on for three months, they informed.

Beginning on 9th April this year, with “Sounds of the Desert” —The Manganiar Magic of Music and dance, to be held at Shilparamam in Madhapur, it will end with an evening of souful ghazals of the great maestro Pankaj Udhas on 25th June 2016, to be held at PEBL city.

The new dimension of the festival from this season is its broader appeal and more of a Hyderabad Connect. The festival aims at involving people than having them only as audience. So this year onwards, apart from the cultural events, HAF also has two interesting concepts to involve people. The first is a set of activities for kids. Throughout the HAF Season 4, every week there will be a activity for kids – dining etiquettes, kids yoga, aquascaping, origami, money management, etc., all conducted by respective subject experts. Like all HAF events, these activities will also be free for the kids. Little Sparks Global has come forward to conduct these activities for HAF.

The second concept to involve people is a Photo Competition and Exhibition. Any Hyderabadi, amateur or professional, can participate and send photos on the theme “My Hyderabad”. The top 100 selected entries will be displayed at an exhibition at Prasads and top three entries will be given prizes. Neosun Photography will be doing this for HAF.

Yet another new dimension in this Season of HAF is the bringing in an international performance. HAF believes that exposure to different cultures is important in the globally connected world of today. HAF in association with Alliance Française of Hyderabad is presenting a French production “La ForetEbouriffee” on 4th June 2016, with French artists performing Dance and Theatre with Multimedia.

Also this season of HAF will have a “Merchandise” of products and gift items, with the branding of “Hyderabad Arts Festival”, which will help people carry the memories of the festival beyond the festival period. Magnus Cadeauxis roped in to be the gifting partner for the Hyderabad Arts Festival. Some of the merchandised products include: T-Shirt, Mug, Pen Stand, Stationery Kit, flask, key chain, etc.

The first program on 09th April 2016,“Sounds of the Desert –The Manganiar Magic of Music and Dance”is unique in many ways. The Manganiyars’ classical folk music brings alive the earthy tunes of the deserts. It will be a magic come alive when Kheta Khan’s mesmerizing Khartalmeetsthedholak and rustic vocals to present a treat to the soul, while the colourful folk dancers add life to the music. Surely an event that will stay etched in the memory forever. No wonder why the program is chosen well to kick start the festival under the new name.

The vast unending expanse of burning hot sand that makes up the Thar Desert of Rajasthan hosts one of the most vibrant and evocative music cultures of the world. The heady, hypnotic combination of rhythm and melodies sung and played by the Manganiars are part of the eternal appeal of this mysterious and wondrous land.

As in the past, all the programs of HAF are non ticketed. Those who wish to attend the same may book their tickets free of cost on www.hyderabadartsfestival.comor phone: 040 - 64646262 or 66335533.

HAF is a part of the Happening Hyderabad initiative of the Telangana government and has support from the Government of Telangana and many other organizations.More than 25 companies are associated with HAF this year to make this a successful season and take HAF to greater heights.

To enhance the social capital of the city we need more events, which state government has been taking up under its Happening Hyderabad initiative. Hyderabad Arts Festival is one such festival which will contribute for the social capital of the city which according to Minister K.T. Rama Rao who said on several occasions earlier that it is the need of the hour.

Hyderabad is a city of Rich Cultural Heritage. It is a four hundred plus years old City. It is the city of newabs and kebabs, Biryani and Sherwani, Pearls and Paigahs, Minarets and Modern Buildings. It is the city of cultural co-existance of Hindus, Muslims and several other religions. It is the city which played host to many distinguished personalities like Bill Clinton, Queen Elizabeth, Bill Gates, George Bush, Kofi Annan and many more. If Hyderabad has to be projected as the Global City, it must be a culturally active city. After the full day hard work people need to go to places to unwind themselves, so as to start their business journey afresh, the next day morning. HAF wants to contribute to this aspect by organizing good stream of activities year after year, the trio claimed.

The other activities lined up for the Hyderabad Arts Festival Season 4 are as follows:

Rakesh And Friends (RAF)–16th April 2016
RakeshChaurasia and Friends blend Indian Classical Music with Global Music
RakeshChaurasia teams up with Gino Banks, SatyajeetTalwalkar, Sheldon D’Silva, Sanjoy Das and SangeetHaldipur, to effectively blend Indian Classical and Global Music to create musical sound seldom heard. Rakesh, nephew and disciple of Flute Maestro PanditHariprasadChaurasia, has undoubtedly made his mark as one of the finest young Flute Virtuoso.

Sabri Brothers – 23rd April 2016
Amusical evening of captivating Sufi and Qawwali
The Sabri Brothers are known worldwide for their powerful, full throatedQawwali that has enchanting nuances, beauty and alchemy of poetry. While the Sufi poetry takes you into a trance, the Qawwali will send your pulse racing. A mystical and magical event indeed.

Lagori Band – 30th April 2016
Folk Rock Fusion Music
Lagori is a band that is fascinated by the rich diversity of culture that exists in India. Lagori makes music that reflects the face of the modern Indian youth, by combining Indian classical melodies and inflections with Rock music, resulting in an interesting mix that is high on energy, while being catchy and soulful at the same time.

VikkuVinayakram’sSaptakshara– 07th May 2016
Mélange of South Indian Classical Percussion
The magic of South Indian Classical Percussion springs to life with Saptakshara, drawing its name from the number seven, denoting the seven-syllable system used in the Carnatic Style. Witness live the genius Padma BhushanVikkuVinayakram on ChaturGhatam, as he is joined by the talented Selvaganesh, N Ramakrishnan, A Ganesan and S Swaminathan. As the percussions play, feel the beat of life.

Rani Rudramma&Tandavam– 14th May 2016
A Kuchipudidance feature by Shambhavi Dance Ensemble
Rani Rudramma Devi was one of the most prominent woman rulers of the Kakatiya dynasty. Throughout her life, she continued to be an epitome of beauty and strength. Rani Rudramma Devi’s life teaches us to be passionate about pursuing our interests and becoming capable leaders. This dancefeature by PrateekshaKashisalutes the spirit of Rani Rudramma Devi.

Photo Expo – 21st May 2016
A photography competition and exhibition with the theme of ‘My Hyderabad’
The competition will be open for both amateurs and professionals. Photographers can shoot photographs depicting any aspect of Hyderabad. Shortlisted entries will be displayed in a photo exhibition and the top 3 winners will be awarded prizes.

Ghatam Dr. S. Karthick - Heartbeat Fusion - 28th May 2016
A unique mélange of percussions and rhythm
Witness the magical musicians blending traditional and modern instruments – an ethereal experience for sure. Led by Dr. S. Karthick on Ghatam, these musicians from his “Heartbeat" Ensemble, will take you into the fold of their rhythm and beats, and take you on a musical journey that you will cherish forever.

La ForetEbouriffee–04th June 2016
French artists performing Dance and Theatre with Multimedia- In Association with Alliance Française of Hyderabad
This is choreographer brothers’ Christian & François Ben Aim first piece created specially for children. The story revolves around a little boy who flees from the hostile daily life, and takes refuge in a forest. The scenography and video projections take the audience on a poetic journey between virtual images and bodies in motion, immersing them into a world that is as moving as it is extraordinary.

HAF Smiles – 11th June 2016
A fun filled carnival exclusively for the underprivileged kids
As part of its commitment to spread the festive spirit throughout Hyderabad, Hyderabad Arts Festival will conduct a fun filled carnival exclusively for the underprivileged kids.

Agam Band - Contemporary Carnatic Rock –18th June 2016
Experience what East meets West truly means
AGAM is a multiple award winning contemporary carnatic rock act. Their music combines the myriad hues of melodic scales and intricate rhythm structures offered by carnatic music with the aesthetic principles and tonal elegance from western world.

PankajUdhasGhazals–25th June 2016
An evening of Soulful Ghazals with the great maestro
Pankaj Udhas, the name itself sounds so sweet and reminds of a voice that is as sweet as honey. Pankaj Udhas deserves credit for making Ghazals popular at a time when it was losing foothold over the masses. His mesmerizing ghazals have captured the hearts of ghazal lovers all over the world. Presenting a melodious evening of the choicest ghazals of this great maestro.