Uploaded January 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
On 15th August 1947 as the clock struck midnight, the legendary Shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan played the first notes of a hopeful and moving raag, as one country, at the stroke of a pen, became two.
Inspired by that moment, this multimedia project and performance explored the Partition of India and its impact and legacy 70 years on: the joy of independence from British rule, the displacement of millions in the largest mass migration in human history and the sheer terror of sectarian violence in which as many as one million civilians died.
Featuring the Tar Shehnai of Kirpal Singh Panesar with Vijay Venkat on Viola, Elizabeth Hanks on Cello, Alex De Little on Sound and Visual Projections by Steve Manthorp. Musical direction by Jasdeep Singh Degun.
Produced by South Asian Arts-uk and Opera North Projects.
Conceived, artistically directed and produced by Keranjeet Kaur Virdee MBE.
Musically directed by Jasdeep Singh Degun.
South Asian Arts-uk gratefully acknowledges support from PRS for Music Foundation.
saa-uk.org
twitter @southasianartuk
On 15th August 1947 as the clock struck midnight, the legendary Shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan played the first notes of a hopeful and moving raag, as one country, at the stroke of a pen, became two.
Inspired by that moment, this multimedia project and performance explored the Partition of India and its impact and legacy 70 years on: the joy of independence from British rule, the displacement of millions in the largest mass migration in human history and the sheer terror of sectarian violence in which as many as one million civilians died.
Featuring the Tar Shehnai of Kirpal Singh Panesar with Vijay Venkat on Viola, Elizabeth Hanks on Cello, Alex De Little on Sound and Visual Projections by Steve Manthorp. Musical direction by Jasdeep Singh Degun.
Produced by South Asian Arts-uk and Opera North Projects.
Conceived, artistically directed and produced by Keranjeet Kaur Virdee MBE.
Musically directed by Jasdeep Singh Degun.
South Asian Arts-uk gratefully acknowledges support from PRS for Music Foundation.
saa-uk.org
twitter @southasianartuk
