17.10.14

HaLoH completes five years on Vijaya Dashami 2014

Harmonica Lovers of Hyderabad (HaLoH) assembled at Ananda Nilayam (Sri Kantha Rao's residence)  which was the place where HaLoH was formed five years ago on the same auspicious day of Vijaya Dashami.
Harmonica Lovers in Hyderabad have been growing day by day with more people getting associated during weekly meetings all round the year.
We breathe harmonica!


12.10.14

INDIAN MOUTHORGAN PLAYERS’ MEET 2014, HARIDWAR



INDIAN MOUTHORGAN PLAYERS’ MEET 2014
was hosted by Himalayan Nritya Kala Sangeet Academy at Haridwar on the 13 th and 14th of  September 2014


Venue: Hotel The Great Ananda, Haridwar-Rishikesh Highway, Haridwar, INDIA


The purpose of the Meet is to facilitate interaction and learning between the Indian Harmonica/Mouth Organ Players from all parts of India and abroad and enjoy each other’s performances. This is third National Level Harmonica Players’ Meet  after Kolkata and Delhi.  Harmonica lovers of 15 states from all over India also from USA and Dubai had gathered at Haridwar to attend this meet. The purpose of this festival was to interact with harmonica lovers from all over India, to exchange information about music and harmonica with each other and discuss about promoting harmonica amongst the people in India. the harmonica lovers have been exchanging information in various online groups and forums. There is an online group titled – ‘Indian Mouthorgan Players (IMP)’ in Facebook where Indian Mouthorgan Players discuss about Harmonica with each other. Most of the participants in this festival who usually access the internet are a member of this online group.



The meet was organised as per the following itinerary:


Day 1 - Saturday, 13th September 2014


Registration of members.


Inauguration of IMP Meet 2014


Introduction of the host Shri Gopal Sharma and Himalayan Nritya Kala Sangeet Academy, Haridwar


Lighting of the lamp


Brief speeches by some senior harmonica players and representatives of various harmonica associations followed with Self introduction of delegates.

Shri Bhaskar Chowdhury, Kolkata


Shri Vinayak, Hyderabad


Shri Ajay Vijh, Singrouli


Dr Raghavan Iyengar, Indore


Shri Niranjan Gulwady, Pune


Shri Suhas Mitra, Kolkata


Shri Madhur Bhatia, Agra


Dr Shailendra Kumar, Muzaffarpur
Shri Rahul Joshi, Pune
Shri Sanjay Dattam Bangalore


Educational session on Hindustani Classical by Dr Doordarshi Singh:
This includes brief introduction to Hindustani Classical form of music, Bhatkhande notation reading.


Educational session on the scope of Diatonic Harmonica in Indian setting by Mr B.B. Hagjer - The session inclusive of basic knowledge of diatonic harmonica and practical session on bending notes to play bollywood music.
Question and answer session on Harmonica maintenance and repair. Queries answered by Shri Shri S.G. Helkar
Day 2- Sunday, 14th September 2014

Exhibition of different varieties of Harmonicas and original LPs/Cassetes of eminent harmonicists.
Ghazal sung by special guest Shri S.K. Rohilla and performances by Himalayan Nritya Kala Sangeet Academy members
Group discussion/ question and answer session on Harmonica and Music. Queries were answered by various harmonica players who present at the event.


Tips on home recording by Dr Nakul Dhagat, Bhopal


followed with Performance of delegates along with orchestra.

Memento for IMP Meet 2014 delegates:

Mr Yogesh Tamta from Lucknow presented a beautiful memento to all the delegates who attended this Meet.


We convey sincere thanks to Mr Gopal Sharma and his family who had taken special initiative to make this meet successful.

The event was a grand success and the delegates had a real learning experience with fun. The interactive and educative sessions on harmonica techniques, music theory, harmonica maintenance & repair, harmonica recording at home were quite helpful for the delegates. All the delegates also had the opportunity to perform and enjoy each others’ renditions during their free time.


HaLoH congratulates all the harmonica lovers who attended this festival


Jai Harmonica!


Photo Credits : Mr Rajesh Goswami-Agra, Mr Sanket Nayak-Mumbai