Dance Classes1. Kathak dancePainting Classes2. Drawing & Painting classMusic Classes3. Classical VocalsChildren workshop Classes
4. Tabla
5. Sitar
6. Bansuri (Bamboo Flute)
7. Violin
8. Guitar (Acoustic & Electric)
9. Sarangi
10. Keyboard11. Art & crafts workshop for childrenYoga Classes12. Yoga class
Internationally renowned Kathak dancer Nahid Siddiqui conducts an ongoing Kathak dance class for beginners. Registration is for one month. Basics of Kathak dance theory & practice, followed by discussions on the process and production of dance performance form the core structure of the workshop.
The class is discontinued till further notice.
About instructor: Nahid Siddiqui is one of the finest Kathak dancer and choreographer in the world. Her work has been recognized and acclaimed internationally. She has personally contributed hugely to the growth of and accessibility to Kathak through efforts like starting classes at the Bharatya Vidya Bhavan in London and introducing Kathak into the curriculum at the at the University of Surrey. Nahid's creations have been original and ground-breaking blending traditional and contemporary techniques extending Kathak's repertory and developing it as a universal vocabulary. Nahid has lived in the West Midlands for almost twenty years and has had countless students, performances for major venues, festivals and television world-wide. Her work has received numerous accolades in Britain and around the world, including Pakistan's highest artistic merit. Nahid has been conducting a regular Kathak dance class at Chitrkar since 2006.
Learning to draw or paint is learning to meditate, see and feel the world in and around us. The ongoing studio class is conducted by painter Shahid Mirza. Portraiture and figure drawing with live models, exploration of different drawing & painting media, Portrait and still-life painting with oil /acrylic or water color are the focus of study. The method of instruction is one-to-one and each session is followed by discussion on art making. The class is discontinued till further notice.
The classical vocal training is primarily voice training accomplished through time tested methods of great musicians of the subcontinent. The students will be introduced to both Khyal & Dhurpad traditions of music making with emphasis on voice culture, understanding of Taal (traditional percussion system) and execution of complex musical concepts in Rags. The class is discontinued till further notice.
About instructor: Ayesha Ali is the most senior student of the late Ustad Hafeez Khan Talwandi. The Talwandi gharana constitutes a distinct and important tradition of vocal art-music, with special emphasis on Allap and Dhurpad.
More detailed article on Talwandi gharana of Punjab, http://web.ukonline.co.uk/richard.widdess/talvandi/talvandi.ascii.nodiacritics
The Tabla class will focus on developing a student’s understanding of theory and practice of “Taals” (traditional beats system) and learning to play as a solo performer as well as for playing in accompaniment with musicians. A Tabla primer (video) in Punjabi is prepared to assist students in learning history, technique and Ustad Shaukat Hussain style of Tabla playing.
The class is discontinued till further notice.
About instructor: Wajid Ali learned Tabla from legendry Tabla player of Pakistan Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan. He started learning at a very late age of 26 years but spent 14 years with him and the lessons continued till the second last day of his teachers life. He teaches the baaj (style) of Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan and has dozens of students including the son of his teacher Raza Shaukat. Wajid Ali performs regularly both as soloist and in accompaniment with vocalist and instrumentalists. Renowned Harmonium player Mohammad Bakhsh assists him in class.
Wajid Ali: 03224600848
| Recordings | ||
| 1. Track03 - Bakshi Sahab - Wajid Ali | ||
| 2. Track04 - Bakshi Sahab - Wajid Ali | ||
| 3. Track02 - Bakshi Sahab - Wajid Ali | ||
| 4. Track01 - Bakshi Sahab - Wajid Ali | ||
| 5. Tabla Primer - Wajid Ali | ||
The Sitar class is designed for both beginners and advanced students. Instruction is individual and tailor made for each student. The class is discontinued till further notice.
About Instructor: Saleem Khan Poonchwalay belongs to the renowned Sitar Gharana led by late Ustad Sharif Khan Poonchwalay. He has been awarded many prestigious honours for his services both as an outstanding performer and a music teacher for more than 30 years. Ustad Saleem Khan performs regularly on Pakistan television and Radio and various prestigious venues. Outside Pakistan he has performed at solo concerts in India, UK, USA, central Asian states and Far East.
Ustad saleem Khan Poonchwalay: 03004116814
The Bansuri (bamboo Flute) is one of the most ancient instrument of music making. Found all over the globe the Flute truly depicts a unifying image and universal appeal. The instruction is individual and students at all stages of learning are welcome. The class is discontinued till further notice.
About instructor: Akmal Qadri, son of legendary Flute maestro late Ustad Alla Ditta Qadri is one of the few classical flute players in Pakistan. Akmal was tutored by his father from and early age and has made his mark on contemporary music scene through his spell bound performances both in Pakistan and around the world.
Akmal Qadri. 03004257591
Mohammad Hanif: 03214195297
| Recordings | ||
| 2. 05 | ||
| 3. 01 | ||
| 4. 02 | ||
| 5. 02 | ||
The ongoing class is conducted by senior Violinist Mohammad Aslam Khan. The class is aimed at teaching to read & write music and basic technique of both western & Indian classical style of Violin playing, depending on the personal preference of the student.
Mohammas Aslam Khan: 03334310928
The class is discontinued till further notice.
The ongoing once a week Guitar class (Acoustic & Electric) conducted by Foaad Nizam is designed both for beginners and advanced students. The course will equip the student with basic theory & technique of Guitar playing and the ability to read & write music using staff notation system.
Foaad Nizam. 03004536811
The class is discontinued till further notice.
Sarangi is an ancient instrument of music making. Its melodic sound is considered to be closest to human voice, the primary instrument of music making. It is played both solo and in accompaniment with vocalist & instrumentalists. The class is discontinued till further notice.
About instructor: Khawar Hussain belongs to the most ancient and renowned Punjab Gharana (family) of Sarangi players led by his uncle the legendry Nattho Khan and his father Bheero Khan. Khawar Hussain is amongst the very few Sarangi players left in Pakistan, he performs regularly both in accompaniment and as soloist.
| Recordings |
The ongoing class is conducted by senior Keyboard player Mohammad Aslam Khan. The class is aimed at teaching to read & write music and basic technique of Keyboard playing.
The class is discontinued till further notice.
About workshop
Art education for children is accepted as a necessary component of educational ventures and for the promotion of art in society. In Pakistan facilities for fine arts, music and theater are virtually absent or minimal in the formal educational institutions, media and environment of Pakistani children. Art for children is not a privilege but a necessity to help them realize their native potential as creative human beings. The average Pakistani child suffers not only from the lack of artistic exposure but also from a more destructive assault of alien and mostly meaningless cultural entertainment delivered by the electronic and print media. At Chitrkar workshop painters, musicians and theater persons led by Huma Safdar & Rabia Nadir work with children to explore painting, music and theater that draw inspiration from our local environment and heritage.
Note: The next workshop will be announced soon.
The sages of the Sub-Continent discovered that man is made up of three layers: the physical, the mental and the spiritual. In order to develop this tri-unity of body, mind and soul, the Sages introduced Yoga.
Internationally renowned Kathak dancer and Yoga practitioner Nahid Siddiqui conducts an ongoing Yoga class, the course is designed for beginners and will introduce basics of Yoga (theory & practice) and help develop an exercise regime for the participants. The class is discontinued for now.
About the instructor
Renowned Kathak dancer Nahid Siddiqui has performed world over, staging touring productions across Europe, America and Asia. It's no wonder that for several years Yoga has been a key element of her practice, allowing her to extend the boundaries not only of her own physique, but of her art, and hence her spirit. Although known primarily for being a leading exponent of Kathak, she has in fact been a practitioner and researcher of Yoga for many years, and has taught Yoga all over the world.