Anjan Chattopadhyay at Camp Vatsayan, Varanasi

Saturday, February 10 2007 @ 09:47 AM EST

Varanasi, India..- Different Strokes, a cultural based organizations, spearheaded by Sankarlal Bhattacharjee , a wellk nown journalist and author of India initiated a camp held on the banks of the legendary Ganga River from 4th February to 7th February. Varanasi is the holiest of cities of the Hindu faith. Millions of Hindus go throughout the year to purify themselves at the Ganges river. A place of thousands old years history, music, and culture.

The camp, named Camp Vatsayan, was a 4 day event to discuss the life and philosophies of Vatsayan. Vatsayan was the author of the world famous book, the Kamasutra. People are aware of the Kamasutra as a book of sexual pleasure, but rarely are aware of the mystical and philosophical foundations of the Kamasutra. Saankarlal Bhattacharya, is an expert on Vatsayan and arranged this camp so that people may be aware of Vatsayan's comtributions to the world.

Held on the banks of the Ganges river after sunset, the camp included painters and musicians from all over India. The first day's camp concluded with a grand musical treat from famed Rabindra Sangeet (Songs of Nobel Leuratte, Rabindranath Tagore) singer, Indrani Bhattacharjee. She sang different songs while master painters, rendered wonderful and beautiful paintings as they were being inspired by her songs.

The second part of the concert featured, famed sitarist, Anjan Chattopadhyay, who is an internationally recognized sitarist. He played 2 compositions of sitar which converyed the mood of the camp. Anjan's pieces moved many of the audiences. Benaras is the place where Indian music started to evolve and some even say where Indian music originated. Anjan's sitar perfectly fit with the feeling and mood of this wonderfully historic city and Camp Vatsayan. He was accompanied on the Tabla by U.S.A. based, Enayet Hossain who was in India at the time. His support and perfect accompaniment made the concert even more enjoyable.

The second night featured, Anjan Chattopadhyay and Enayet Hossain again, but this time on a large boat which was parked in the middle of the Ganges river. It started with a lecture by Saankarlal Bhattacharya who explained why the Ganges river was so significant in Indian history and how Vatsayan was inspired to write the Kamasutra.

Vatsayan's life reflects many a unknown people's life who left a great collection of work and yet was not known. Vatsayan's Kamasutra is perhaps one of the most well known book in the world today, yet few people know his name. Anjan played his sitar in the middle of the Ganges, light dimmed only the banks of the Ganges river visible and the beautiful stars over head. His selection of Indian Ragas (melodies) had a profound effect on the audience, which was limited this time. Yet everyone was left with a feeling of romanticism and wonder as they were hearing such heavenly music, while the currents of the mighty Ganges river flowed by below them.

The event ended with many people finally understanding Vatsayan's contributions to the world, and enjoying the wonderfull music, philosophy and mysticism of India. Sankarlal hopes to bring this camp throughout the world in the coming years.

Photo: Anjan Chattopadhyay and Enayet Hossain.

World Music Central
http://worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20070210002914953