Mahjabeen was premiered exclusively at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre on the 1st of August and was a Houseful show.
Mahjabeen is a musical performance and a narrative which takes the audience through a journey into the life of the legendary actress and poet Meena Kumari. The show brings together music, poetry and storytelling to recreate the magic which Meena weaved on screen. It features some of Meena Kumari’s iconic film songs and some of her Ghazals and Nazms which are composed by Rashmi Agarwal and were performed with live music.
This show is a rendezvous with an actress par excellence and a poet whose poetry is a teardrop in the face of time and silver screen.
ROOHDARI “Mystic Notes & Dancing Toes” is a special concert by Sufi singer Rashmi Agarwal and Kathak dancer Vidha Lal, celebrating the mystic poetry of the Sufi and Bhakti poets of medieval and modern times, who propagated one religion, one faith, and love. The philosophies of these poets are relevant and valid in this time and age as well.
Poets and spiritual saints such as Rumi, Hazrat Amir Khusro, Meerabai, Bulleh Shah, Kabir are known to characterize themselves in the feminine form as the wife, bride and beloved of almighty. Rashmi Agarwal’s soulful renditions of the immortal verses of these spiritual saints will be translated into mesmerizing dances by Kathak exponent Vidha Lal, portraying this divine communication, between the form and formless. The concert was a great spiritual and uplifting experience for the audience.
The “Z” Factor brings together and beautifully blends the Indian Ghazal gayaki with the Western Jazz music. Though both Ghazal and Jazz belong to absolutely different genres, both speak through the heart and have their essence in improvisation.
A first of its kind project, The “Z” Factor is the collaborative effort of the renowned Sufi and Ghazal singer, Rashmi Agarwal and Jazz Pianist , Alex Fernandes. Rashmi performs the traditional and contemporary Ghazals, while the Jazz music arrangement is by Alex.
THE KHUSRAU PROJECT: CHAL KHUSRAU GHAR AAPNE A project on the immensely popular hindvi poetry of Hazrat Amir Khusrau. Along with some of the traditional songs and compositions Rashmi includes some new and original compositions which adds a contemporary flavour to the whole concert experience. Hazrat Amir Khusrau’s Sufiyana poetry comes alive through Rashmi’s renditions in her inimitable style.
THE KABIR PROJECT: RAMTA JOGI Sant Kabir was a 15th-century Indian mystic poet and saint whose writings influenced Hinduism's Bhakti movement. One of the greatest philosophers he is known for being critical of both organized rituals and religions. He questioned meaningless and unethical practices of all religions primarily the wrong practices in Hindu and Muslim religion. Rashmi’s renditions of Kabir’s heart touching poetry mesmerises the audience and leaves them wanting for more.
THE BEGUM AKHTAR PROJECT: Being a disciple of Smt. Shanti Hiranand who in turn was the foremost disciple of the legendary Ghazal queen Begum Akhtar, Rashmi is taking forward the rich legacy of Begum Akhtar’s style of traditional ghazal singing. In Rashmi’s voice and ghazal gayaki you can hear the pathos, yearning and playfulness of Begum’s legacy.
THE DAAG DEHLVI PROJECT: The concert is about Daagh Dehlvi’s Life & Poetry.
Rashmi Agarwal pays tribute to the great Urdu poet Daagh Dehlvi through his ghazals and anecdotes from his life.
THE MOH MAYA MOKSHA PROJECT: This project talks about the wheel of life and the journey of soul.
In this performance Rashmi sings the selected poetry of some Bhakti and Sufi saints like Kabir, Bulleh Shah, Meera, Rumi and Amir Khusrau who philosophise the futility of Moh or greed as this world is only Maya or mirage and only your karma or good deeds will help you reach your ultimate destination and attain Moksha where you are one with God. Rashmi’s song selection and progression through the whole concert is worth a watch.
BABA BULLEH SHAH PROJECT: TERE ISHQ NACHAYA: Bulleh Shah a 17th century poet, practised the Sufi tradition of Punjabi poetry and is considered to be the representative of the bhakti and sufi movement. In this concert Rashmi is the story teller as well as the singer. She tells the story of Bulleh Shah, weaving the narrative with his songs, making the experience of the audience richer and fuller.