Noted music critic Shri S. Kalidas introducing his documentary film “Hai Akhtari…” (1994) to the audiences at University of Hyderabad

Vidushi Shanti Hiranand answered questions about her guru’s life following the film screening and regaled audiences with several anecdotes

Prof. R. P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad formally inaugurated the festival in the presence of Vidushi Shanti Hiranand

Smt. Shubha Joshi opened the performances at the festival with a varied selection of thumri-dadra and ghazal renditions

Having learnt the khayal gayaki of the Bhendi Bazar gharana, the thumri-dadra renditions of Smt. Shubha Joshi were deeply classical, though inspired in large part by the gayaki of her guru Smt. Shobha Gurtu

The raga-based ghazal compositions of Smt. Shubha Joshi’s guru Ustad Taj Ahmed Khan were greatly appreciated by the audiences

Senior music connoisseur and patron Shri Mohan Hemmadi felicitated Ustad Mohammed Ahmed Warsi Nasiri Qawwal & Group

Ustad Mohammed Ahmed Warsi Nasiri Qawwal is among the rare breed of qawwali performers who are associated almost exclusively with Sufi shrines

Ustad Mohammed Ahmed Warsi Nasiri Qawwal & Group chose an eclectic selection of the ghazals of Jigar Moradabadi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz & Shakeel Badayuni to remain closely connected to the legacy of Begum Akhtar

The unique style of Ustad Mohammed Ahmed Warsi Nasiri Qawwal & Group appealed to the audiences who kept asking for more

Dr. Mohammed Zahidul Haque, Ms. Aamna Seher & Shri Masroor Haideri presented a poetry reading session featuring selected ghazals of Jigar Moradabadi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz & Shakeel Badayuni

Ms. Veena Joshi, Joint Secretary, IGNCA and Shri S. Kalidas enjoyed the contextualization of ghazals of the poets provided by Dr. Mohammed Zahidul Haque

Ms. Aamna Seher & Shri Masroor Haideri were trained well by Dr. Mohammed Zahidul Haque in the art of poetry recitation and received encouragement from the audiences

Ms. Veena Joshi, Joint Secretary, IGNCA felicitated the participants of the poetry reading session

Shri Sudeep Bannerji, senior disciple of Vidushi Shanti Hiranand, opened the evening session on the second day with a moving ghazal recital

Ms. Veena Joshi, Joint Secretary, IGNCA spoke about the importance of the Begum Akhtar Centenary Commemoration Project to perpetuate the legacy of Begum Akhtar

The finale performance of the festival featured Vidushi Shanti Hiranand accompanied by Ustad Ghulam Sabir Khan (Sarangi), Janab Nawab Ali (Tabla) & Janab Salamat Ali (Harmonium)

As the senior-most disciple of Begum Akhtar, Vidushi Shanti Hiranand imbibed her guru’s style and regaled the audiences with ghazals, accompanied by anecdotes about their composition and memories connected with Hyderabad

Janab Nawab Ali provided able accompaniment to Shri Sudeep Bannerji as well as Vidushi Shanti Hiranand

A group photograph featuring the Begum Akhtar Centenary Project team members, artists who participated in the festival as well as student volunteers of the University of Hyderabad