Colloquium Lecture by Padma Shree awardee Sh. Shekhar Sen at Panjab University

Chandigarh, October 21, 2016: Reputed singer, music composer, lyricist, actor and Padma Shri awardee and Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Academy Sh. Shekhar Sen today delivered the PU Colloquium at the (Dr.SSB UICET) Auditorium at Panjab University. PU Vice Chancellor Prof Arun Kumar Grover presided over the colloquium.
Sh. Sen spoke about his inspiring journey in the lecture titled ‘Meri Kalayatra’ and enthralled the audiences with spirited performances which were beautifully interspersed in the lecture. The multi talented artist began by motivating the audiences to explore the talent that lies within them. Recollecting the early days of his career Sh.Sen told that having moved to Bombay in 1979, the film projects that he initially began with had to be shelved and he then started singing shabds at gurudwaras in Bombay. A strong critique of his own voice Sh. Sen shared that although he rejected his own voice as a singer but had to take to singing as a matter of survival. While recollecting the fond memories from early years of his career Sh. Sen said, “Failures are far more important for any individual than successes, as it is the failures that shape the future.”
Sh. Sen also shared with the audiences the inspiration behind his first musical mono act ‘Tulsidas’. “While attending the International Ramayan Conference, I also attended the release of Chinese and Portuguese translations of Ramcharit Manas” shared Sh. Sen, “I wondered how many people in our own country would know about Tulsidas and that is where the idea of first monoact musical play came.” Sh. Sen also went on to share the memory of his meeting with noted playwright and former editor of Dharmayug Sh.Dharamvir Bharti who inspired him to act and direct the play himself and hence began the journey of his mono act musical play. Sh. Sen spoke about his days of struggle where he had to put all at stake to keep his passion for theatre alive while bringing out his second play ‘Kabir’.
Stressing on the importance of practice he revealed that even after having performed more than 2700 shows he still feels stage fright and believes that it is his ‘riyaaz’ that keeps him grounded at all moments. Addressing the students he said, “Each one of us needs to know their ‘Dhaatu’ or metal, and need to further polish it to shine and succeed” Sh. Sen also delivered enthralling performances from his play ‘Kabir’ and left the audience spell bound.
Closing the colloquium with an interactive session, Sh. Sen made a soulful observation drawing a connect between world peace and the power of art and culture. She Sen said, “Countries which have strangulated their art and culture are today on the path to doom,
so each one of us has to today realize the power and potential of art and culture and preserve it.” The session ended with a standing ovation to the multi talented artist.