Doordarshan organises musical tribute to martyrs

New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) An ensemble of talented musicians like ace violinist L. Subramanium, his wife and singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and Suresh Wadkar will pay tribute to martyrs here Thursday.

Doordarshan has conceptualised a programme "Smarananjali" - an effort to symbolise the nation's tribute to martyrs.

"Smarananjali", organised by Doordarshan in association with All India Radio, Directorate of Film Festivals and Subramaniam Foundation, will be held at Siri Fort auditorium here Thursday.

As 2014 marks the 50th year of the India-Pakistan war of 1965, the tribute, which is being held in the capital for the first time, would be of special significance.

"After doing 'Smarananjali' in Karnataka for the last few years, we are going to pay tribute here to people who protected us and saved our lives. We have selected compositions as a tribute," Subramanium told reporters here Wednesday.

Kavita, who has crooned hit Bollywood numbers like "Aaj main upar" and "Hum dil de chuke sanam", feels privileged to sing for the martyrs.

"We chose to be musicians because we are passionate about music. I've been singing commercially for films, but performing for service of nation is a way of returning to the society as a musician," she said.

"Smarananjali" is a specially woven tapestry of songs and dance that reflects the gravity of the sacrifice made by martyrs.

Wadkar, who has given music fanatics a range of hit film song like "Bol Radha Bol" and "Pardesi jana nahin", is happy he ahs been given an "opportunity to participate" in "Smarananjali".

The programme will be telecast subsequently on DD National, DD Bharati and DD India.