For the first time, Dhrupad will be interspersed with Mohiniyattam. The maestro who makes this rare collaboration possible is none other than Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar who will be lending his voice and the intricate alaap to artiste Vijayalakshmi’s Rain, a choreography inspired by poet Sudeep Sen’s critically-acclaimed book of poetry with the same title. Vijayalakshmi interprets Rain as a metaphor through Mohiniyattam. For the world-renowned Dhrupad maestro Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar, who is at times very critical of the lack of Dhrupad concerts in India’s musical scene, this opportunity and collaboration would mean singing for a different audience. It will give an essential dimension to his art and Dhrupad which is considered to be the sacred parent of khayal. For this production, Vijayalakshmi has worked with Mac Quayle, an eminent American composer to bring together the traditional Kerala rhythms, Dhrupad, Rabindra Sangeet and contemporary elements.