Durga Jasraj to chair Assocham’s culture committee

NEW DELHI - Durga Jasraj, music legend Pandit Jasraj’s daughter and an active promoter of Indian music over the years, has been appointed the chairperson of the culture committee of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), a statement said Tuesday.

The 45-year-old Durga, who was the co-chairperson of Assocham’s music industry committee earlier, will now be responsible for setting the agenda of the culture committee for the year ahead, as well as for creating and enhancing synergies with Assocham partners, both in India and abroad, the statement added.

Durga started her career as a classical vocalist when she was only seven, and went on to gain mass popularity as the host of popular TV show “Antakshari”.

In 1999, she launched Art and Artistes’ (I) Pvt. Ltd. (A&A) to conceptualise, promote and produce music-based entertainment shows and events across TV, radio, albums, live performances etc.

Following its success, she co-founded the Indian Music Academy (IMA), a non-profit initiative of Art and Artistes’. It intends to promote all forms of Indian music, provide platforms for the next generation of musicians, provide medical aid to needy musicians and their dependants, among other efforts.

Durga is also a member of the Central Board of Film Certification, under the ministry of information and broadcasting.