The Hindu : Karnataka News : ‘Alvas Virasat’ gets more vibrant on second day

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Saturday, Jan 05, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

‘Alvas Virasat’ gets more vibrant on second day

Govind D. Belgaumkar

It was a fusion of music and dance of south and north

Rajasthani and Manipuri artistes impress
the audience
Folk music alongside the Mohana veena
enthrals the people

MOODBIDRI: Apprehensions on the ability of folk artistes’ were cleared here on Thursday.

Performing shoulder-to-shoulder with Grammy Award-winner Vishwamohan Bhat (Mohana veena exponent), the five folk artistes from Rajasthan, set all doubts to rest at the “Alva’s Virasat”.

Mr. Bhat and his son Saleel Bhat displayed a rare sense of accommodative spirit and allowed the folk artistes give their best. Manipuri dance number by Jagoi Marup group, coupled with the State’s own martial art, proved the point beyond doubt.

A 5,000-strong audience, mostly youth, was a witness to it. The dances were performed in an open make-shift theatre, atop a hill. It added to the aesthetic appeal of the “jubalbandi”.

Sarangi recital

The first sound of sarangi, produced by Ghewar Khan Khamacha, which was preceded by an introductory tune by Mr. Bhat and his son, impressed the audience.

When vocalists in the Rajastani troupe, Anwar Khan and Barkhan Khan, joined in with “Saavan aayo, maaro piya ghar naave…” it had a mesmerising effect on the audience. Gazi Khan Barna’s Khartal, an instrument made of two wooden planks, and Feroze Khan’s dholak, a percussion instrument, on the one side and Ramkumar Mishra’s “tabla” on the other, complemented one another in perfect harmony.

This was followed by “Kesariya balo morey balama” with a blend of folk music and Mohana veena.

Then came the “hitchki”, a popular Rajastani tune which means “hiccups”. The “Hitchki aave…” in Keeravani raga, expressed the “viraha bhaava”, the pain of the among the separated lovers.

Mr. Gazi Khan said this was his maiden performance in the south and fifth with Mr. Bhat. “It was extremely exciting for us,” he said.

The Jagoi Marup Manipuri dance troupe avowed the audience when the team members bent their bodies to 45 degree angle to earth and landing on one leg at one go, even as they kept pace with the background music. A couple of them simultaneously played the drum while being in the air. The “chau” dance and the costume of the team impressed everyone. But their initial dance of “Laya Haroba” was disappointing.

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