Monsoon melodies
C. SURESH KUMAR
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The skilful rendition of ragas by both maestros was in keeping with the mood of the season.
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PHOTOS: D. GOPALAKRISHNAN.
AN EVENING OF RAGAS Pt. Shivkumar proved their unparalleled expertise.
Monsoon is at its best in the month of Shravan and music lovers of Hyderabad celebrated the season with a shower of Hindustani music thanks to Banyan Tree who in association with BSNL and associate sponsor SBH, presented `Barkha-Ritu - Rains and Ragas', at the Viceroy Convention Centre. This is the second year in succession that Banyan Tree has presented this concept of rain and ragas.
This year's performance featured Pt. Chhannulal Mishra (vocal) from Benaras, who is the most sought after exponent of the purab ang in Indian vocals, and Pt. Shivkumar Sharma (santoor) who has become synonymous with his instrument, the santoor for his unparalleled expertise the world over.
The concert began with Pt. Chhannulal Mishra's vocal performance. He began his concert with a composition Rim jim badal in Raag Megh set to ek taal. He displayed his skill in presenting 15 types of variations in Raag Megh. He followed it by a bandish, Gharaj gharaj badal in Dhrut set to ek taal. Singing a thumri next in Misra nat raag, set to teen taal; he explained and demonstrated how the sound and rendering of the song can be modulated in four forms - khatka, girgiri, murki and pukar. He also rendered compositions in Dadra and Chaiti. Stepping away from the monsoon ragas, he presented Phagun, which is connected with the Holi festival. The festival is generally linked to lord Krishna and his gopikas, but here Mishra rendered a composition on how Kasi Bholenath (Lord Shiva) played Holi, which was the highlight of the evening's concert. His unique style of rendering and explaining the compositions was well received by the audience. Pt. Chhannulal Misra was aptly supported by Sri Lalit Kumar on the tabla, who showed his expertise in Benaras laggi, and Sri Manulal Mishra on the harmonium and Sri Omkar Ratnam on the tanpura.
Santoor's melody
The second concert of the evening was by Pt. Shivkumar Sharma on the santoor. Sharma introduced his instrument as the one, which, when played, gives the feeling of water flowing down and fields. He enthralled the audience bringing alive the monsoon ragas with his performance.
Pt. Chhannulal Misra
He began his concert with an alaap and jod in Raag Megh. He gave a new dimension to the concert by using the pakhawaj instead of the tabla as a percussion instrument to set the mood of rain, clouds and thunder while presenting this raag. This was followed by Raag Miya malhar set to jap taal where he used the tabla for accompaniment. His melodious way of presenting the raag reminded the gathering, of the gentle drops of rain and the feelings one evokes during the monsoons. He concluded the concert with a light classical Dhun in Raag Tilang in dhrut. For this composition he was accompanied by both percussion instruments tabla and pakhawaj.
Pt. Bhavanishankar Kathak on the pakhawaj displayed his skills to create the monsoon feel, and Ustad Yogesh Samsi on the tabla brought alive memories of his late guru Ustad Allah Rakha by his skilled accompaniment. It seemed that the clouds, over the city were so happy with the ragas that at the end of the concert they opened up in joy much to the delight of the homebound audience.
While the organisers need to rethink on the pricing of tickets to enable more music lovers to enjoy the concert, the Hyderabadi audience should learn to arrive on time and avoid exchanging pleasantries during the performances.
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