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The shehnai effect

FILIAL FLOW Sanjeev and Ashwini Shankar in performance

Theshehnai, an instrument that was once played in temples during festivals, has travelled a long way from sounding auspicious notes at weddings to becoming an important instrument of classical Hindustani music. Yet, as rock music and other popular forms draw larger audiences, it seems to be taking a back seat.

Many maestros are however trying to maintain the tradition of shehnai playing. The stalwart Ustad Bismillah Khan, who raised the instrument to its pre-eminent position on the classical stage and whose name was synonymous with the shehnai, is no more. But it is heartening to know that there are youngsters in the field too, who are keeping up the tradition with dedication. Two such are the brothers Sanjeev and Ashwani Shankar, sons of the acclaimed shehnai exponent Pandit Daya Shankar.

The brothers belong to the Banaras gharana, where shehnai and flute playing is a tradition of 450 years. From stage performances to music festivals, their performances have touched heartsand received appreciation.

Trained by a legend

For four years, they were under the formal guidance of the legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and had the opportunity to tour with him to U.S. for the Festival of India in the autumn of 2005 and in spring 2006.

Asked about the use of shehnai in films, they comment that the shehnai is not being used outside stereotyped scenes like a death or the bidai of a bride. It needs to be used with some variation, they feel.

In 2003, Sanjeev played the shehnai for the film Letters of Rishikesh, which was produced for the national television of Israel.

"The shehnai culture is spread all over India but does not get its due recognition. It needs to be spread among the masses," sums up Sanjeev. The brother duo will be coming out with an album, as yet untitled, which will be aired soon.

SHWETA JAIN

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