14th and 15th August this year were two blissful days in my life.. Got an opportunity to attend a music festival Raag-Rang, organised under the banner of Shudh Kalyan at Kochi. I have attended quite a few concerts and music fests in Mumbai. But the Raag-Rang was very special and different; organised in a city where Carnatic music rules in the classical variety; concerts in late morning through the noon to early afternoon; all artists are young and not big names; organised by my good friend Shri Uday Shenoy, who is an ardent hindustani music lover. It was different and special in many ways.
The Facebook posts that Uday was posting, built up the interest towards the concerts. He even published the Samay-Chakra of raags and asked potential attendees on what raags they would like to hear. Hindustani music being fairly strict in following the Samay-Chakra, I thought this is an opportunity for me to listen live some of my favourite raags such as Bhimplasi, Saarangs [Shudh, Gaud and Brindavani], Bhairavi, Alahiya Bilawal, and some of the lesser heard raags such as Ramkali, Multani and Jaunpuri. Foremost, wanted to be part of the Shudh-Kalyan initiative, and enjoy the music. I was sure that Uday must have done his homework well in selection of artists, selection of venue [for the right ambience] and overall organisation of the fest.
The fest opened with young Dr. Shashank Maktedar, disciple of Pt Ulhas Khashalkar. I have heard couple of concerts by Pt Ulhasji live. Panditji's influence was visible in Shashank's rendering, but with his own individuality. Shashank presented raags Ramkali, Hindol Bahar, Alhaiya Bilawal and Basant Mukhari. Raag Ramkali always reminds me the compositions performed in Sikh Gurudwaras, majority of them being in raag Ramkali. Thoroughly enjoyed everything that Shahank presented. To me what stood out was rendition of Hindol Bahar. It was awesome. Dr. Ravindra Katoti's harmonium accompaniment was subtle but exceptional. Well controlled tabla support by Dr. Udayraj Karpur created the right vibrations. I had experiences of listening to excellent vocal artists, where accompanying artist's eagerness to overpower the main artist spoils the 'music' of the concert. Here in Raag-Rang, both the accompanying artists were mature, controlled and accompanied the main artists, focussing on sense of 'music'. Overall, the right musical vibrations were set by the first concert.
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| Invite Flier |
The Facebook posts that Uday was posting, built up the interest towards the concerts. He even published the Samay-Chakra of raags and asked potential attendees on what raags they would like to hear. Hindustani music being fairly strict in following the Samay-Chakra, I thought this is an opportunity for me to listen live some of my favourite raags such as Bhimplasi, Saarangs [Shudh, Gaud and Brindavani], Bhairavi, Alahiya Bilawal, and some of the lesser heard raags such as Ramkali, Multani and Jaunpuri. Foremost, wanted to be part of the Shudh-Kalyan initiative, and enjoy the music. I was sure that Uday must have done his homework well in selection of artists, selection of venue [for the right ambience] and overall organisation of the fest.
The fest opened with young Dr. Shashank Maktedar, disciple of Pt Ulhas Khashalkar. I have heard couple of concerts by Pt Ulhasji live. Panditji's influence was visible in Shashank's rendering, but with his own individuality. Shashank presented raags Ramkali, Hindol Bahar, Alhaiya Bilawal and Basant Mukhari. Raag Ramkali always reminds me the compositions performed in Sikh Gurudwaras, majority of them being in raag Ramkali. Thoroughly enjoyed everything that Shahank presented. To me what stood out was rendition of Hindol Bahar. It was awesome. Dr. Ravindra Katoti's harmonium accompaniment was subtle but exceptional. Well controlled tabla support by Dr. Udayraj Karpur created the right vibrations. I had experiences of listening to excellent vocal artists, where accompanying artist's eagerness to overpower the main artist spoils the 'music' of the concert. Here in Raag-Rang, both the accompanying artists were mature, controlled and accompanied the main artists, focussing on sense of 'music'. Overall, the right musical vibrations were set by the first concert.
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| Dr. Shashank Maktedar, Dr. Ravindra Katoti on Harmonium and Dr. Udayrak Karpur on Tabla |
It was close to noon when the concert was over. Yummy bonda, pazham-pori (banana fry) made in typical kerala-konkani style, and tea with right sweetness, filled the stomach right, so that we are set for another musical treat.
The next performance was by Smt Anuradha Kuber, disciple of Pt TD Janorikar and Dr. Arvind Thatte. She is an exponent in Bhendi Bazar Gharana. Listening to female voice after a concert by male artist provided a contrast, that made the concert sweeter. It was the Saarang time. Saarang means 'spotted deer', one of the most beautiful animals in nature. Saarangs are very close to my heart as I lived in IIT Madras campus for 15 years; the campus is full of Saarang deers. Anuradha Kuber presented both Shudh Saarang and Gaud Saarang, that took me to the zig-zag movements and jumping of spotted deers, that we use to enjoy every day. Usage of both (Shudh and Tivr) Madhyams is one of the aspect that make the raag very melodious. Both were superbly presented. A short & sweet composition in Multani did create a 'restless' feeling. The swar-jati she rendered stands out. The composition on 'holi' she sang in Hori, painted the picture of Krishna playing rang-holi with gopikas. The climax was superb with a tarana in Bhairavi. I have heard Bhairavi in evening concerts many times. But listening Bhairavi in the right prahar, does make a difference. Again, the matching accompaniments by Drs Katoti and Karpur were exceptional.
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| Smt. Anuradha Kuber, Dr. Ravindra Katoti on Harmonium and Dr. Udayrak Karpur on Tabla |
True to the Indian hospitality tradition, all attendees were served with a delicious lunch, which was a surprise to all of us. Uday was mentioning it as simple lunch. Uday, it is not the number of items that matter, but the thought behind it.
The second day started with a vocal recital by Shri Mukul Kulkarni, disciple of Pt Arun Khashalkar and Pt Sharad Sathe. Mukul sings in Agra-Gwalior Gharana style. I could feel the influence of Pt Arun Khashalkar's style of rendering in Mukul's presentation. Mukul chose to start the performance with Miya ki Todi, with a traditional bandish. Though Miya ki Todi is considered to be a raaga that sets a pensive mournful mood, but Mukul's rendering set a positive vibrant mood that characterises festivity. I was generally considering Agra gharana singing to be a bit dry; but Mukul's rendition is forcing me to make amends to my original considerations. Mukul followed bibhas with a composition in raag Pancham. I think, this is the first time I was hearing raag Pancham. A Tukaram abhang that Mukul presented was awesome. Was very happy to see a maestro in the making.
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| Mukul Kulkarni, Dr. Ravindra Katoti on Harmonium, Dr. Udayraj Karpur on Tabla and Swetha Bhakta on Tanpura |
As with the previous concerts, Dr. Ravindra Katoti's harmonium and Dr. Udayraj Karpur's tabla gave the right support to Mukul's vocal rendering. Hot tea with udad and dal vadas set a cheerful mood for all attendees.
The finale was violin concert by Shri Kailas Patra, disciple of Pt SR Kulkarni, Pt LK Pandit and Pt DK Datar. It was a very different kind of performance. Previously I have heard violin hindustani recitals of Dr. TN Rajam and Shri MS Gopalakrishnan, during Madras Music Festivals. Shri Patra's performance was of a very different genre. His control over the instrument was impeccable. Shri Patra presented Gaud Saarang and Barwa. The zig-zag melodic movements of Gaud Saarang were beautifully brought out by Patraji. His singing the lyrics of the compositions helped the audience to enjoy the rendition better. The high-vibrancy performance of Patraji was fitting finale for Raag-Rang. Unable to pin-point a highlight in the performance, as from beginning to the end, all stood out. It was very thoughtful by Uday to keep this violin performance at the end, as not only it gave a sense of climax for the fest, but other concerts would have got subdued. It was heartening to see Patraji praising Dr Udayraj Karpur for excellent tabla accompaniment. This doesn't happen often.
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| Shri Kailas Patra on Violin, Dr. Udayraj Karpur on Tabla and Swetha Bhakta on Tanpura |
As on previous day, after a simple but delicious lunch, we all went back with lovely memories of exceptional quality hindustani music. The independence day was well spent, fully getting submerged in our cultural heritage, that too in a right ambience of Kerala Kathakali Centre at Fort Kochi.
No words to express the joy and delight that I went through in these two days, while listening to the concerts. Felt very happy that the future of Indian Classical Music is very bright, after seeing the performances by younger generation.
Finally a BIG Thank You to Uday, who single handedly went ahead with organising Raag-Rang, and made it a big success. Also "Thank you" to all those who have worked hard with Uday to make Raag-Rang a reality and success. The success of a classical music performance is not based on the size of the audience, but the quality of the audience.
Did I miss anything? Yes, I missed raag Bhimplasi, a raag in the right prahars of the concerts in Raag-Rang. I did expect to hear Bhimplasi. Have not heard this raag so far in a live music concert..
Yes, those 2 days were blissful days.. Fully immersed in music.. Never thought I will be part of such a musical treat in Kochi.. The first ever hindustani music concert I happened to attend was in Kochi, which was by Smt. Lakshmi Shankar, way back in late 1960s. I don't want to make the circle complete now. Want to be part of many more Raag-Rangs in Kochi.
Will cherish the memories of the two blissful days...
