SD Sharma
Chandigarh, April 25
The fact that “art lives in tradition but survives through innovation and experimentation” had inspired music virtuoso Subhash Ghosh to improve tonal quality, resonance and melodic sound of his earlier invented string instruments Sarasvani and Swar-ragini. After three years of research in woodcraft prototype, finally he came out with a perfect blend of all features in his new venture ‘Nav Swar Ragini’ with eight main strings and 13 sympathetic strings which virtually sing.
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore unveiled the instrument at an impressive ceremony, organised by the UT Administration, at the Government Museum and Art Gallery in the presence of senior bureaucrats and artistes.
After philanthropist Manmohan Singh traced the musical voyage of Ghosh from a humble musician to virtuoso and now a legend in the making, the foremost disciple of Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sahib perfomed raga ‘Hansdhwani’ through a Madhya laya and drut gat, besides an entrancing jhalla which melted into a devotional ‘ Vaishnav jana to and Ramdhun on the new instrument. Punita Bawa anchored the programme.