Classical connect

Sheetal

On Friday, light showers in tricity complemented the classical music programme Varsha Ritu Sangeet Sandhya, held at the Strawberry Fields High School, Sector 26. As vocalist Meeta Pandit and tabla maestro Ram Kumar Mishra shared the stage for a performance, they recalled their teen years when they had started learning music around the same time. Meeta said, “We first shared the stage together in Ajmer as many as 35 years ago. We both come from music families and it’s interesting because our grandfathers also have performed together.”

The musical evening was organised by Indian National Theatre in collaboration with Durga Das Foundation to celebrate the arrival of rain with joy. It also paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Navjeevan Khosla, patron of the Indian National Theatre, on his birth anniversary.

For the unversed, Ram Kumar hails from the Benaras Gharana and is continuing the family legacy of Na Dhin Dhin Na on tabla. He is the grandson of tabla wizard, late Pandit Anokhe Lal Mishra ji. On the other hand, Meeta belongs to the Gwalior Gharana, the sixth member of an unbroken lineage, and the first woman in her family to adopt music professionally. She is the granddaughter of Pandit Krishnarao Shankar Pandit, Padma Bhushan, a pioneer of Hindustani classical music in North India during the 20th century.

For the opening performance, young Hindustani classical singer, Avinash Kumar, started his vocal rendition with the Raga Megh. The Malhaar Ang was beautifully presented in the vibrant composition. He delightfully sang the drut teen taal composition Ghan Ghanan Ghanan Ghan Ghor. His fast tempo was highly appreciated by the audience. He ended with two traditional compositions in Raga Desh, another monsoon raga. First one was Megha Re in teen taal and then Beeti Jaat Barkha Ritu in drut ektaal. His alaapchaari, raag daari and taiyaari was commendable.

Meeta Pandit started with her recital with a traditional composition Rag Surdasi Malhar, Garjat Aaye Re Badarwa, followed by Badrwa Barsan Ko Aaye and Bundniya Barsay Gayan Ko, which was also highly appreciated. She continued her recital with another beautiful composition, set to teen taal in Raga Gaud Malhaar, Sanyain Maura Re, followed by Jhuk Aaye Badariya Sawan Ki. She concluded her recital with a Kajri.

During the programme, Ram Kumar Mishra complemented Meeta Pandit and Avinash Kumar really well, much to the delight of the audience. Tarun Joshi was on the harmonium.

When in Chandigarh

Meeta shared how she spends the morning in Chandigarh with a walk at the Sukhna Lake, and later she loves to eat aloo ka parantha with ghar ka makhan. “Nothing beats the feeling of eating a parantha in Punjab,” she says.

Ram Kumar Mishra added, “I am personally a fan of Sukhdev Dhaba near Murthal. It’s a must-visit during my trip to Chandigarh. I keep coming to City Beautiful for performances associated with Pracheen Kala Kendra and Tagore Theatre. Even Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar witnesses huge crowds. I believe the audience in Chandigarh and Punjab really appreciates classical music and dance forms, and always turn up in great numbers to show their support.”

The young talent

Avinash Kumar is associated with the All-India Radio and is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Music, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College, Delhi University. So, do youngsters opt for classical music nowadays? He explained, “It’s a wrong notion that youngsters aren’t interested in classic music at all. It’s an acquired taste, of course, but those who start appreciating ragas and taals become followers for life. Being a professor, I see a lot of youngsters wanting to become classical musicians or singers. It’s all about preferences.”

Meeta also resonated with the thought and added, “Classical music is really special. To vo aam nahi khaas hai or isliye sabhi isse ko nahi samajh paate hain. But film or classical are part of the big ocean of music and when we confuse ourselves with definitions or comparisons, we are on the loosing end. Music is for pleasing the ears and one listens to what makes them happy.”