Divine Ragas Resonate in Ravindra Bhavan
Bhopal: A gentle autumn evening transformed the Anjani Auditorium at Ravindra Bhawan into a sanctuary of classical sound and spiritual pursuit. The occasion was the prestigious Thakur Harishchandra Singh Sangeet Samaroh, an annual event organized by the music and art committee bearing the same name. The night’s proceedings were graced by the presence of veteran tabla maestro Pandit Kiran Deshpande and Deputy Director of Ustad Alauddin Khan Sangeet and Kala Akademi, Shekhar Karhadkar.
Young Maestros Set the Tone
The evening commenced with inspiring performances by talented child artists. Lavi Deshmukh from Betul captivated the audience with her melodious classical vocals, showcasing remarkable purity of tone. Following her, Rewa Bhadoria from Indore wove intricate patterns on the violin, filling the hall with emotion. Their performances, skillfully accompanied on the tabla by Yashvi Deshmukh, served as a pristine introduction to the depth of Hindustani classical music.
South Meets North in ‘Raga Saraswati’
The main program began with an enchanting classical recital by Pandit Iman Das from Karnataka. Focusing on Raga Saraswati, he commenced with the bandish “Jogi Gaye Ab Raga Saraswati ko…” set to Jhumra Taal, mesmerizing the listeners. He displayed his command over rhythm by presenting a madhyalaya bandish in Jhaptal and followed it with a composition in Teental. The true highlight was a Carnatic-style Kriti in Ektal, “Saraswati Namo Stutai,” which offered a beautiful fusion of North and South Indian musical traditions. His performance concluded with a soulful Thumri of the Patiala Gharana, flawlessly supported by Anshul Pratap Singh on the tabla.
Santoor and Divine Dhrupad Climax
The mood shifted with young Bhopal artist Satyendra Singh Solanki, who charmed the audience with his expressive Santoor recital of Raga Vihag. His presentation, spanning alaap-jod-jhala and various rhythmic cycles, was a display of delicate sonic beauty. The spiritual apex of the evening arrived with the internationally renowned Dhrupad singers, Padma Shri Umakant Gundecha and Anant Gundecha. Their divine rendition of the Dhrupad “Aaye Raghuveer Dheer Ayodhya Nagar ko…” in Raga Bageshree, set to Chautal, merged classical discipline with profound devotion. The duo concluded with the serene Kabir pad, “Jhini Jhini Chadariya…,” leaving a lingering resonance in the hearts of music lovers.
Honouring Musical Luminaries
The Samagam concluded with a ceremony honouring several distinguished figures for their invaluable contributions to Indian classical music. Padma Shri Pandit Umakant Gundecha, Anant Gundecha, Pandit Akhilesh Gundecha, Pandit Anup Sharma, and Pandit Gautam Kale were formally felicitated, recognizing their lifelong dedication to the art form.
