An evening with stalwarts
Classical notes
Legends like Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia and Ustad Rashid Khan descended on Delhi’s musical landscape as part of a music festival in the Capital recently.
The Bhilwara Sur Sangam 2012- an initiative by the LNJ Bhilwara group- witnessed a huge outpouring of classical music lovers as the stalwarts displayed their music on two days- March 31 and April 1 at Kamani auditorium. The Bhilwara group, a leading name in diversified areas like IT, textiles and hydro-energy, organised this event for the first time this year. They are planning to make it an annual affair with the support of musicians and art aficionados alike.
Pradeep Rai, the corporate communications chief of the company, says, “The aim behind this kind of a programme is to promote classical music in today’s youth. We noticed that not many corporates were involved in classical music events and hence we decided to take the initiative.”
The success of the initiative could be judged by the crowds that thronged the Kamani auditorium to see Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan and Pandit Jasraj perform on Day 1 of the event.
Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, hailing from Sitar’s first family- Etawah Gharana, amazed the audience with his dexterity over the instrument.
He rendered Raag Jhinjhoti, Alaap Jod Jhala with teen bandish, pehla vilambit teen taal and remaining in teen taal in lupt. At the request of the audience, he performed Raga Pahari as well. The outcome was a thundering applause by a gathering of over 500.
Pandit Jasraj commenced his performance with a prayer Mangalam Bhagwan Vishnu and went on to present Ragas Puriya, Darbari and bhajan Om namohbhagwate vasudevaye in his magical voice. Speaking to the audience, Pandit Jasraj said, “I own my training to my gurus. But I owe music to God. He has blessed me with a suitable voice, and I wish to give back to him with the gift that he has bestowed on me.”
The second day of the event witnessed the performance of two more celebrated artistes- flautist Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia and Hindustani vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan. Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia created a spell-binding environment with his rendition of Raag Madhuvanti on the flute. Moving on, he amazed the audience with a delightful performance of Raag Pahari. Next, preferring the khayal rather than the instrumental stroke-based style, Ustad Rashid Khan spread the charisma of his enchanting voice with bhajans like Radha Brij Ko Chali and Prabhu Aavan Ki Man Bhavan Ki.
Ustad Rashid Khan later addressed the audience, “I am very glad to have got an opportunity to share the stage with masters like Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan and Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia. I feel that one must perform not only for entertainment, but also to maintain the pure and rich heritage of our country. I hope our youngsters would have enjoyed the performance and that I come back for this event in the years to come as well.”
