Disciples pay rich tributes to Guru Gawai

The Hindustani music lovers of Mysore have ample of opportunity to listen to their favourite style as there are a number of Hindusthani musicians in the city.

It is interesting to note that a large  number of them are disciples of Pandit Puttaraja Gawai. All these singing birds had flocked together recently in remembrance of their Guru and paid rich musical tributes to him. The function was presided by Vid K P Upadhyaya, a rare flautist of both the styles. A day-long programme was organised at the Veene Sheshanna Bhavana on April 29, where veteran mridanga Vidwan Nagabhushanachar was also honoured.

A big chunk was reserved for upcoming artistes in the morning session. That indeed was a thoughtful and welcome gesture by the organisers. Sanjana Kaushik, Sunitha Hiremath were the youngest among the lot. 

Vinayaka Hegde (Sirsi), Ravishankar Misra (Mysore) and Shivadeva (Mysore) were the other performers in the morning session. Dr M S Bhaskar, Manasa Nayana, J Niranjana and Bharathi Pratap performed during the latter half. Niranjan, Veerabhadriah Hiremath, Ramesh Dhannur, Shivadeva, Bhimashankar Bidanur and Prabhu Sonna are all products of Veereshwara Punyashrama of Gadag. Their gratitude and respect for the place and Pt Puttaraja Gawai is boundless. This feeling is the source of inspiration behind ‘Ganayogi Dr Pt Puttaraja Gawai Aradhana Samithi’ – Mysore.

Sanjana Kaushik has been trained under a number of Gurus and currently is learning from J Niranjan. Good voice and stamina to hold on for a note at length are her assets.

The creativity is blossoming in her cool presentation. The confidence adds to it. She presented Rag Lalith in the morning.

In a very leisurely pace. She took up the alap and expanded the raga for nearly an hour.

She needs to improvise on the bhava aspect to make a better presentation. Prabhu Sonna (Harmonium) and Milind(Tabla) accompanied her. 

Impressive

Sunitha Hiremath is currently learning under Pt Indudhar Nirodi. She has also learnt from her father Veerabhadriah Hiremath. She has a powerful and very impressive voice. She was accompanied by Shriram Bhat (harmonium) and Ramesh Dhannur (tabla). Her choice was Rag Todi. She tried to present this  emotional raga expressively. She has a long way to go. Hard practice can take her to heights. 

Vinayak Hegde, a disciple of Sripad Hegde and Jayatheertha Mevundi has a rich voice. He took up Rag Madhuvanthi and pleased the listeners. Shriram Bhat and Bhimashankar Bidanur gave him Saath.  Ravishankar Misra is a matured flautist. 

His Rag Brindavani sarang flowed calmly  soothing every heart. The straight notes were dancing in Dhruth. Milind gave him saath. Ramesh Dhannur and Jummana Gowda Patil accompanied Shivadeva who sang Patdeep. He also sang a song prescribing the qualities of a Guru.