An ensemble by maestros

Soul-soothing

Blending both Carnatic and Hindustani style of music, the event was truly a treat for music-lovers. The event, divided into two sessions, saw the performances of artistes like Ustad Fazal Qureshi, TAS Mani, Prakash Sontakke, C N Chandrashekhar, Milind Date and others. The morning session commenced with an invocation song by Anurag and Aparna Sontakke.

Abhinava Gavisiddeswara Mahaswami of Koppal Samshtan and Manu Baligar, Director of Kannada and Culture Department, were the chief guests for the programme.

The musical extravaganza kick-started with a soulful vocal recital by M Venkatesh Kumar. The Hindustani vocalist selected Raag Thodi and presented it in a beautiful manner. Next he sang Raag Deshkaar which took the audience to a different world. When the unsatisfied crowd craved for more, the talented vocalist presented a composition by Purandaradasa. He than rendered Thoredu Jeevisabahude... with much involvement and devotion. Ravindra Yavagal accompanied him on tabla and Ravindra Kadodi on harmonium.

The next presentation was an ensemble of Hindustani and Carnatic music with instruments like violin, slide guitar, mridangam and tabla. The maestros Ustad Fazal Qureshi (son of Ustad Allarakha), TAS Mani, Prakash Sontakke and C N Chandrashekhar made this jugalbandi an interesting piece.

They commenced their performance with the composition, Maha Ganapathim in Raag Nata. It was a pleasure indeed to witness the expertise of each artiste. Undoubtedly, Prakash Sontakke on slide guitar and C N Chandrashekhar on violin stole the hearts of music-lovers. Next performance was Charukeshi, a rare kind of composition, which was apt for the moment. Audience enjoyed the coordination between  Fazal Qureshi and TAS Mani on tabla and mridangam respectively. Qureshi attracted the gathering with his spellbinding performance  on the tabla.

The evening session commenced with the flute recital by Milind Date. He was appreciated for his performances based on Raag Bhoopali and Raag Keerwani. Next up was Thala Tharangini, a percussion ensemble by TAS Mani and the team, who treated the audience with a splendid show.

“It was a fantastic concert in all aspects. In spite of World Cup final matches, people turned out for the event in good numbers. Overall it was a great show,” said Prakash Sontakke.