1pm - 3pm - Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
Kiranpal Singh - Santoor
Kiran Chet[?] - Tabla
1. Brief introduction of the artists and the Santoor
2. Raag Madhuvanthi - 2 compositions
i) Rupak Taal - 7 beats [3+2+2]
ii) Teen Taal - 16 beats
3. Tabla Solo
4. Break
5. Raag Kaafi
6. Raag Basant Bahar
7. Kashimir folk song - Raag Pahadi
It was also advertised that there would be snacks available from 12:30pm. I turned up aroun 12:45, there were a bour 50 persons alerady there. Food was provided by a local South-Indian restaurant called Maharajah which was very nice. After my share of Idli, Vadai, Sambar, settled down for some music. The concert started promptly at 1.
Sri Kiranpal explained the origins of the santoor and the way it's made and how it's played. He took an afternoon Raag Madhuvanthi. It was very pleasant to hear. It went on for about 45 minutes. The tabla solo was very nice as well.
Then the dreaded break, I personally think it kills the atmosphere. The Madhuvanthi floating lost it's way while people were genrally chatting while giving more money to the restaurant people
Staretd again with Raag Kaafi, which was very nice! Half way thro, I noticed that the ragam had changed. Hmm, I had a vague feeling it was Basant Sahar as Maharajapuram's thillana came to mind [me being thick I suppose, that's how I identify ragas that I'm not too familiar with]. At the end of the concert I went and asked him, he said yes, he changed his mind in the last moment to play Basant Bahar as well, as it's almost Spring time!
People more familiar with HM can explain this, there was no significat break when the raga changed from Kaafi to Basant Bahar. It was alsmost that he played them as one song. Not many noticed that he was playing a different song. If I hadn't gone and asked him I'd thought the same scratching my head, convinced that the raga had changed. Is this normal?
Then he said, as the instrument had it's origins in Kashmir, he was going to play a small Kashmiri folk song, which was in Raag Pahadi. This was played in a fast temp and was very nice to hear. The tabla player had a great time playing for this song, showing various diffferent combinations. From what I counted, it was in Adi talam.
Was suprised by the crowd turnout. It was about 110 people, the place was full. The crowd was predominantly caucasian, me along with 2 mama's were the only asians present [apart from the two artists and two organisers]. Well behaved and a very pleasant afternoon! The madhuvanthi still is in my mind. Free concert and about 15 minutes walk away from home! It was a pity that it clashed with a Manchester Unietd game which was televised, no regrets though, one doesn't get to hear much live Indian music in Liverpool.
I'm looking forward to the next concert at the end of March!
