Mandolin and Sitar Jugalbandi concert at 24th VVK-SRNSU-2015

[munirao2001]

As a part of Vani Kala Kendra's 24th year Sri Ramanavami Sangeeth Utsav (Kalothsav), a Jugalbandi-Karnataka Sangeetham and Hindustani Sangeet- by Vid.U.P.Raju on Mandolin and Ustad Rashid Khan on Sitar, with accompaniments of Vid.H.S.Sudhindra on Mridangam and Pandit Udayraj Karpur on Tabla, concert was performed on 19th Sunday, April, 2015. The concert commenced at 8 a.m. and ended at 10.30 a.m.

I would rate this concert as one of the best jugalbandi concerts I have heard. Vid.U.P.Raju and Ustad Rashid Khan exhibited their reverence of their system of Classical Music, while they also exhibited deep appreciation for the other system and Vidwath of the other artists. They did not take notice of the very poor numbers of rasikas-about 30/40, in attendance. They did not take resort to music with intent to induce instantaneous and commanded applause but won the hearts of the rasikas and event managers with pure and pristine classical music.

Vid.U.P.Raju opened the concert with 'Raghu Nayaka-Hamsadhwani - Adi-Thyagaraja ' with brief raga aalaapana bringing out the beauty of this attractive raaga. Keertana rendition and svara kalpana received appreciation and set the right tone and atmosphere for much higher quality of music to be unfolded later. Ustad Rashid Khan then took the morning raaga 'Ahir bhairav'-madhya laya Adi and dhrut laya Adi tala khayal bandish. Ustad also brought out the essence of the raaga in all splendour, relatively brief jod, jhala, taans and sargam patterns. Then came the best, Raaga Dharmavathi-Darbari, Ragam-Taanam-Pallavi, with raaga maalika and its Hindustani equivalent. Both artists did not leave any aspect of creativity untouched and unfolded. It was very rare enriching experience and soulful rendition. Accompaniment of both the percussion artists were also inspired. Tani was also a class in both technique and aesthetic by both the maestros. Vid U.P.Raju took up a Shirdi Sai Bhajan set to Misra Vakulabharanam raga in rupaka talam and did full justice to the short and sweet composition. Ustad took up popular Sindu Bhairavi and the composition brought out the traditional treatment. Concert was ended with the 'Bhagyaada Baramma - Madhyamavathi-Adi-Purandara Dasa.

In private conversation with Ustad Rashid Khan on my feed back, I conveyed my deep felt pleasure and also requested for giving a min.of ten minutes for raaga aalaap in future concerts, raaga aalaap given highest status in creativity in both the systems. Ustad fully agreed and appreciated for the suggestion.

munirao2001