Saturday, February 12, 2011

Sahela Re: 80th Birthday Celebration of GaanSaraswati Kishori Amonkar


Prominent proponents of different 'gharanas' of Hindustani classical and Carnatic music will come together to present a rich palette of 'ragas,' rhythms and repertoires at 'Sahela Ra.'

A fitting tribute to Gaan Saraswati Kishori Amonkar on the occasion of her 80th birthday, the two-day musical programme will be held on February 12 and 13 at the Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch. It will feature the likes of Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Viku Vinayak Ram, Uday Bhavalkar, T M Krishna, Raghunandan Panshikar and other accomplished artistes.

"This is a musical tribute to Kishoritai whereby we attempt to present 'ragas' rendered by artistes from different 'gharanas' on one stage. It will allow the audience to know how each 'gharana' and interpret every 'raga," said Amol Palekar, who has organised the programme, on Thursday.

'Ragas' will be presented simultaneously and consecutively by vocalists Nandini Bedekar from the Jaipur-Atrauli 'gharana,' Kaushiki Chakravarty from the Patiala 'gharana' and Kalapini Komakali from the Gwalior 'gharana.' Another session will feature a similar feature between vocalists Jaiteerth Mevundi from the Kirana 'gharana,' Raghunandan Panshikar from the Jaipur-Atrauli 'gharana' and Prasad Khaparde from Rampur 'gharana.'

We have brought together various facets of the Indian classical and Carnatic music. The programme, for a change, aims to present an entire gamut of 'ragas' pertaining to the morning, afternoon, evening and night to music-lovers," added Palekar.The programme's title, ' Sahela Re' is based on Amonkar's eponymous self-written 'bandish' that she rendered and recorded in 'Raga Bhoop' 40 years ago. However, the doyenne of Indian vocal music may have something new to offer to her patrons this time at the programme on February 13. "Kishoritai herself will present something new during the programme, something that she hasn't performed before. As a vocal artiste, she has remained a purist and believes in communicating the very essence and ethos of Indian classical music. It is this very direction that we have tried to take in putting together 'Sahela Re' as a tribute to her musical contribution," said Sandhya Gokhale, co-organiser of the programme.

'Sahela re' will conclude with a grand finale entitled, 'Taala Kacheheri,' a unique ensemble of percussionists and Carnatic music comprising the likes of Viku Vinayak Ram (ghatam), V Selva Ganesh (khanjira), Mahesh Vinayak Ram (Carnatic vocals), Sabir Khan (sarangi), Bhavanishankar (pakhwaj) and Ustad Zakir Hussain (tabla), who will perform together.

Donation passes available at Yashwantrao Chavan auditorium, Kothrud, Balgandharva Rangmandir and Tilak Smarak Mandir from February 2.

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