Vidushi Jyoti Hegde (Rudraveena & Sitar), Mrinalini Kotur(Sitar)

Mandar's concert report

Attended Rudraveena + Sitar concert of Vidushi Jyoti Hegde (Rudraveena & Sitar), Mrinalini Kotur (Sitar) and Nandkishor Banchhode (Tabla) at ISC, Abu Dhabi on 22nd March 2014 with Patil, Sambhaji, Banchhode, Kumar, Gotimukul, Pawar, Oka families, my family and Raju. This concert was organized by Anubhooti.

This was first international performance of Jyotiji, first concert of Anubhooti and first Rudraveena concert in UAE. Before the start Jyotiji introduced Rudraveena. Rudraveena is considered grand mother of all stringed instruments but  has unfortunately become a rare instrument today.

Concert started with Raag Marwa on Rudraveena in Chutaal. She presented Alap, Jod, Jhala with tabla  instead of traditional Pakhawaj.

It is said that Rudraveena needs rasiks who are trained to listen. Playing in front of amature audience was a daring act. But the audience loved it. Jyotiji switched to Sitar after this and was joined by Mrinaliniji. Remaining concert was Sitar jugalbandi.

The ladies first played Raag Durga in Tritaal. This was traditional rendering of raga in Alap, Jod, Gat & Jhala. Bandish in madhyalaya and drut trital. Audience liked it so much that the applause continued for more than a minute.

Next offering was Raag Bageshree in Ektal and then in drut Teental. Audience liked this one too. Then the artists presented a light composition in Mishra Kirwani.

Concert ended according to the tradition with Bhairavi.

Audience was spellbound and did not move till the end. Mrinaliniji's Sitar had more bass whereas Jyotiji's Sitar was sharper. Jyotiji is well known as a Rudraveena player but she is equally fluent with Sitar. There was a good understanding and synchronization between the ladies that comes after years of practice together. Mrinaliniji also plays very well but played second fiddle (no pun intended) to Jyotiji today.

I had watched Nandkishor last when he accompanied Shri Chirag Katti. His performance today was decidedly better and he appeared more comfortable with Jyotiji and Mrinaliniji. He played aptly. No more, no less.

The concert went on for two and half hours but no one realized how time flew by.

An excellent concert. Rating 9.5/10.

Disclaimer: I am founder member of Anubhooti.