Ustad Shujat Khan (Sitar) and R.Prasanna (Guitar)

Attended Hindustani- Carnatic fusion concert of Ustad Shujat Khan (Sitar) and R.Prasanna (Guitar) accompanied by Ojas Adhiya (Tabla), B. Amrit (Kanjira) and P. Ravindran (Mridangam)  as part of Emirates Classics III, at DUCTAC, Dubai on 17th April 2014 with Raju and Jayant. This was my second time to watch Shujatji live.

First section of concert was played by Prasanna with Mridangam & Kanjira.

The concert started with Prasanna playing a composition of Muthuswamy Dixitar. Then he played a composition in raaga Suddha Saweri & another composition demonstrating his command on guitar.

The percussionists played jugalbandi after that.  Audience loved it & was applauded a lot. Prasanna ended this section with a composition called 'Bowling for peace', a composition from his album, a fusion.

Second section was played by Ustad Shujat Khan. Solo initially and then with tabla & mridangam. This section consisted of only one composition.

He played Jhinjhoti (aalap jod) followed by a composition. He termed the style of playing as 'informal'. Shujatji played sitar nimbly and applauded  the percussionists encouraging them .

This section took the concert to a different height. The trio played exceptionally well and took audience to the edge of ecstasy. They deservedly received standing ovation.

Final section was a jugalbandi of Prasanna and Shujatji with the three percussionists.

First Shujatji sang a gazal while playing sitar in this section. The lyrics were very good but the singing slowed down the tempo.

Then they all played together. This was my first time to watch Hindustani - Carnatic jugalbandi. The artists regained the lost tempo in this section. Prasanna garnished this section with some western style guitar play.

Concert ended on a high with all the musicians playing crescendo.

Volume of sitar was little loud & sometimes smothered sound of guitar. Program started almost half an hour late. Attendance was not very encouraging with only half of the auditorium full, probably because it was a working day.

Shujatji has lightning  fast fingures and played with ease. It is a delight to watch him playing. He also sings very well. I would, however, prefer sitar over vocal. Tabalji Ojas was a thin young man. But he played like a hurricane. He matched Shujatji stroke by stroke. Too good. This was my first time to watch carnatic classical music played on electric guitar. Another novelty was that Mridangam was placed on a custom made low stand.

Enjoyed the concert. Entertainment rating 9/10.

Betal zalet sur (बेताल झालेत सूर)

Mandar's concert report

Attended 'Betal zalet sur (बेताल झालेत सूर)', a program of Marathi parody songs (विडंबन गीते) on 11th April 2014 at India Club, Dubai. This was 202nd show of this program and first time out of India.

Before the start the artists challenged audience not to laugh even once during the program. Needless to say, they won.

Program started with Ganesh Vandana (गणेश वंदना). They presented one type of song in  another song's tune and vice versa. Some fusion, some new songs in old tunes accompanied by witty commentary.

Parody can be of anything. Style of singing, tune of the song, wording of the song, naughtiness, style of various musicians etc.. The artists used all these styles to create parody. They used all types of songs like folk songs, bhav geet (भाव गीत), filmy songs, tamasha (तमाशा), bhajan (भजन), light songs, lullaby(अंगाई), lavni (लावणी), qawwali, classical music and even ukhana (उखाणा - there is no English name for this)

There is a very thin line between naughtiness and vulgarity. This program never crossed that line and was enjoyed by everyone with their families. The singers and musicians were good and remained in sur (सूर).

The only deficiency I could note was that they mostly used existing songs and the contribution of newly written & composed songs was limited.

This program was presented by an amateur group of 11; consisting of entrepreneurs, doctors, chartered accountants, managers and engineers. It was lead by Shri. Chandrasekhar Vaze (One on extreme right in photograph). Mr. Vaze is Chairman of Jankalyan sahakari bank. The group consisted of four singers, a tabalji, a dholki player, a side rhythm player, a bansuri player, a harmonium player and two narrators.

The artists promised a program filled with fun and entertainment and confirmed that there will be no seriousnessa and the audience will enjoy.

They delivered. All in all a satisfying program. Entertainment rating 8.5/10

xxx xxx (Tabla)

Attended Tabla concert of Shri xxxx xxxx (Tabla) accompanied by Nandkishor Banchhode (Tabla) and Sandip Khairnar (Sanvadini - Harmonium) organized by Anubhooti, at Embassy of India auditorium, Abu Dhabi on 11th April 2014.

This was xxxx xxxx's first international solo concert. Anubhooti introduced him to international audience. The chosen taal for the concert was Tritaal.

The concert started with Peshkar. It was followed by Ajrada Kayda. Audience applauded the artists multiple times not only demonstrating appreciation of performance but also their knowledge.

Then Nandu presented Ajrada Kayda and demonstrated how a disciple follows his Guru's foot steps. This Kayda ended with synchronized chakradar.

In the next rela xxxx demonstrated how soft tabla can be played most effectively.

Farmaish bandish in madhyalay teental followed by a medley of compositions, bandishes, chakradar, Punjabi chakradar, bedam chakradar, tukdas, sawal-jawab & lagge.

xxxx modesty was evident when he requested audience to excuse for any mistakes as they have practiced only for 3-4 days. If they can perform so well with such little practice, imagine what they can do with more practice.

Nandu has shown marked improvement in his tabla playing over last year. He played very well and was appreciated by xxxx. Now Nandu has 'hot fingers'.

Sandip had to be corrected by xxxx on a couple of occasions, otherwise he did well. Although playing lehra seems simple, actually it is very difficult.

When the performers enjoy playing, the audience enjoys listening. This concert was pure joy. Entertainment rating 9/10.

Disclaimer: I am a founder member of Anubhooti.