Dr. Kavita Gadgil (Vocal)

Attended concert of Dr. Kavita Gadgil (Vocal) accompanied by Nandkishor Banchhode (Tabla) and Subodh Godbole (Sanvadini) organized by Anubhooti at India Social and Cultural center, Abu Dhabi on 31st May 2014.

Concert started with raag Puriya Dhanashree in Vilambit Tritaal. Then she presented a bandish 'Mushkil Karo asan kwaja mere (मुश्किल करो आसाँ ख्वाजा मेरे)'.

Second raag of the evening was raag Bageshree in Vilambit tritaal. Kavitaji's rendition in kharj (lower octave) was especially good. She followed it with bandish 'E ri man sajan nahin aye (ए री मान साजन नहीं आए)' and bandish 'Jhagara karat pakadlini baiya marodi (झगरा करत पकडलीनी बैंयाँ मरोडी)'

Next offering was Raag Durga. Kavitaji sung only bandishes in Durga. First bandish was 'Atahi ghanghor (अतही घनघोर)'. Next bandish was 'Mata bhavani Kali (माता भवानी काली)' followed by tarana. This tarana was so good, it gave goose bumps to the audience.

Then she presented a bandish in raag Tilak Kamod 'Kar pakarat mori baiyan (कर पकरत मोरी बैंयाँ) followed by Hori 'Rang darungi Nand ke lalan pe (रंग डारूंगी नंदके लालनपे)'.  Audience appreciated this Hori a lot by accompanying her with claps. This hori is included in her maiden album that will be released soon.

Then she presented a natyageet "Vad jau kunala sharna ga (वद जाऊ कुणाला शरण गं)". Kavitaji had received gold medal from government of Maharashtra for this natyageet.

Concert ended with a bhaktigeet (भक्तिगीत) 'Saincha zala Prasad (साईंचा झाला प्रसाद)' in bhairavi.

Needless to say Kavitaji is a very good singer, each of her swar is distinct. Her variations in aalap were excellent. Although she belongs to Jaipur gharana, she sung bandishes of Kirana and Agra gharana with equal command. Tarana and Hori were the highlights of the concert. Kavitaji's voice though appeared stretched. It might be because of tiredness or change of weather. She was having difficulty in maintaining good voice in last two songs.

Subodh played well and followed Kavitaji precisely. He was better in second half. They had no practice session before concert.

Nandu played excellent tabla in pockets but appeared distracted other times.

A very good experience. Entertainment rating 9/10.

Disclaimer: I am a founder member of Anubhooti.

Amman Ali Khan (Sarod) and Ayyan Ali Khan (Sarod)

Attended concert of Amman Ali Khan (Sarod) and Ayyan Ali Khan (Sarod) accompanied by Satyajit Talwalkar (Tabla) and Anubrata Chaterjee (Tabla) as part of Emirates Classics III, at DUCTAC, Dubai on 2nd May 2014. This was my second time to watch Amman-Ayyan live.

Concert started with raag Shree. They presented two compositions. First in Jhap taal and second in Teen taal.

Then they presented raag Desh first in Ada Chautal and then in Teen taal. The compositions they played were of their grandfather Haafiz Ali Khan Saab.

Raag chaukeshi in teen taal was the next offering. Chrukeshi is a raag from South Indian system of  Indian classical music.

A folk tune from Bengal (Bhatiyali) was played next. I have heard this played by their father many times earlier.

Saraswati was then played for five minutes upon Satyajeet's recommendation. Then they moved to raag Kirwani for the conclusion and achieved the grand finale.

Amman and Ayyan play very well. They   are seventh generation sarodiya's. They definitely are two future Ustad's. Ayyan's Sarod was giving him trouble and had to be tuned frequently.

Both tabalji's were too good. Credit should be given to them for playing so well and to Amman-Ayyan for choosing tabalji's who are as good and at times even better than them. As compared to concert of Amjad Ali Khan last year (where these four accompanied him) tabalji's were given lot of free hand in this  concert.

Auditorium was not full despite it being a week end. It appears that since DUCTAC increased the ticket rates by 50%, sales have taken a hit. It's unfortunate that this has impacted patronage to Indian classical music. Sound system also gave a lot of trouble with whistling sound.

Amman and Ayyan are Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's sons. Satyajit is Talayogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar's son and Anubrata is son of Pandit Anindo Chaterjree. So the players had a very strong lineage of classical music. However all said and done, I did not come out of the auditorium very satisfied. I did not feel that the performers gelled well.

Entertainment rating 8/10.