Shashwati Mandal (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Shashwati Mandal (Vocal) accompanied by Abhay Datar (Tabla - disciple of Bhai Gaytonde) and Niranjan Lele (Harmonium- disciple of Pt. Tulsidas Borkar) at 39th Sangeet Samrat Alladiyakhan music festival on 8th April 2016.

Shashwati Mandal (Gwalior Gharana) hails from Mumbai. She is disciple of Pt. Balasaheb Poonchwale, Pt. Madhup Mudgal, Vidushi Paurnima Chaudary & Gundecha brothers.

Bada Khyal of the concert was Raga Malgunji (मालगुंजी). It's said that this is a complex Raag and it belongs to Khamaj that (खमाज थाट). It was first time I heard this Raag in a live concert. She presented Bandish 'Ban mein charawat gaiyan (बन में चरावत गैयाँं)' in vilambit Teen taal (तीन ताल). Her slow and methodic rendition was excellent and was appreciated.

She then presented a Bandish 'Nirpat sabahu bach hare (निरपत सबहू बच हारे)' which is a description of Seeta swayamwar.

It was followed by Tarana (तराना) 'Dhim dhim tana dere na dhim (धीम धीम तना देरे ना धीम)'. Audience appreciated it very much. There was a big applause at the end.

She then chose to sing a very very rare Sankeerna Raag Nat Kamod (नट कामोद) considered exclusivity of Jaipur Atrauli Gharana (Not her Gharana). She chose this one because Alladiya Khan is founder of Jaipur Atrauli Gharana. Again my first time to hear this Raag live. She presented bandish 'Nevar baajo (नेवर बाजो)' very skillfully and audience, many of whom are from Jaipur Atrauli Gharana, appreciated it. My research tells me that this is the only bandish in this Raag i.e. this Raag is sustained by one bandish. Such a rare thing.

She then presented a very rare kind of Tappa called Tappa without Taal (टप्पा विना ताल) 'Miya mainu chand chala (मियाँं मैनूं छाँंड चला)' in Raag Mand (मांड). Again my first time.

She concluded the concert with Tap Bandish (टप बंदिश) of Kumar Gandharva 'O dildara aa ja re (ओ दिलदारा आजा रे)' in Raag Khamaj (खमाज). She dedicated it to him, as it was his birthday. It was very good. Again my first time for Tap bandish live.

Shashwati sung very well. She played Tanpura while singing. Her Bol-Taans (बोल तान) were particularly impressive. She also used Aakars and Sargam. Wow, she sung everything so well, audience was literally mesmerized. Audience who was tentative in the beginning became her fan by the time concert ended.

Tabalji was very good and so was the Harmonium player. However Shashwati was so good that one did not notice them.

Organizers, sensing the public mood, requested her to sing more thereby increasing the length of concert and amount of joy.

This was a very special concert. It was my first time to listen to Malgunji, Nat Kamod, Tappa without Taal & Tap Bandish live. A very rare and memorable treat indeed. It would be remembered for its exclusivity.

She came, she saw, she won is an apt description of the concert. After listening to this concert, I did not feel like listening to any other concert for rest of the day and left.

Trivia: Shashwati is grand daughter of Pt. Balabhu Umdekar.
Audience of this festival was knowledgeable (जाणकार) and clapped only when there was something special.

Entertainment rating 9.25/10.