Varsha Sohoni (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Varsha Sohoni (Vocal) accompanied by Pushkaraj Joshi (Tabla, disciple of Vishwanat Shirodkar) and Supriya Joshi (Harmonium, disciple of Seema Shirodkar) at 39th Sangeet Samrat Alladiyakhan music festival on 8th April 2016.

Varsha Sohoni (Jaipur Atrauli Gharana) hails from Mumbai. She is disciple of Kamal Tambe & Pt. Madhusudan Kanetkar.

Bada Khyal of the concert was Jod Raag Lalita Gauri (ललिता गौरी). It's a combination of Raag Lalit and Raag Gauri. She presented Bandish 'Pitam saiyan (पितम सैयाँं)'' in Vilambit Teen taal (तीन ताल). She mainly used Aakar (आकार) for the badhat (बढत) of the Raag.

Then she presented a fast composition 'Mora mana har (मोरा मन हर)'. Tabalji got to show his skill in this composition. Audience liked it.

She then presented a Tarana 'Tana dere denna denna (तन देरे देन्ना देन्ना)' in Raag Basant (बसंत). Audience generally loves Tarana and so it did.

Concert concluded with a Kajri (कजरी) 'Siya sang jhoole bagiyan mein (सीया संग झूले बगियाँंमें)' made famous by Girija Devi.

Experts in the audience felt that, of Raag Lalita Gauri, Varsha rendered Lalit part very well but had to hurry through the rendering of Gauri part due to time limitation.

Pushkaraj played Taba as required. An ideal accompaniment. Supriya's harmonium was appreciated by the singer. She played well.

Concert duration was about hour. Some more time would have been welcome.

Trivia: This years festival was dominated by vocalists. 17 out of 22 concerts were Vocal.

Entertainment rating 8/10.