'Tarangini (तरंगिणी)

Attended an instrumental fusion concert titled 'Tarangini (तरंगिणी)' by band 'Shanti fusion (शांती फ्यूजन)' anchored by Dr. Girish Oak (गिरिश ओक) and led by Pt. Yograj (पं. योगराज), disciple of Utd. Shahid Parvez. Pt. Yograj (Sitar), Sargei Gudinho (Base Guitar), Surjit Thali (Tabla), Vishnu Shirodkar (Keyboard) and Santan Carvalho (Octopad ) were the performers. This concert was organised by Maharashtra Mandal Abu Dhabi as part of the Annual General Gathering on 20th April 2018 at Hotel intercontinental, Abu Dhabi. I attended the concert with Thangaokar family, Oka family, Mane family, Patil family and Chitrao family.

Concert started with a small piece in Raag Yaman kalyan (यमन कल्याण). Dr. Girish Oak explained his role in the concert in an interesting way. He said he was the khboos that is needed to eat hummos. The Arabic connection.

The band presented a composition in Raag Jhinjhoti (झिंझोटी). 'Norwegian wood' by George Harrison of Beatles was based on same Raag. They then presented another composition in same Raag and ended with song 'Koi humdrum na raha (कोई हमदम ना रहा)'. Anchor then presented a famous poem of Mangesh Padgaokar 'Tumche Kay gele (तुमचं काय गेलं)'

They next presented a composition in Raag Ahir Bhirav (अहिर भैरव). It had some similarity with Arabic folk and keyboard was the predominant instrument. They continued to song 'Ye sham mastani (ये शाम मस्तानी)' from film Kati Patang. Anchor presented a  week known poem of Kusumagraj 'Prem kar bhilla sarkhe (प्रेम कर भिल्ला सारखं)'

Next composition was based on Raag Hamsadhwani (हंसध्वनी) and continued into song 'Ja tose nahi bolun sanwariya (जा तोसे नाही बोलूं सावरीया). Girishji then presented famous poem of Shankar Vaidya 'Chatri (छत्री)'. 

The band then presented Marathi song 'Konacya khandyawar (कोणाच्या खांद्यावर)' based on Raag Natbhairav (नट भैरव). Girishji then presented a Marathi gazal of Vinda Karandikar titled 'Sathi (साठी)'.

They then presented A.R. Rahman composition 'Tu hi re (तू ही रे)'. Pt. Yograj played this excellent composition, almost without accompaniment, equally well. Wow!  This was the best piece of the concert. Audience demanded 'Once more' but the wish was not granted. Girishji then presented a poem of Mangesh Padgaokar 'Mi tila wicharle (मी तिला विचारलं)'.

They presented another composition on Raag Alhaiya Bilawal (अलहैया बिलावल) and continued into song 'Hum the jinke sahare (हम थे जिनके सहारे)'. Girishji presented his own poem in muktachand 'Pananche prakar (पानांचे प्रकार)'. This was a very good poem and enumerated so many types of pan (leaf) in staccato burst that audience enjoyed it and applauded him. Infact his poem drew more applause than that of great poets. 

They then presented medley in Raag Pilu (पिलू), which is favoured by cinema music, of 'Suramayee akhiyon mein (सूरमयी अखियों में)' and 'Ae jindagi gale lagale (ऐ जिंदगी गले लगाले)'.

Concert ended with a famous composition  based on Raag Tilak kamod (तिलक कमोद) that i have heard before. 

I liked the format of the concert. A Raag based composition followed by a film song based on same Raag so that general audience can connect and identify with it. However, they did not announce the name of all Raags.

Dr. Girish Oak was sort of an odd man out in a instrumental fusion concert. However, he managed his role decently with the help of his wit, poems, presence of mind and his star value. 

Pt. Yograj and Vishnu were outstanding. I would like to listen Yograj play solo classical. Other musicians supported them ably. The coordination between them was noteworthy. 

Audience, however, was not attentive. Some were interested and listened carefully. Others were in festive mood and were chatting in the back rows.  Children were running around. Girishji subtly expressed his displeasure but no avail. If the audience had been keen, out would have turned out to be much more enjoyable. 

A good concert in a wrong setting.

Entertainment rating 8/10 

Kadri Gopalnath (Saxophone)

Attended a concert titled 'Grand saxophone concert' by Dr. Kadri Gopalnath (Saxophone) accompanied by V.V. Ravi (Violin), K.M.S. Mani (Mridangam), Rajendra Nakod (Tabla) & Venkatachalam, a disciple of Kadri Gopalnath on Talam on 6th April 2018. This concert was organised by Consulate general of India, Dubai in association with Indian fine arts, Dubai as part of 'India @ 70'. The concert was in the Indian Consulate auditorium, Dubai & I attended with Jayant & Sameer.

Concert started with a composition of Papanasanam Sivan in raag Tilang (तिलंग). I think it was Sri Ganesh charanam in Adi taal. He then presented a kriti of Tyagaraja. I missed the name. Next was a composition in Raag Hamsadhwani in Rupak taal. Was it Pavanaguru?

He then started next composition without announcing it. Nevertheless, it was good. I think he said it was Raag Senavati. He then played a composition in Raag Dhenuka.

Composition of Tyagaraja in raag that I could not get was the next presentation. Was it Karaharpriya? V.V. Ravi then played a solo piece without accompaniment. It was good. 

This was followed by light music. Audience welcomed it with rhythmic clapping. This section also contained Sawal-Jawab. Tabalji new exactly what Kadriji will play note by note and played Tabla beat-by-note. This is possible only by long association. This was followed by Mridangam solo and Tabla solo alternatively followed by Sawal-Jawab between them. Tabaji played very good relas. Percussionist enthralled the audience with their skills in this section. 

Kadriji then presented a composition of Raag Ahir Bhairav. It was followed by another composition, the name and Raag  was again lost.  It sounded like raag Pilu. It was followed by another composition. He then played a movie song and another composition.

Concert ended with my favourite Bhairavi and to to it up famous and another favorite of mine 'Bhagyada Lakshmi'. Needless to say there was a long standing ovation.

Kadriji plays every note very clearly but does not speak clearly. He mumbles. So it was difficult for someone like me, who does not know Carnatic music and raags, to catch and understand words. So if I have written name of some raag wrongly, kindly excuse.

Tabla and Mridangam accompaniment (together) is not very common in Carnatic music concerts.  Here we had that combination. The effect was excellent. V.V. Ravi played very well and supported the main instrument aptly. Kadriji plays very well, we all know it. To see him play was an opportunity. Concert lasted more than two hours. 

Credit to consulate for starting the  program at 7.30 sharp. Although consulate has a good auditorium, the seats are not fixed, chairs were placed. It's not a  sloping arrangement, so people at the back could not see the artists seated on stage clearly. It is not a wonder that there was a full house. Additional chairs were placed and yet some were standing. These are real rasiks. Attendance was more than 375.

Sound system and acoustics of the auditorium were excellent. Volume of Tabla should have been a bit low, at times it masked finer notes of main instrument.

Saxophone and Violin Are western instruments now well entrenched in Indian classical music. Idea of playing Carnatic music on Saxophone is exotic. Watching such a concert live is rare. Watching this living legend perform is bliss. We enjoyed it thoroughly. It was worth the 300 km travel. 

Entertainment rating 9/10