Shalmalee Joshi (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Shalmalee Joshi (Vocal). Shalmalee was accompanied by Tejovrush Joshi (Tabla) and Anup Rajpurohit (Harmonium). This concert was organised on 27th April 2019. It was a home baithak. I attended the concert with Aditi, Sucheeta, Rucha and Pooja.

Shalmalee, disciple of Madhuri Kulkarni, Pt. Chintubuva Mhaiskar, Smt. Padma Talwalkar, Pt. Ratnakar Pai & Govindji Kalla, hails from Jaipur Atrauli gharana. Tejovrush is a disciple of Bapusaheb Patwardhan of Farukhabad gharana and son of Shalmalee. Anoop is a disciple of Sudhir Naik of P.Madhukar gharana. Shalmalee was assisted by Mallika Kilpady for vocals and and Girish Pande  on Tanpura.

Selected raag of the concert was Raag Gujari Todi (गुजरी तोडी). Gujri Todi is a 2nd prahar raag of Todi thaat (तोडी थाट). This raag is considered effective in producing karun ras (करुण रस).

First she presented a bandish (बंदिश), Jiyu mora chahe (जियू मोरा चाहे) in Vilambit Teen Taal. She started steady,  built up meticulously, consolidated base and then demonstrated variations that were appreciated and applauded by audience. Anoop was also applauded for his harmonium. 

She then presented bandish Sughara banaree (सुघर बनरी) in drut teentaal. This was a lesser known version (I think the one in Ada Chautal is more famous).

Final presentation of raag was Tarana (Tadiyan de re tadiyana tana). I had never heard this Tarana before. Her beautiful rendition was perfect. Audience was lost in the tune. 

She then presented second raag of the concert, afternoon Raag Madhamad Sarang (मधमद सारंग) of Kafi that (काफी थाट). The bandish was Mera rangeela banara banike ghar aya (मेरा रंगिला बनरा बनिके घर आया). She took her time in developing the raag and showing the variations to the audience. She then presented Rang-de, Rang-de a fast paced bandish. Tejovrush extracted his share of applause when rendition came to drut lay.

Her unique taans,gamak and laykari (specially of Jaipur Atrauli gharana) were liked by all. Clear notes, steady voice and variations are her forte. She is also a down to earth person. Tejovrush and Anoop are future stars in making. 

Normally concerts are organized in evening or night, so it's rare to get to hear morning and afternoon raags. This concert straddled noon and allowed the singer as well as audience to enjoy morning and early afternoon raags.

Around 40 real asiks attended the concert. Sound system was good for the size of hall. It was an excellent concert in informal atmosphere.