Attended a concert of Vidushi Shruti Gokhale (Vocal). Shrutiji was accompanied by Bhushan Rao (Tabla) and Meghan Shrikhande (Harmonium). This concert was organised on 21st Sep 2019. It was a home baithak organized by Triveni Sangeet Sabha.
Shruti ji, disciple of Mrs.Shubdha Paradkar and received guidance from Pt. Arun Kashalkar. She renders Gwalior, Agra and Jaipur Gayaki with proficiency and ease. Bhushan is a disciple of Giridharprasad Jaypurwale of Dilli gharana. Meghan is a disciple of Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki. Ruta Deshmukh provided vocal accompaniment.
Although it was a little late (5.30 pm) for the raag, selected raag of the concert was afternoon Raag Bhimpalasi (भीमपलासी), a raag for Bhaktiras, of Kafi (काफी) thaat.
First she presented a bandish (बंदिश), 'Par na payo (पार ना पायो)', composed by Tansen Ramtanu Mishra, in madhyalaya teental (तिन ताल). Shruti ji created foundation, built on it and used alap and sargam for badhat.
It was followed by famous bandish 'Biraj mein dhoom machayo Shyam (बिरजमें धूम मचायो श्याम)' in drut Teen taal. Audience liked this short rendition of known song.
She then presented sampoorna-sampoorna midnight raag Kafi, of course of Kafi thaat. Raag Kafi has direct lineage with folk music of India. Srinagar is principal rasa of this raga.
She presented Thumri (ठुमरी) 'Kaisi ye dhoom machai (कैसी ये धूम मचाई)' made famous by Begum Akhtar and Girija Devi.
Next presentation was a Bandish 'Guru mata (गुरू माता)' composed by herself on her Guru Shubhada Paradkar in serious raag Bibhas (बिभास) of Bhairav (भैरव) thaat in Ada Chautal (आडा चौताल). Although it was not designated time of this raag, she sung it upon farmaish. It was a pleasant composition.
Second half of the concert was dedicated to light music. She first presented a bhajan 'Chitarya chitre kadhi bhintiwari (चिताऱ्या चित्रे काढी भिंतीवरी)'. It was a composition of Bhajanbhushan Gajananbuva Patil in raag Shivaranjani (शिवरंजनी). Audience joined in as chorus for this and subsequent bhajans.
Based on audience response she chose another abhang of Gajananbuva Patil. It was 'Kela maticha pashupati (केला मातीचा पशुपती)' in raag Bageshree (बागेश्री) and Abhogi (अभोगी). This was a meaningful song by Sant Tukaram and it was a beautiful rendition. Shruti ji got emotional by remembering Gajananbuwa.
She then presented another Bhajan 'Ram Krishna Hari (राम कृष्ण हरी)' of Gajananbuwa based on Raag Bahar (बहार) in Teen taal (तिन ताल). Iit was followed by Gajananbuva's Gawalan 'Bai tuza ladka kanha (बाई तुझा कान्हा)' of Sant Eknath, based on raag Mishra Kafi.
Final rendition if the concert was 'Tu akash mi bhumika (तु आकाश मी भूमिका)' of Sant Namdev composed by Gajananbuva Patil. It was a Bhairavi (भैरवी), my favourite.
She presented a number of sweet compositions of Bhajanbhushan Gajananbuva Patil. I have become curious about this artist. Unfortunately not many recordings of his exist.
Shruti ji is a very down to earth person, no ego. Her taans are very good and laykari is very good too. Her voice appeared to be strained. Especialy during bhajans she was struggling with her voice. Probably effect of yesterday's concert in Dubai?
Bhushan ji and Meghan ji, both local talents, ably provided apt accompaniment and were encouraged by audience.
Around 50 rasiks attended the concert. Bose sound system was good for the size of hall.
It was a good home baithak.
