Attended a concert titled 'Amhi duniyeche raje (आम्ही दुनियेचे राजे)'. The program was conceptualized, written & directed by Devendra Bhome. He was also the music arranger. The program was anchored by Abhijit Khandkekar and Gautami Deshpande.
Singers were Jaydip Vaidya, Ashutosh Mungle, Mukta Joshi and Shruti Athavle. They were supported by Ketan Pawar on Tabla and percussion and Devendra Bhome on Keyboard and Harmonium. Lighting was handled by Tejas Devdhar. Kushal Khot was the manager.
This concert was organised on 25th Oct 2019, on the occasion of Diwali, by Maharashtra Mandal Abu Dhabi at Indian Islamic Center. I attended it with Mihika, Aditi, Sameer, Pooja, Jayant, Sucheeta, Prakash, Swati, Ashok and Savita.
Concept of this concert was unique. The idea was to present old melodies in contemporary styl, somewhat like Coke Studio. Although creator dies, good creation doesn't die. The music, the words and tune remains the same but it is presented using contemporary instruments, style, musicians and singers.
Concert started with the title song by Jaydip 'Amhi duniyeche raje (आम्ही दुनायेचे राजे)' which transformed seamlessly into 'Lakh lakh chanderi (लख लख चंदेरी)'. Mukta made an entrance with 'Rimzim paus (रिमझिम पाऊस)' & 'Saptapadi hi roj chalte (सप्तपदी ही रोज चालते)'. Ashutosh presented initial song of Pu La's 'Batatyachi chal (बटाट्याची चाळ)'. He presented it without music and was excellent. Shruti was the fourth singer and she started with 'Hi kuni chedli taar (ही कुणी छेडिली तार)'.
Jaydeep presented 'Shabdanchya palikadale (शब्दांच्या पलिकडले)' followed by Ashutosh's mukhda of 'Tu ashi jawali raha (तू अशी जवळी रहा)' and his two duets with Shruti 'Shukratara (शुक्रतारा)' & 'Jadu ashi ghade hi (जादु अशी घडे ही)'. Mukta came up with 'Raghupati Raghav gajari gajari (रघुपती राघव गजरी गजरी)' and 'Ye ga ye ga Vithabai (ये गं ये गं विठाबाई)'. Then came Shruti with 'Kausalyecha Ram (कौसल्येचा राम)', one of the best songs of this program. Last song before interval was Jaydip's 'Ghana Ghana mala nabhi datlya (घन घन माळा नभी दाटल्या)', an excellent rendition.
Post interval session started with Ashutosh singing 'Lajun hasane an (लाजून हासणे अन्)'. There was a technical issue with pre recorded music. He sung this song with chords and Tabla. Mukta presented sweet song 'Chanda tuza majla ka Mukunda lawiyala (छंद तुझा मजला का मुकुंदा लावियला)'.
Then it was Lawni time when Mukta and Shruti presented 'Ghatle bilwar, ghatli nathani (घातले बिलवर, घातली नथनी)' and 'Jigar khol'lyabigar aj jau naka (जिगर खोलल्याबिगर आज जाऊ नका)'. Both these lawnis were very good but unpopular. These were the only two songs I had not heard before. Then Mukta presented 'Padarawarti jartaricha (पदरावरती जरतारीचा)' written by GaDiMa. This song was greeted with a huge applause. Then she presented Sudhir Phadke's 'Mala lawkar gharakade jaudya (मला लवकर घराकडे जाऊद्या)'. Lawni session concluded with the evergreen 'Tumhawar keli mi marji bahal (तुम्हावर केली मी मर्जी बहाल)' by Shruti. Although this season was good, Dholki was sorely missed. Tabla simply can't replace Dholki.
Jaydip presented 'Sanga Mukund kuni ha pahila (सांगा मुकुंद कुणी हा पाहीला)' of Honaji Bala. This was the best song of the night. He demonstrated why he is a highly rated and sought after singer. All singers then presented Sudheer Phadke medley 'Janata ajanata (जाणता अजाणता)', 'Tocha chandrama nabhat (तोच चंद्रमा नभात)', 'Rupas bhal'lo mi (रूपास भाळलो मी)' and 'Dhundi kalyana (धुंदी कळ्यांना)'.
As the concert came towards conclusion, Mukta presented 'Neej mazya Nandalala (नीज माझ्या नंदलाला)', also one of the best songs of the concert. It was followed by Shruti's 'Zulwu nako hindola (झुलवू नको हिंदोळा)'.
Concert concluded with a bandish 'Dekho more saiyan (देखो मोरे सैंया)' and 'Aga vaikunthichya raya (आगा वैकुंठीच्या राया)'. End of concert did not have a crescendo and was a bit abrupt.
Concept of this concert was innovative. It's like presenting the compositions (gem - हीरा) in new setting (कोंदण) without disturbing the soul. All the selected songs were basically presented in slow cadence with only essential music. Some songs were with live music, some with pre recorded music and some with a combination of both. While singing Sudhir Phadke songs his signature pronounced sha (ष) was missing.
Interestingly, they did not restrict themselves to start the song from beginning. Some times they started from Mukhada, sometimes from start of Antara, sometimes from second or even third line. This was novelty and appealed to me as original. It also had a special effect.
Although the program had two anchors, singers and musicians contributed in narration through informal discussions interspersed with anecdotes and tales of music, musicians, song writers.
I went to the program hoping that it will not be marathi zankar beats and expecting something new. The program did not disappoint me.
This was the 1st international performance of Amhi duniyeche raje. A little more finesse would help (like movement of the artists on stage), but it would come with more shows. Overall pace of the program appeared to be on slower side and it slowed down further during narration. Some attention required on this aspect.
Ashutosh, Mukta, Shruti and Jaydip are very good singers. Their performance was flawless. Although assisted by pre recorded music, Devendra and Ketan were a good match for the singers. Anchors provided the star power and performed the task of the thread that binds the quilt. In short, all the singers were excellent, musicians were good, anchors did well, however, somehow, overall effect of the program was not greater than sum of it's parts.
The concept of program is bold. There will always be a section of audience who does not approve deviation from the original. MMAD committee deserves credit for daring to go for this program instead of a traditional one for Diwali.
Trivia: Gautami is a qualified engineer and has worked as a professional in corporate world before entering show biz. She is also younger sister of Marathi actress Murnmayee Deshpande.
All the artists are very nice and cordial when not in limelight. They are not pretentious.
