Padmashree Shubha Mudgal (Vocal)

Attended concert of Padmashree Shubha Mudgal (Vocal) accompanied by Dr. Aneesh Pradhan (Tabla - तबला), Sudheer Naik (Samwadini - संवादिनी) and Diya Kundu (Tanpura & Vocal accompaniment), a very young disciple of Shubhaji. The concert was part of Emirates NBD Classics III series at DUCTAC, Dubai on 5th Dec 2014. I attended the concert with my father-in-law. Thanks to Kumar.

Concert started with Raag Bageshree. She presented two compositions. First was 'Sajan bahu gun kam na aye..' in vilambit Ektal and second 'Harawa gundh lao ri..' in madhyalay Teen taal.

Then she spresented two short compositions in Raag Chhayanat composed by her Guru Ramashreya Jha alias Ramrang. First composition was 'Aaj man laago mero ...' in  Jhaptaal (This was composed as a tribute to Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande, the great). Second composition was 'Kar kanganwa..' in Teen tal. This was a beautiful composition about how Sita sees Ram's reflection in her bangle before garlanding (marrying) him. It was my first time to hear Raag Chhayanat live and I liked it.

Then she presented Bol Banao Thumri 'Piya ke jagaye, jaag pari main to ...'. Bol Banao Thumri is speciality of Banaras gharana (Purvi ang). This Thumri was different. It was slower than Thumris I know. Aneeshji got a free hand towards the end and he was very good.

Final composition was Jhula ' Dheere dheere jhulao ...', taught to her by Naina Devi. Jhula is influenced by folk music and is a speciality of Uttar Pradesh.

After she concluded a farmaish (request) was made for Dadra 'Sunder sari mori ...' And Shubhaji fulfilled the request. But it did not end there. Audience urged her to sing Thumri 'Balam tere zagde mein rain gai ...' She liked the farmaish and sung it.

Start appeared a bit tentative to my untrained ears, but then Shubaji sung very well (goes without saying). I especially enjoyed her aalap.

Sudheerji also plays harmonium with great command and was applauded by audience. Understanding between Shubhaji & Aneeshji was excellent. Being Husband-Wife helps!

Sound system did not give any trouble and temperature of auditorium was not cold. Infact I would have preferred a couple of degree Centigrades lower.

Raag Chhayanat, Bol banao Thumri, Jhula & Dadra .. Wow... This concert was definitely 'different' and out of beaten track.

A very good concert. Entertainment rating 8.5/10.

Diwali Pahat (दिवाळी पहाट) - Padmashree Padmaja Phenany-Joglekar (Vocal)

Attended concert, titled Diwali Pahat (दिवाळी पहाट), of Padmashree Padmaja Phenany-Joglekar (Vocal)  accompanied by Parag Dhadphale (Tabla - तबला), Mandar Parkhi (Samwadini - संवादिनी), Mahesh Khanolkar (Violin) and Sayli Karve (Vocal accompaniment). The concert was organized by Gallop events in IIS Auditorium, Silicon Oasis, Dubai on 24th Oct 2014. I attended the concert with Aditi, Sucheeta & Jayant.

This was a light musical concert of her film songs (चित्रपट गीते) and bhavgeete (भावगीते). All the songs as well as the announcement was in Marathi. Padmajaji encouraged audience to feel free to sing along because the best relationship is the relationship of sur (सुर).

Concert started with famous Ganeshstavan 'Om namo ji adya (ओम नमो जी आद्या) Mangal charana Gajanana' of Sant Dnyaneshwar. Then she sung Kavivarya Shankar Ramani's poem 'Dive lagle re dive lagle (दिवे लागले रे दिवे लागले)'

Then she presented a, yet to be recorded, abhang(अभंग) of Mirabai, her own composition 'Hari mere jeevan pran adhar (हरी मेरे जीवन प्राण अधार)'. She then presented a poem of Kavishreshta Indira Sant, 'Yaho yaho Suryanarayana (याहो याहो सूर्यनारायणा)'. Then came 'Suhasya tuze (सुहास्य तुझे...मी मज हरपुन)', a composition of Dinanath Mangeshkar. Audience welcomed this song by clapping at the first alaap. Audience then made a farmaish of 'Kenvha tari pahate (केंव्हा तरी पहाटे)' in Raag Durga from movie Nivdung (निवडुंग). 'Sangu kase sare tula (सांगु कसे सारे तुला)' a sad song that touches your heart was next. 'Hasra nachra (हसरा नाचरा...श्रावण आला)' a poem of Kusumagraj (कुसुमाग्रज) composed by Girish Joshi, 'Sonchphyachi Paule (सोनचाफ्याची पाऊले)' & bandish 'Khelat basant (खेलत बसंत निस पियासंग लागी)' were the subsequent offerings.

Final section was a rapid fire of songs, one after another, non stop. Poem of Ex- Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpeyi 'Geet naya gata hun (गीत नया गाता हूँ)' followed by 'Pustakatli khun karaya (पुस्तकातली खूण कराया)', 'Ranjishi sahi (रंजिशी सही)', 'Aaj Jane ki zid na Karo (आज जानेकी ज़िद ना करो), Kahin ye who to nahi (कहीं ये वो तो नहीं), Tinhisanja sakhe milalya (तिन्हीसांजा सखे मिळाल्या),  Tuzya eka hake sathi (तुझ्या एका हाकेसाठी).

The harmonium player, Mandar Parkhi, sung one Gazal ' Zhuki zhuki si nazar (झुकी झुकीसी नज़र). Mahesh, the violinist, also played a solo piece very effectively & Sayli, her student sung Dore akash shamiyana (दोरे आकाश शामियाना), a Bengali song of Saleel Chudhuri.

She finished the concert with my farmaish 'Lav lav kari pate (लव लव करी पातं)', a lullaby 'Nilya aakashachya (निळ्या आकाशाच्या)' from her album Megha re (मेघा रे), 'Megha re (मेघा रे)', the title track of her album and finally 'Runuzunu runuzunu (रुणुझुणु रुणुझुणु)'.

Padmajaji  engaged the audience throughout the program by peppering witty and informative commentary, encouraging them to appreciate the musicians and to clap. This created a dialogue with the audience.

Harmonium and Violin players have been playing with Padmajaji for more than 20 years so there was no question of lack of coordination. All the accompanists played well and were applauded from time to time by Padmajaji and audience. She sung very well and audience loved her.

Special mention should go to the audience who was knowledgeable, applauded at the right locations and recognized the song at the first note. Such an audience is singers delight.

Although remotely located, it was a very good auditorium. It was spacious, comfortable and has a large stage. Sound system was of Bose. Main singers mike had some issues as the words were a little unclear. Volume of violin was slightly on higher side.

Gallop events is a newly formed company. This was the first ever event organized by them and they did well. Typical Maharashtriyan atmosphere was created through a combination of music, rangoli (रांगोळी), hand outs, event specific news letter and Diwali faral (फराळ) packets. Full marks to them.

An excellent concert. Entertainment rating 8.5/10.