Pt. Tulsidas Borkar (Samwadini)

Attended a concert of Padmashree Pt. Tulsidas Borkar (Samwadini) accompanied by Mandar Puranik (Tabla) and Siddhesh Bicholkar (Swar mandal) at 39th Sangeet Samrat Alladiyakhan music festival on 9th April 2016 with Ravi.

Tulsidas Borkar (P.Madhukar Gharana) hails from Mumbai and is disciple of Pt. Vishnupant Vashta, Swararaj Chota Gandharva & Pt. Madhukar Pednekar.

Chosen Raag for the concert was Raag Hamsadhwani (हंस ध्वनी), which is a Melkarta Raag. He presented two Bandishes composed by his Guru, P.Madhukar.  First in Jhap Taal (झप ताल) and second in Teen Taal (तीन ताल).

He then presented Sargam geet (सरगम गीत) composed by Murli Manohar Shukla in drut Teen Taal (तीन ताल). Then he presented a beautiful Thumri, however he did not tell the Raag. It was probably Pilu (पिलू).

He then presented a famous Abhang 'Tirtha Vittal kshetra Vitthal (तीर्थ विठ्ठल क्षेत्र विठ्ठल)'.

Then he switched to Natya Sangeet. He played 'Chand maza ha hasra (चांद माझा हासरा)' of his Guru Chota Gandharva, followed it up with another one of Dinanath Mangeshkar and concluded with a composition of Bal Gandharva.

Last item of concert was Mishra Dhun (मिश्र धुन). He emphasized on presence of Bhav (feelings) in Mishra Dhun.

On special request of organizers he acceded to play D.V.Paluskar's 'Thumak chalat Ramachandra (ठुमक चलत रामचंद्र)' and how well he played!

Tulsidas ji's arrival was welcomed with a big applause. This Bhishmacharya of harmonium has agile fingers at the age of 81. He demonstrated how to optimize pushing bellow (भाता).

Tabalji and swar mandal played a perfect accompaniment.

Harmonium solo concerts are very rare. To get to attend one of Tulsidas ji is rarer. It is said that, to watch him play is a treat and learning experience for students. Obviously it was a house full concert. All the artists who performed before him on the day were present in audience.

Trivia: Most of the harmonium players in this samaroh were disciples of Pt. Tulsidas Borkar. This was his first concert after getting Padmashree.

Entertainment rating 9.25/10.

Sudheer Nayak (Samwadini)

Attended solo concert of Shri. Sudheer Nayak (Samwadini) accompanied by Dr. Aneesh Pradhan (Tabla), Siddharth Wadia (Swaramandal) & Prasad Prabhu (Tanpura)
on 4th Apr 2015 in Chembur, Mumbai. This concert was part of 'Sangeet Samrat Alladiya Khan music festival 2015'.

Concert started with Raag Yaman (यमन). First he presented a bandish (बंदिश) in Jhap taal (झप ताल). And followed it with another drut gat (द्रुत गत) composed by Panna babu (Pt. Pannalal Ghosh).

Then he presented raag of  Jaipur-Atrauli (जयपुर अतरौली) gharana (btw Alladiya Khan founded Jaipur-Atrauli gharana) , Raag Tilak Kamod (तिलक कमोद). Then he played a gat composed by his Guru Pt. Tulsidas Borkar who was present in the audience.

Then he played a gat in Raag Tilak Des (तिलक देस), composed by Madhukarji (His guru's guru) and follwed it by a bandish as a gift to Anishji.

Finally he called Mahendra Shedge (Percussionist) to play Tal (टाळ) for final composition, a bhajan; 'Sant bhar Pandharit (संत भार पंढरीत)'

Sudheer Nayak is well known name as Harmonium player. He has nimble fingers and constructs seemingly improbable melody. Adnan Sami has a competitor for fastest fingers. Anishji played excellent tabla that was competitive and complimentary at the same time. He was appreciated by audience and Sudhirji.

Understanding between Sudhirji and Anishji was exemplary. This superb understanding made the performance more enjoyable. Sudhirji described Anishji as friend, philosopher and guide. As a result they were looking at each other most of the time rather than audience.

It was the first time I attended a solo concert of Harmonium. It was good to see an accompanying instrument gaining center stage. I had limited expectations from this concert but I enjoyed it immensely. Very impressed.

The duration of concert was about 1.5 hr. Attendance was @ 300.

A WOW concert. Entertainment rating 9.25/10.