Pravin Godkhindi (Bansuri)

Attended a concert of Pravin Godkhindi (Bansuri) accompanied by Ojas Adhiya (Tabla) and Mohsin Mirajkar (Tanpura) on 12th Dec 2015 at Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, Pune with Makarand, Shilpa, Alhad kaka, Dilip kaka and Vinita kaku.

Engineer by education, Pravin is1st Indian Flautist to perform on the 8 Feet contrabass flute. Pandit Venkatesh Godkhindi (Flute - Kirana gharana) & Vidwan Anoor Ananth Krishna Sharma (Mridangam) are his Gurus. He plays in gayaki (गायकी) and gatkari or tantrakari (तंत्रकारी) style.

Pravin started the concert with Raag Maru Bihag (मारु बिहाग). First in vilambit Ek taal (विलंबित एक ताल) and then in drut teen taal (द्रुत तीन ताल). His rendition of raag was soulful and delicate. He played this raag in gayki style. This raag was a strong contender for the best performance of the day.

In second section he played Raag Rageshree (रागेश्री). First he played Aalap and then in Matt taal (मत्त ताल) followed by Teen taal (तिन ताल). He played this raag in tantrakari style and informed that he will bring in what he learned from his Mridangam Guru into Hindustani music. This section drew multiple applauses from audience. Audience especially liked their jugalbandi

Concluding the concert, they got up. Needless to say he got a standing ovation with shouts of 'once more'. Acceding to public demand he played Bhimsenji's famous bhajan 'Maze Maher Pandhari (माझे माहेर पंढरी) for another five minutes.

Pravin played extremely well. He displayed his command in both gayaki ang and tantrakari. He also played to the audience. It was my first time to hear Pravin live and I look forward to next opportunity. He had excellent understanding with Ojas which enhanced the performance manifold.

Ojas is a future star. His effortless Tabla playing was on display. He displayed amazing dagga play and was reportedly applauded. Ojas demonstrated why he has a great future.

Trivia - Organizers announced that the pendal for this Sawai Gandharv festival is being constructed by three generations of Gokhle family since inception i.e. 63 years. Wow.

A memorable concert.

Entertainment rating 9.5/10.

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Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasiya (Bansuri)

Mandar's concert report

Attended concert of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasiya (Bansuri) titled "Elements - Vāyu", accompanied by Pt. Shubhankar Banerjee (Tabla), Pt. Bhavani Shankar (Pakhawaj) and Vivek Sonar (Flute accompaniment). The concert was organized by Tamburine Live at Madinat theater, Dubai on 26th Sep 2014. I attended the convert with Jayant, Sucheeta, Nandu, Deepa and Raju.

The concert started with Evening Raga Madhuvanti (मधुवंती). He started aalap solo and was later joined by Pakhawaj. Bhavani Shankar played very well and drew applause from audience. Then Panditji played a composition in same Raga, in Rupak (रूपक) taal. Tabla accompanied him for this. Shubhankar played very well and drew spontaneous applause. He gave an excellent demonstration of constrained and controlled tabla playing.

Then Panditji announced that he will play one of his favorite Raga, but he will not tell the name. The rendition of Raga  was too good and audience was swayed mesmerized. His jugalbandi with tabalji was excellent. At the end of this Raga, Panditji asked the audience if they have recognized the Raga. Many from the audience recognized it as Hansadhwani (हंसध्वनी). Let me confess that I did not recognize it from Sur, but could recognize since I have heard Panditji's audio track of this Raga numerous times. Panditji was very happy that so many of the audience recognized it.

Then he asked what should he play in remaining 7 minutes. Suggestions ranged from Maand, Yaman, Bhairavi etc. But the suggestion he liked most was 'whichever you like (जो आप चाहो)' and played Pahadi (पहाडी). Audience liked the light music as digestive.

Panditji sat on a chair instead of traditional cross legged position. His hands had a distinct tremor, though it was less than last time I attended his concert in May 2013. The age has caught up.

The theater was very good. Sloping arrangement of seats ensured unhindered line of sight of stage for the audience. Acoustics were also very good. They had a 'No photography' policy and implemented it effectively.

Panditji liked the sound system so much that he called the sound engineer on stage and felicitated him.

An excellent concert and mesmerizing evening. Entertainment rating 8.75/10.

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia (Bansuri)

Attended 'SANGAM - A world music confluence', a concert by Hariprasad Chaurasia (Bansuri)  assisted by Mr. Sonar and Ms. Joshi, Gwyneth Wentink-A disciple of HPC (Harp), Subhankar Banarjee (Tabla) & Gino Banks (Western drums) at DUCTAC, Dubai on 17th May 2013 with Nandu, Jayant, Prakash & Amit.
 
Panditji started with Raag Madhuwanti in Rupak taal, with Subhankar, in  North Indian style followed by same in South Indian style. His age was telling with shaking hands and his sitting on a chair, but Bansuri was sublime. The give & take between Hariji and Shubhankarji was enjoyable.  

Gweneth played two solo compositions. Sonata by Czec composer Dusec followed by folk tune 'Carnival in Venice'. This was my first-time seeing/hearing harp which has 47 strings. How does she know which is 19th or 31st is a wonder. Harp is an amazing instrument. Gino Banks then joined her for an Indian-Western fusion composition. Gino is an excellent drummer. I came to know today that drums can be played softly.

Post interval all of them played Yaman. This was real sangam of all instruments. This one was too good and left the audience spell bound. Finally they played folk music from Holland. Alas it had to end and so it did. Needless to say that they got standing ovation. 

I thaught they should have taken folk before Yaman to end on a high note.

Overall our consensus rating 8 out of 10.