Sachin Patwardhan (Spanish Veena)

Attended a concert of Sachin Patwardhan (Spanish Veena) accompanied by Parag Dhadphale (Tabla) organized by Anubhooti at Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, on 11th Oct 2019 with Aditi and Mane, Patil, Thangaokar, Oka families . Attendance to the concert was @ 90.

Sachin is a disciple of Utd. Amjad Ali Khan of Bangash Gharana. Parag is disciple of Pt. Suresh Samsnt and Pt. Sudhir Mainkar.

Spanish Veena is an instrument invented by Sachinji by adding strings to Spanish Guitar and making it suitable to play Hindustani classical music.

Sachin started the concert with bada khyal. It was late morning Raag Charukeshi. This is 26th melakarta raag from Cathartic music and is adopted into Hindustani classical music. He started with Aalap, Jod, Jhala. The base was created in this phase. Then he elaborated the raag with three bandishes. First bandish was in Rupak taal, second one was in Madhyalay Teen taal and last one was in Drut teen taal. He played Charukeshi for about 1 hour 15 minutes. 

Audience demanded a chota khyal. So it was another late morning Raag Gujri Todi of Todi thaat. This raag is very effective in producing karun rasa. He presented a composition in Teen taal. The crescendo of this raag was especialy good. 

Concert ended with my favourite Bhairavi. He presented Bhairavi first without Tabla. This was too good. Then he continued Bhairavi with Tabla and concluded the concert on a high note.

Sachin played Spanish Veena with ease. He displayed his dexterity in playing fine as well as strong notes, slow as well as fast lay and was applauded frequently. Sachin is also a very down to earth person, no ego.

Parag got his 5 min of fame 3 times and made good use of it. He too was encouraged by audience to play freely.

It was evident that these two artists were playing together for the first time. They were tentative initially but the stated to gel and the association grew as the concert proceeded. 

Sachin is the musician of new generation.  He is tech savy. He had his Macbook connected and had earphones plugged to one ear to get direct sound feedback. His Spanish Veena sound output was given directly to sound system so there was no microphones in front of him.

The concert lasted for 2 hours. Sound and lights were good. Embassy of India awarded certificates of appreciation to the artists. This was Anubhooti's 14th concert. 

Trivia: Sachin ji is originally a Sarod player and also plays violin. He is also an MBA. Parag is an engineer. A highly qualified duo. 

It was a unique concert because he is the only one who plays Spanish Veena.. 

Disclosure: I am a founder member of Anubhooti.

Milind Raikar (Violin)

Attended a concert of Milind Raikar (Violin) accompanied by Bhushan Rao (Tabla) & Yadnesh Raikar (Violin) organized by Anubhooti at ISC, Abu Dhabi, on 23rd Apr 2016. Attendance to the concert was @65.

Milind Raikar is disciple of Pt. D. K. Datar and Gaansaraswati Kishori Amonkar. Yadnesh is his 15 year old son and disciple.

Raag of the concert was Raag Puriya Dhanashri (पूरिया धनश्री). First he played aalap followed by madhyalay and drut compositions.

Then he presented bandish 'Payaliya zankar (पायलिया झंकार) in same Raag. At times when he wanted to play delicate notes he asked Bhushan to play soft tabla. He and Yadnesh played extremely well. Audience gave them a very long and big applause.

Then he presented a Bandish of his Guru, Kishori Amonkar, 'Sahela re (सहेला रे)' in Raag Bhoop (भूप). It was a treat. Both the violinists were applauded multiple times.

Then Milindji gave audience a choice of either Thumri or Natyageet. Greedy audience (that included me too) demanded both. Milind ji complied.

He presented the immortal Thumri of Bade Gulam Ali Khan 'Yaad piya ki aye (याद पियाकी आए)' in Raag Bhinna Shadja (भिन्न षड्ज). Milindji commented that the bandish he played was the original one without deviation as told by his Guru however what Yadnesh played was the version influenced by Kaushiki Chakraborty, which deviated from the original. Generation gap!

Then Milindji presented Marathi Natyageet 'Yuvati mana zale (युवती मना झाले)'. Audience who knew the song loved it and who did not know liked it nevertheless.

He then presented famous bhajan of Kishori Amonkar 'Mharo pranam (म्हारो प्रणाम)' in Raag Yaman Kalyan (यमन कल्याण). This too was liked by audience.

Concert concluded with 'Bhairavi (भैरवी)'. He played Bhairavi without Tabla. Without Tabla it was much more effective. It created a completely different kind of effect. It gave goose bumps to the audience. Mesmerizing!

Milindji's Violin literally sang. He played slow, delicate, fast. Everything was perfect. He extracted numerous applauses. His rendition touched the heart.

Yadnesh is a very good violinist. His understanding of music is beyond his age. Doubtless, he has a bright future.

The father son duo was a classic example. Father is a perfectionist and traditionalist whereas son is a talented rebel with great respect for father. However both share a great rapport. To top it up humility is in their nature.

Bhushan played Tabla as a pure accompanist. He was very true to lay (लय) and concentrated on basics rather than trying to be flashy. Very good.

There was some trouble with sound system and microphone adjustment, but it was sorted out.

Milindji especially mentioned that he liked idea of children presenting flowers to the performers and introducing artists. He encouraged the anchor, Mihika, by inviting her back on stage and presenting her a flower. He again appreciated Anubhooti for giving opportunity to children after concert.

All in all it was a fabulous concert. The audience was spellbound.

Entertainment rating 9.5/10.

Disclosure: I am a founder member of Anubhooti.

Vidushi Shubha Mudgal (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Vidushi Shubha Mudgal (Vocal) accompanied by Dr. Aneesh Pradhan (Tabla, disciple of Pt. Nikhil Ghosh) and Sudhir Nayak (Harmonium, disciple of Pt. Tulsidas Borkar) at 39th Sangeet Samrat Alladiyakhan music festival on 10th April 2016.

Shubha Mudgal (Gwalior, Agra and Jaipur Gharana) hails from Delhi. She is disciple of Pt. Ramashreya Jha, Pt. Vinay Chandra Maudgalya, Pt. Vasant Thakar, Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki & Pt. Kumar Gandharva.

Bada Khyal of the concert was night Raag Abhogi Kanada (अभोगी कानडा) of Kafi That (काफी थाट).

First bandish was 'Kahe gumaan kare gori (काहे गुमान करे गोरी)' in Vilambit Ek Taal (एक ताल). She used Aakar (आकार) for badhat (बढत). Her slow, detailed and clear rendition was appreciated by everyone.

Second bandish was 'Sulzat nahi man (सुलझत नाही मन)' in Teen Taal (तीन ताल). She received a long applause at the end.

She then presented a composition of her Guru Pt. Ramashreya Jha 'Nabha nirakh aj (नभ निरख आज)' followed by 'Ratiya nind na aye (रतिया निंद ना आए)'. Both of these were beautiful and appreciated by audience as well as accompanists.

Last presentation was Chaiti (चैती) 'Ramji ke ban ma pathole (रामजी के बनमा पठौले)'. This song narrates the incidence of Kaikeyi sending Ram to vanvas. Concert was supposed to conclude here but audience did not leave. Since this was the last concert of the festival, they insisted on conclusion with Bhairavi.

So concert concluded with a Bhairavi 'Ajar jharey ras gagan gufa mein (अजर झरे रस गगन गुफाँं में)', a Kabir composition from her album. She sung this song with a lot of emotions and made the audience tender, a combined effect of her soulful singing and conclusion of festival.

It is well known how good a singer Shubha ji is and she sung to her reputation. She impressed one and all. She has unbelievable range. Audience was ecstatic. Even her vocal accompanist and disciple (I missed her name) was very good and was applauded by the audience.

The pair of Anish ji and Sudhir ji always brings liveliness to the concert. They enjoy playing together and the enjoyment spills over to the audience. With Subha ji, they outdid themselves.

It was a full house. Fantastic. Memorable. Fitting conclusion of the festival.

Trivia: Spontaneous poetry (शीघ्र काव्य), on the artists and Raag they performed, by anchor Amey Bal was highlight of this festival. His poetry, at the end of each concert, was frequently appreciated and applauded.

Entertainment rating 9.5/10.

Saylee Talwalkar (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Saylee Talwalkar (Vocal) accompanied by Satyajit Talwalkar (Tabla) & Subodh Godbole (Harmonium) organized by Anubhooti at Embassy of India auditorium, Abu Dhabi, on 18th Mar 2016. Attendance to the concert was @90.

Saylee is disciple of Mrs. Usha Deshpande, Mrs. Arti Anklikar-Tikekar and Pandita Padma Talwalkar. She is daughter-in-law of Pt. Suresh Talwalkar and Pta. Padma Talwalkar and wife of Tabla maestro Satyajit Talwalkar.

Concert started with Raag Bheempalasi (भीमपलासी). She presented Bada Khyal in Vilambit Ek taal (एक ताल) 'Ab to badi ber (अब तो बडी बेर)'. Her Aalap were applauded. It was followed by famous bandish 'Biraj mein dhoom machayo Shyam (बिरजमें धूम मचायो श्याम)' in Drut Teen taal and audience liked it. Audience also applauded Satyajit for his Tabla. Then she presented Tarana (तराना). Audience especially liked it and applauded her frequently.

She then presented Chota Khyal in Raag Saraswati (सरस्वती) from Carnatic music. She sung famous bandish 'Sajan bin kaise (सजन बिन कैसे)' composed by Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki and transposed seamlessly in 'Vikal mana aaj zurat asahay (विकल मन आज झुरत असहाय)', a Natya geet a (नाट्य गीत) in same tune.

In the second half she presented a Nirguni bhajan (निर्गुणी भजन) 'Mhare ghar aao ji (म्हारे घर आओ जी)' that ended in a very big applause.

Next she presented a Marathi Abhang (अभंग), originally sung by Gaan Saraswati Kishori Amonkar, 'Bolawa Vittal (बोलावा विठ्ठल)' and seeped the audience in Bhakti Ras (भक्ति रस). Audience joined her by clapping in rhythm for the Nam Gajar towards the end and she liked it.

She then wanted to present last composition but audience egged her for one more. So she boldly chose to sing an off the track form of music called Gawlan (गवळण), 'Sawla Nandacha (सावळा नंदाचा)'. It was a folk song based on Raag Vrindavani Sarang (वृंदावनी सारंग), originally sung by her Guru Arti Anklikar and composed by Achyut Thakur.

Concert concluded with Bhairavi (भैरवी), 'Sun Yashoda (सुन यशोदा)'. Saylee became emotional while thanking everyone before starting Bhairavi.

Saylee offered a lot of variety with Bada Khyal, Chota Khyal, Bhajan, Abhang, Gawlan and Bhairavi. She addressed the taste of all the audience. Audience liked the variety. She sung well and sometimes sung at her limit without going out of tune.

Satyajit is one of the best Tabla player of India and it was for all to see why he is so highly rated. He was too good.

Subodh followed Saylee religiously and showed his skills in the light music section.

Sounds system was good. Some more illumination on stage would have been welcome.

Trivia: Saylee and Satyajit are husband and wife but interestingly, this was their first ever concert together.

Entertainment rating 8.5/10.

Disclosure: I am a founder member of Anubhooti.

For more concert reports please visit
Mandar's Concert Reports 
http://mandarconcertreports.blogspot.com/

Jogiraj Sikidar (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Jogiraj Sikidar (Vocal) accompanied by Nandkishor Banchhode (Tabla), Shashwath Sunilkumar (Harmonium) and Shreekutty & Meenu  (Tanpura) organized by Anubhooti at Embassy of India auditorium, Abu Dhabi, on 29th Jan 2016. Attendance to the concert was about 100.

Concert started with Raag Yaman. He first presented 'Salona mora saiyan (सलोना मोरा सैयाॅं)' in vilambit Ektal (विलंबित एकताल). He displayed fine lower octave singing.
It was followed by 'Eri hari piya bina (एरी हारी पिया बिना)' in drut Teen taal.

He then presented a madhyalay bandish 'Kanha re Nand nandan (कान्हा रे नंद नंदन)' in Raag Kedar.

Then he presented a Thumri 'Ab ke sawan ghar aaja (अब के सावन घर आजा)' in Mishra Desh and Tilak Kamod in Banaras Gharana style.

He then presented a Gazal (गजल) 'Tere karib aake (तेरे करीब आके)' in Raag Nand (नंद).

Concert concluded with Kabir's Bhajan (भजन) 'Mat kar moh tu (मत कर मोह तू)' in Raag Bhairavi (भैरवी).

Jogiji humbly requested for audience's permission to start the concert. He made good use of aalap and tarana. He is a very fine singer and probably deserves more recognition than he gets. He displayed variety in the alap, tarana, lower and higher octaves and a blend of Gharana. The way he was encouraging the accompanists underlined the fact that he is a very good teacher too.

Shashwat has lightning fast fingers and demonstrated his understanding of the mood of concert. He was applauded by the audience.

Nandu started slow but picked up as the concert progressed and came at par. His Tabla play with harmonium was applauded.

Tanpura artists needed prodding by Jogiji for vocal accompaniment.

Sounds system was optimum however more gain was needed for Tabla.

Entertainment rating 9/10.

Disclosure: I am a founder member of Anubhooti.

Ulhas Kashalkar (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar (Vocal) accompanied by Taalyogi Pt. Suresh Talwalkar (Tabla) & Sudheer Nayak (Samwadini) on 12th Dec 2015 at Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, Pune with Alhad kaka.

Ulhasji has received training in the Gwalior, Jaipur and Agra gharanas and blends style of these khayal gharanas. He is a disciple of Pt. Ram Marathe and Gajananbuva Joshi.

Ulhasji started the concert with raag 'Jog Kauns (जोग कंस)'. He presented what sounded like 'Sugar barava ayo re (सुगर बरवा आयो रे)' followed by 'Peed parayi (पीड पराई)'. He sung for about 40 minutes and showed his class in this limited time.

Second presentation was a Bandish 'Aai re kaise raat (आई रे कैसे रात)' in Raag Adana (आडाणा). He sung for only about 7-10 min.

Concert ended with the famous Bhairavi 'Jamuna ke teer (जमुनाके तीर)' upon farmaish by Sureshji that lasted for about 7-10 minutes.

It's known that Ulhasji is a very good singer. He is considered point of reference by many contemporary and junior singers. He acts what he sings, making it easy to understand.

Pt. Suresh Talwalkar is considered encyclopedia of taal. His books are considered Tabla gospel and his Tabla tuitions are considered one of the best. To see him perform was an opportunity of life time.

Sudheerji is an excellent harmonium player. He enhances the singers performance by his understanding and complimenting them with his 'singing' harmonium.

A lot of time was lost in changing the stage arrangement for previous Kathak concert and back again for this concert. The concert had to be wrapped up in one hour because of municipal restrictions to finish all programs by 10 pm. By the time performers and audience had warmed up, it was time to finish. What a shame. Either the time restrictions should be relaxed or time management has to be better.

Trivia - Sawai Gandharva festival is arguably the largest festival of classical music in the world. Attendance this year was around 15000.

Entertainment rating not allotted because of time restrictions.

Zakir Hussain (Tabla) and Niladri Kumar (Sitar)

Attended a concert titled 'Upaj (उपज)' of Ustaad Zakir Hussain (Tabla) and Niladri Kumar (Sitar) on 10th Dec 2015 at Shanmukhananda Auditorium, Sion, Mumbai; with Ravikiran.

Concert started with Raag Shuddha Kalyan (शुद्ध कल्याण). Niladri played amazing Sitar especially in Aalap. He played the raag for one hour. Even Zakirji clapped at the end of this raag.

Artists indicated interval, but audience urged them not to take one. So the concert continued, though some of the audience decided to take their own interval.

After this pseudo interval Niladri played a beautiful raag. He did not tell the name and I could not recognize it. But it was very sweet nevertheless. He played for about half an hour. They played amazing jugalbandi and followed it up with Sawal Jawab and ended with a crescendo with thunderous applause.

Third composition was also a very good composition. Again he did not tell the name of raag and I could not recognize it. However we enjoyed it very much.

Concert ended with a Dhun (धुन) in Bhairavi (भैरवी). Audience enjoyed it as it was a known tune. During this Zakirji drummed directly on the mic to create rhythm. He also played bedam Chakradhar on Tabla. Dhun and concert ended with a long applause and standing ovation.

Niladri extracted and extruded notes from Sitar with minuscule movement of fingers. Some were so deep and in lower octave that I did not know they existed. Sometimes audience started to clap even before Niladri finished his minute variations and he had to tell them to wait till he had finished.

Zakirji, being the living legend he is, played a conventional accompanist. He stole his moments of glory but did not try to overshadow Niladri. A commendable restraint. His Tabla playing is legendary. Each bol was crystal clear, whatever the playing speed. He breaths rhythm.

Both artists had a very good understanding and enjoyed playing together. When artists enjoy, so does the audience. Both of them have lighting fast fingers.

Organizers had discouraged audience from using camera but the official cameraman was snapping photos merrily with flash disturbing the artists.

Concert started half an hour late but audience was still pouring in after that. Most of the audience was not dardi (दर्दी). Some times they disturbed performers by moving around and sometimes clapping to early.

It was a fantabulous concert and pure bliss. Niladri has a great future. Zakirji is Zakirji.

Entertainment rating 9.75/10.

Sangeeta Shankar (Violin)

Attended concert of Sangeeta Shankar (Violin) accompanied by Nandini (Violin), her daughter & Ajit Pathak (Tabla) on 11th Apr 2015 in NCPA, Mumbai with Ravi. This concert was part of 'Saz-e-bahar', a festival specially conceived to provide a window into the range of instruments that adorn the repertoire of Indian classical music.

Organizers informed that violin was brought  to India in 1790 by British. Balusamy Dixitar (brother of Muttusamy Dixitar) introduced violin in Indian classical music.

In first half of the concert Sangeeta presented evening Raag Gorakh Kalyan (गोरख कल्याण). She presented a composition in Tritaal that she dubbed 'beautiful melody'. Solo piece lasted only a couple minutes before Tabla was introduced. She was about supported by her daughter.

In the second half she presented a very traditional Thumri from city of Banaras called 'Bandish ki Thumri (बंदिश की ठुमरी)' in Raag Desh and Taal Keherwa. It was the first time I heard Bandish ki Thumri.

After Thumri she concluded the concert but audience was not satisfied and she was requested to play Bhairavi. So Sangeeta obliged the audience with a composition in Bhairavi (भैरवी) in Taal Dadra.

Sangeetaji is an excellent violinist. She has the finesse. She plays violin with attention to minute detailing. She plays delicately with great detail and plays effortlessly. Unbelievable. Sangeetaji demonstrated why she was nominated for Grammy award.

Young Nandini is also tomorrow's star. She is ready for stage. Her young age, expressive face and skills with violin drew applause and encouragement from audience.

Tabalji was OK. Sangeetaji had to signal him more than once about the requisite speed (लय) and when the Tabla needed tuning. It was just not his day.

This was first time I watched a Hindustani Violin concert. And I would like to hear more. Special mention of audience. Since Sangeetaji was playing delicate and minute notes, audience did not drown the music in clasps but  applauded the artists with wah-wah.

A WOW concert. Entertainment rating 9.25/10.

Raja Miya (Vocal)

Attended concert of Ustad Raja Miya aka Gulam Husnain Khan (Vocal) accompanied by Siddhesh Bicholkar (Samwadini), Yati Bhagwat (Tabla), Naved Khan (his son) & Madhuri Sharma (Tanpura) on 4th Apr 2015 in Chembur, Mumbai. This concert was part of 'Sangeet Samrat Alladiya Khan music festival 2015'.

Concert started with Raag Jayjaywanti (जयजयवंती). In keeping with tradition of Agra gharana he first sung nom-tom (नोम तोम) Aalap then a Vilambit bandish followed by a Drut bandish 'More mandirwa Milo (मोरे मंदिरवा मिलो)'.

Then he presented Raag Nat Bihag (नट बिहाग), a bandish 'Jhan jhan jhan jhan payal (झन् झन् झन् झन् पायल)' in Teen taal.

Upon farmaish (फर्माईश) he presented a Bandish of his Guru 'Sapaneme darasa dikha (सपनेनें दरस दिखा)'.

Finally he presented a Dadra in Bhairavi 'Banao batiya chalo (बनाओ बतिया चलो)' to conclude the concert.

Raja Miya sings very well in Agra gharana's forceful style. I had never heard his name earlier, but liked his singing. I went to the concert without much expectations but was pleasantly surprised. However his voice deteriorated in Bhairavi.

Siddhesh Played very good Harmonium. Ustadji had to tell tabalji multiple times what beat he wants.

The duration of concert was about 1 hr 10 minutes. Attendance was at the start of concert was @ 150 but it dwindled as the concert progressed. I think it was because of timing (it was getting late), not the singer.

A good concert. Entertainment rating 8/10.