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.

Pallavi Pote (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Pallavi Pote (Vocal) accompanied by Milind Pote (Tabla, disciple of Pt. Suresh Talwalkar) and Siddhesh Bicholkar (Harmonium, disciple of Pt. Tulsidas Borkar) at 39th Sangeet Samrat Alladiyakhan music festival on 9th April 2016 with Ravi.

Pallavi Pote (Gwalior, Kirana & Jaipur Gharana) hails from Pune and is disciple of Pt. Madhusudan Bhave, Madhuri Oak, Vidushi Alka Deo-Marulkar, Pt. Suhas Datar & Vidushi Jayashree Patnekar.

Bada Khyal of the concert was Raag Multani (मुलतानी) of Todi That (तोडी थाट). She presented Bandish 'He Gokul ka chora (हे गोकुल का छोरा)' in Vilambit Teen taal (तीन ताल). Most part was in the higher octaves.

She then presented a short bandish in drut Teen Taal (तीन ताल) that sounded like 'More mani (मोरे मनी)'. The words were not decipherable. It was a fast composition liked by audience.

Chota Khyal of the concert was dwitiya prahar (द्वितीय प्रहर) Jod Raag Tilak Kamod (तिलक कामोद) of Khamaj That (खमाज थाट). She presented 'Sur sangat (सूर संगत)' in madhya lay Roopak (रूपक) Taal.

Concert concluded with a Krishna bhajan (कृष्ण भजन) 'Gao sab mil mangal (गाओ सब मिल मंगल)'.

Pallavi ji's voice was shaky at the beginning and audience became nervous but she recovered quickly and got back in tune. She used Aakar (आकार) for the badhat of the Raag's.

Understanding between Pallavi and Milind was outstanding. It helps being spouses. Siddhesh was applauded by artists as well as public for his Harmonium.

Duration of concert was 1 hr and attendance was @ 120.

Trivia: Pallavi is grand daughter of Pt. Ram Marathe.

Entertainment rating 8/10.

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/

Rajendra Gangani (Kathak)

Attended a concert of Pt. Rajendra Gangani (Kathak) accompanied by ensemble of musicians on 12th Dec 2015 at Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, Pune with Alhad kaka, Dilip kaka and Vinita kaku.

Rajendraji is trained in the Jaipur Gharana by his father. He also has a rare mastery over the tabla, harmonium & pakhawaj.

Rajendraji made a swirling entry to the applause of audience. His energy is amazing. He danced almost for 1.15 hrs and also managed to say bols and make announcements. By having a dialogue with audience he took the audience with him on joy ride. He drew many applauses.

He displayed amazing foot work and graceful movements. He performed on Uthans (उठान), Parans (परन), Bandishes(बंदिश), Mukhdas (मुखडा) and tihais (तिहाई).

He even created sound of rain through sound of his ghungroos while dancing. He displayed various moods with his facial expressions, body language and dancing.

His jugalbandi and sawal-jawab with tabalji Azad were especially mention worthy.

Concert ended with a dance on bhajan of Surdas. This bhajan was commemorating Guru, a gurubhajan.

The live music with Lehra, Tabla and Vocals was good. Rajendraji frequently advised them about the speed he needed from them.

Trivia - Organizers had to stop the sale of tickets for the day due to huge audience response.

A very different, good, amazing and entertaining performance.

Entertainment rating 9/10.

Ragunandan Panshikar (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Ragunandan Panshikar (Vocal) accompanied by Tanmay Deochake (Samwadini), Prashant Pandav (Tabla) on 12th Dec 2015 at Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, Pune with Makarand, Shilpa, Alhad kaka, Dilip Kaka and Vinita kaku.

Ragunandan Panshikar is a vocalist from Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. He is the son of the eminent Marathi stage actor Prabhakar Panshikar and a disciple of Gaan Saraswati Smt. Kishori Amonkar and late Gaan Tapaswini Smt. Mogubai Kurdikar.

Concert started with Raag Bhup (भूप). He presented 'Pratham sur saje (प्रथम सुर साजे)' in vilambit tritaal. As the raag progressed the beats became 1.25 and 1.5 times faster.

Then he moved seamlessly without break into the famous bandish (बंदिश) made famous by his Guru Kishoriji 'Sehela re aa mil ja re (सहेला रे आ मिल जा रे)'. Audience applauded the transition and start of bandish spontaneously.

He then asked audience for farmaish for concluding item. Audience demanded bhajan (भजन). He willingly fulfilled the request by inviting Mauli Talwalkar (A regular accompanist of Bhimsenji). The abhang e presented was 'Padmanabha Narayana (पद्मनाभा नारायणा)'.

Raghunandanji sung very well. His Aalap and taan (तान) were very good. He resisted the temptation of drut singing. It was my first time hear him and I would not mind another opportunity.

Prashant and Tanmay are well known names in classical music circles and they played to their reputation.

Trivia - The pendal constructed for the festival had an area of 90,000 sq ft. Being open air, the sound system was very good.

Entertainment rating 8.5/10.

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

Devaki Pandit (Vocal)

Attended concert of Vidushi Devaki Pandit (Vocal) accompanied by Sudhir Nayak (Samwadini), Girish Nalawade (Tabla) & Manisha Joshi (Tanpura) on 5th Apr 2015 in Chembur, Mumbai. I attended the concert with Ravi. This concert was part of 'Sangeet Samrat Alladiya Khan music festival 2015'.

Concert started with early morning Raag Yamani Bilawal (यमनी बिलावल). Never heard this raag earlier. She presented composition 'Prem galiyan mein (प्रेम गलियन् में)' in Rupak taal.

Then she presented bandish 'Mangal gao (मंगल गाओ)' composed by Pt. Babanrao Haldankar in Raag Alhaiya Bilawal (अलहैया बिलावल) and in Tritaal.

Then she presented Raag Hindol Pancham (हिंदोळ पंचम) in Jhaptal and later presented a tarana (तराना) also composed by Pt. Bananrao Haldankar in Tritaal.

Upon request of organizers she finally presented a Bhajan 'Kitak din Hari sumiran bin (कितक दिन हरी सुमिरन बिन)' of Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki in Raag Charukeshi.

Devakiji demonstrated mastery over the entire range of swars. She knew exactly which swar she wanted to go to and reached there effortlessly while demonstrating the minute details. She was in complete command of every swar. Amazing!

I would like to attend a more concerts of Devkiji. Previously I had heard her sing light music, this was the first time for classical. She was too good.

Sudhirji was appreciated by Devakiji and the audience regularly. He was too good. Tabla played only a supporting role.

There was noise in the sound system on a few occasions breaking the concentration of artists and audience.

The duration of concert was about 1.5 hr minutes. It was a full house of 400+.

An excellent concert. Entertainment rating 9.25/10.

Pandit Jasraj (Vocal)

Mandar's concert report

Attended a concert of Pt Jasraj (vocal) assisted by Pt Ramkumar (tabla- he is grandson of legendary anokelal), Parthasarathi (pakhawaj), Mukund (sanvadini- he is disciple of Appasaheb Jalgaokar), Ratan Mohan Sharma ( tanpura & vocals- he is nephew of Jasraj) & Preeti (tanpura & vocals) at DUCTAC, Dubai on 21st December 2013 with Aditi, Thangaokar family, Banchhode family, Amit, Prakash, Ashok, Yashodhan and Raju.

Concert started with alap followed by 'Shyam murari' then 'Mata kali ma' then a Thumri 'kaun raag'  and finally bhajan 'Govindam'. Audience requested him to sing Darbari but he declined sighting shortage of time and making use of a bit of humor.

Panditji sung very well and demonstrated so many variations in lower, middle & upper octaves that the audience was left spellbound. It was as if he was peeling music layer by layer for the audience and showing the intricacies and beauty of each layer.

All the compositions presented by Panditji were devotional. His ability to control and hold his breath, even at the age of 83, is amazing. His kharja (खर्ज) was especially good. Age has not impacted his singing ability. His voice was not at its best at the start. I could sense slight noise in his voice. But then it improved with time and was back to normal by the time alap ended.

Panditji kept giving looks & instructions to Ratan giving impression that he was not singing to expectations. Sanvadini player sat in Vajrasan (वज्रासन) for the entire duration and played nimbly. Tabalji and Pakhwajiya were good and were applauded by audience frequently. Tabalji, especially, was too good.

An excellent concert. Rating 8.75/10