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.

Swar Nakshatra (स्वर नक्षत्र)

Mandar's concert report

Attended concert titled "Swar Nakshatra (स्वर नक्षत्र)". Singers of the evening were Pradnya Deshpande & Pt. Hemant Pendse (a disciple of Pt. Jeetendra Abhisheki) accompanied by Dr. Narendra Chiplunkar (Samvadini), Kedar Paranjpe (Keyboard), Rajeev Hasabnees (Tabla), Manoj Bhandvalkar (Pakhwaj), Rajendra Salunkhe (Side rhythm) on 30th Jan 2015. The program was anchored by Ravindra Khare. This program was organized at Indira Sanskritik hall, Phaltan (फलटण) by Yashwant Co-op Bank Ltd to commemorate anniversary of their Kolki-Phaltan branch. I attended the program with my father. Format of the program was interesting. They had selected a few raagas and presented 2-3 songs of each one.

Concert started with Raag Yaman (यमन). Three songs in Yaman were presented. 'Sundar te dhyan (सुंदर ते ध्यान)', 'Man re parasi Hari ke charan' and Babuji's 'Jeevalaga kadhi re yeshil tu (जीवलगा कधीरे येशील तू)'.

Second raag was Bhoop (भूप). Pu. La. Deshpande's 'Maze jeevan gane (माझे जीवन गाणे)', Sudhir Phadke's 'Jyoti kalash jhalke (ज्योती कलश )', 'Dhund madhumati (धुंद मधुमती)', Pt. Abhisheki's 'Abeer gulal (अबीर गुलाल)' (This was a different rendition of the song from what I have heard earlier, I liked this one very much), 'Rang rang rangli.... Radha' probably of Master Krishnarao (मास्टर कृष्णराव) and finally 'Marmabandhatli thev hi (मर्मबंधातली ठेव ही)' of Dinanath Mangeshkar from play Sanyasta Khadg'

Next raag was Puriya Dhanashree (पुरीया धनश्री). Two songs were presented. 'Payaliya jhanaka..(पायलिया झनका..)' (The song was cut short after aalap) and 'Jeevalaga rahile re.. (जीवलगा राहिलेरे)'

Then came Khat. Khat is a mixture of six ragas. They presented 'Surat piya ki chin bisraye..(सुरत पियाकी छिन बिसराये)' Composed by Pt. Abhisheki from play 'Katyar kaljat ghusli'.

Next raag was Charukeshi (चारूकेशी). First song was 'Rutu hirwa rutu barva' written by Shanta Shelke and composed by Shreedhar Phadke. Then they presented 'He surano Chandra vha.. (हे सुरांनो चंद्र व्हा)' written by Kusumagraj from play Yayati-Devyani. Then a virani of Mirabai 'Neenda nahi ave ji (निंद नहीं आवे जी)' was presented with accompaniment of Harmonium and chords on key board without any percussion instrument.

Then came raag Pilu (पिलु). They presented a gavlan sadrush (गवळण सदृश) song composed by Pt. Pendse, 'Kashi jau mi vrundavana (कशी जाऊ मी वृंदावना)' on pre-recorded music track. Next came famous 'Nahi punyachi mojni..(नाही पुण्ण्याची मोजणी)' and finally they presented a Gharandaj Lavni 'Ka ho dharila majwar raag.. (काहो धरीला मजवर राग)'. Lavni requires dholki and there was no dholki. So tabalji played dholki pieces on Tabla. Interesting!

Last section was Abhang (अभंग). First composition was Janabai's 'Sant bhar Pandharit..(संत भार पंढरीत)' followed by apratim virani of Tukaran maharaj 'Bheti lage jeeva laglise aas.... (भेटीलागे जीवा)'. The program ended with a Bhairavi (भैरवी) 'Kaivalyachya chandanyala... (कैवल्याच्या चांदण्याला..)'

I would have liked if they had also given an introduction of each raag before first song, rather than going to the songs directly. I would have also liked to see a few duets. Although they had male and female singers, both sung solo songs.

Pradnya Deshpande had chosen all her songs in higher octave. She could have chosen a few in lower octave to demonstrate that she can sing in lower octaves. Pt. Hemant Pendse sung very well. Especially the songs with more classical base and the bandishes (बंदिश).

Anchor was a very knowledgeable person. His study of sant (संत) literature and current events was evident and he had a knack of quoting the quotes and poems most appropriately and with authority. He also provided interesting nuggets of interesting information. He was an ideal anchor that anchors but doors not overshadow.

All the musicians played well. Dr. Chiplunkar on Samvadini was the best. All in all a pleasing experience.

Auditorium was in a state of disrepair and unless something is done soon, it would not remain good enough for programs.

I had no plans to attend a concert this week end. It was an impromptu decision that turned out to be a good one.

Entertainment rating 8/10.