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.

Vidushi Kalapini Komkali (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Vidushi Kalapini Komkali (Vocal) accompanied by Yati Bhagwat (Tabla) and Niranjan Lele (Harmonium) at 39th Sangeet Samrat Alladiyakhan music festival on 10th April 2016.

Kalapini Komkali (Gwalior Gharana) is daughter of Pt. Kumar Gandharva. She hails from Dewas. She is disciple of Pt. Kumar Gandharva and Vidushi Vasundhara Komkali.

Kalapniji's chosen Raag for the concert was late afternoon Raag Multani (मुलतानी) of Todi That (तोडी थाट).

1st bandish, Bada Khyal, was 'Begi ya (बेगी या)' in Vilambit Tritaal (त्रिताल). Audience listened to her forceful rendition with rapt attention.

2nd bandish was 'Lagi lagi re sawariyan (लागी लागी रे सावरियाँं)' in Madhyalay Tritaal (त्रिताल).

3rd bandish was a fast composition 'Dil bekarar (दिल बेकरार)' composed by Pt. Kumar Gandharva in drut Tritaal (त्रिताल).

Kalapini ji presented three Bandishes non stop. Audience wanted to applaud, but she did not give them a chance until the end of third. Then she accepted a big applause.

Second Raag of concert was Raag Bhup (भूप) She presented a Madhyalay Rachana 'Abeer gulal (अबिर गुलाल)' composed by Pt. Kumar Gandharva.

Concert concluded with a very old traditional Madhyalay tarana, a rarity, as most Tarana are drut lay. Interesting! First time for me.

Concert was to end here but audience wanted another composition of few more minutes. She acceded and presented a Chaiti (चैती) 'Pattiyan (पत्तियाँं)'.

Yati and Niranjan accompanied well and were appreciated by Kalapini ji. Their jugalbandi drew audience applause.

When Kalapiniji was about to start the concert, someone pointed out that the announcement is still balance. She gracefully waited till it was over won the audience by her crisp commentary.

Needless to say that she sung well and powerful singing was appreciated. After the end of concert an old lady approached her and told her that she reminded her of Kumarji. What other compliment does one required. Yours truly happened to witness this exchange.

It was a house full concert.

Entertainment rating 8.75/10.

Dr. Monica Shah (Vocal)

Attended concert of Dr. Monica Shah (Vocal) accompanied by Niranjan Lele (Samwadini), Bhushan Parchure (Tabla), Sneha Gosawi & Darshana Purohit (Tanpura) on 4th Apr 2015 in Chembur, Mumbai. This concert was part of 'Sangeet Samrat Alladiya Khan music festival 2015'.

Concert started with Raag Puriya Dhanashree (पुरीया धनश्री). She sung two compositions. First was 'Dagari laga (डगरी लगा), not sure of lyrics. She built the bandish note by note as if she had all the time in the world, without hurrying. Second composition was 'Panaghatwa jane na paun (पनघटवा जाने ना पाऊँ)' in madhyalay teen taal. Surprisingly audience did not clap at the end of first bandish, but rectified it at the end of second bandish.

Then she presented Raag Kirwani (किरवाणी). She sung a bandish of her guru Pandit Rasiklal Andharia (पं. रसिकलाल अंधारीया), 'Tore bin mohe chain nahi brij ke Nandlala (तोरे बिन मोहे चैन नहीं ब्रिजके नंदलाला).

She ended the concert with a Chaiti (चैती) of her guru Girijadevi 'Chait mas bole re koyaliya (चैत मास बोलेरे कोयलिया)'. I had never heard Chaiti live previously. It was good.

It was the first time I heard name of Dr. Monica Shah. She sung well and was well prepared. To my untrained ears, it appeared that while singing in upper octaves, she sings in falseto.

Accompanying artists were good. I think tabalji missed a beat once. Harmonium was good.

Audience was miser while applauding. Probably they expected more. The duration of concert was about 1 hr 10 minutes. Attendance was @ 125.

An OK concert. Entertainment rating 7/10.

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