Pt. Brij Narayan (Sarod)

Attended a concert of Pt. Brij Narayan (Sarod) accompanied by Dr. Aneesh Pradhan (Tabla, disciple of Pt. Nikhil Ghosh) at 39th Sangeet Samrat Alladiyakhan music festival on 10th April 2016.

Brij Narayan (His own style) hails from Mumbai and is disciple of Pt. Ram Narayan, Pt. Chaturthi Lal & Ust. Ali Akbar Khan.

Main Raag of the concert was morning Raag Komal Rishabh Asavari (आसावरी). He started with Aalap (आलाप) followed by Jod (जोड) and then Jhala (झाला). Brij Narayan ji made eye contact with the audience during recital. Then he presented a Gat (गत) when Tabla joined in. Audience applauded his Chakradhar (चक्रधर) & Tihai's (तिहाई). Sawal - Jawab (सवाल जवाब) of Sarod and Tabla were entertaining. It was Teen Taal (तीन ताल). First in madhyalay (मध्यलय), then drut (दृत) & then ati drut (अति दृत). Audience gave a long sustained applause.

Second Raag of the concert was Raag Mishra Pilu (मिश्र पिलू). It was a beautiful rendition.

Concert concluded with a Bandish (बंदिश) of Ust. Allauddin Khan in Raag Pilu (पिलू) in drut Teen Taal.

Brij Narayan ji has an expressive face. His expressions and eye contact with audience engage them in the concert and augments enjoyment.

Anishji played a different kind of Tabla. He was more forceful than usual. It might be an adjustment for sound of Sarod. His understanding and anticipation of what artist is going to play is amazing.

Surprisingly organizers did not use pick up microphone for this concert as well as for previous Sitar concert.

Around 125 people attended the concert and it lasted for about 1 hr 20 min.

Trivia: Brij Narayan is the son of Sarangi player Pt. Ram Narayan.
He was accompanied by his son Harsh Narayana (who is a Sarangi player) on Tanpura.

Entertainment rating 8.75/10.

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.