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.

Shashwati Mandal (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Shashwati Mandal (Vocal) accompanied by Abhay Datar (Tabla - disciple of Bhai Gaytonde) and Niranjan Lele (Harmonium- disciple of Pt. Tulsidas Borkar) at 39th Sangeet Samrat Alladiyakhan music festival on 8th April 2016.

Shashwati Mandal (Gwalior Gharana) hails from Mumbai. She is disciple of Pt. Balasaheb Poonchwale, Pt. Madhup Mudgal, Vidushi Paurnima Chaudary & Gundecha brothers.

Bada Khyal of the concert was Raga Malgunji (मालगुंजी). It's said that this is a complex Raag and it belongs to Khamaj that (खमाज थाट). It was first time I heard this Raag in a live concert. She presented Bandish 'Ban mein charawat gaiyan (बन में चरावत गैयाँं)' in vilambit Teen taal (तीन ताल). Her slow and methodic rendition was excellent and was appreciated.

She then presented a Bandish 'Nirpat sabahu bach hare (निरपत सबहू बच हारे)' which is a description of Seeta swayamwar.

It was followed by Tarana (तराना) 'Dhim dhim tana dere na dhim (धीम धीम तना देरे ना धीम)'. Audience appreciated it very much. There was a big applause at the end.

She then chose to sing a very very rare Sankeerna Raag Nat Kamod (नट कामोद) considered exclusivity of Jaipur Atrauli Gharana (Not her Gharana). She chose this one because Alladiya Khan is founder of Jaipur Atrauli Gharana. Again my first time to hear this Raag live. She presented bandish 'Nevar baajo (नेवर बाजो)' very skillfully and audience, many of whom are from Jaipur Atrauli Gharana, appreciated it. My research tells me that this is the only bandish in this Raag i.e. this Raag is sustained by one bandish. Such a rare thing.

She then presented a very rare kind of Tappa called Tappa without Taal (टप्पा विना ताल) 'Miya mainu chand chala (मियाँं मैनूं छाँंड चला)' in Raag Mand (मांड). Again my first time.

She concluded the concert with Tap Bandish (टप बंदिश) of Kumar Gandharva 'O dildara aa ja re (ओ दिलदारा आजा रे)' in Raag Khamaj (खमाज). She dedicated it to him, as it was his birthday. It was very good. Again my first time for Tap bandish live.

Shashwati sung very well. She played Tanpura while singing. Her Bol-Taans (बोल तान) were particularly impressive. She also used Aakars and Sargam. Wow, she sung everything so well, audience was literally mesmerized. Audience who was tentative in the beginning became her fan by the time concert ended.

Tabalji was very good and so was the Harmonium player. However Shashwati was so good that one did not notice them.

Organizers, sensing the public mood, requested her to sing more thereby increasing the length of concert and amount of joy.

This was a very special concert. It was my first time to listen to Malgunji, Nat Kamod, Tappa without Taal & Tap Bandish live. A very rare and memorable treat indeed. It would be remembered for its exclusivity.

She came, she saw, she won is an apt description of the concert. After listening to this concert, I did not feel like listening to any other concert for rest of the day and left.

Trivia: Shashwati is grand daughter of Pt. Balabhu Umdekar.
Audience of this festival was knowledgeable (जाणकार) and clapped only when there was something special.

Entertainment rating 9.25/10.

Varsha Sohoni (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Varsha Sohoni (Vocal) accompanied by Pushkaraj Joshi (Tabla, disciple of Vishwanat Shirodkar) and Supriya Joshi (Harmonium, disciple of Seema Shirodkar) at 39th Sangeet Samrat Alladiyakhan music festival on 8th April 2016.

Varsha Sohoni (Jaipur Atrauli Gharana) hails from Mumbai. She is disciple of Kamal Tambe & Pt. Madhusudan Kanetkar.

Bada Khyal of the concert was Jod Raag Lalita Gauri (ललिता गौरी). It's a combination of Raag Lalit and Raag Gauri. She presented Bandish 'Pitam saiyan (पितम सैयाँं)'' in Vilambit Teen taal (तीन ताल). She mainly used Aakar (आकार) for the badhat (बढत) of the Raag.

Then she presented a fast composition 'Mora mana har (मोरा मन हर)'. Tabalji got to show his skill in this composition. Audience liked it.

She then presented a Tarana 'Tana dere denna denna (तन देरे देन्ना देन्ना)' in Raag Basant (बसंत). Audience generally loves Tarana and so it did.

Concert concluded with a Kajri (कजरी) 'Siya sang jhoole bagiyan mein (सीया संग झूले बगियाँंमें)' made famous by Girija Devi.

Experts in the audience felt that, of Raag Lalita Gauri, Varsha rendered Lalit part very well but had to hurry through the rendering of Gauri part due to time limitation.

Pushkaraj played Taba as required. An ideal accompaniment. Supriya's harmonium was appreciated by the singer. She played well.

Concert duration was about hour. Some more time would have been welcome.

Trivia: This years festival was dominated by vocalists. 17 out of 22 concerts were Vocal.

Entertainment rating 8/10.

Vrushali Kulkarni (Kathak)

Attended a concert of Vrushali Kulkarni (Kathak) organized by Anubhooti at Embassy of India auditorium, Abu Dhabi, on 29th Jan 2016. Attendance was more than 130.

Vrushali Kulkarni (Kathak) is a Nrityavisharad and is trained in Lucknow and Jaipur Gharana. This was her first international performance.

She started with Shiv vandana (शिव वंदना) composed by Pt. Bindadin maharaj and choreographed by Pt. Rohini Bhate.

Then she presented Uthan (उठान) and Amad (आमद) in vilambit Teen taal (विलंबित तीन ताल) followed by two types of Paran (परन) in madhya lay Teen taal (मध्यलय तीन ताल) followed by Toda (तोडा), Tukde (तुकडे), Kavitt (कवित्त) and Ginati (गिनती) in drut Teen taal (दृत तीन ताल).

She then presented an Anwat Rachana choreographed by Rohini Bhate (रोहिणी भाटे) that included a Tarana (तराणा) followed by Samadhun Geet 'Lagan lagi (लगन लगी)'.

Concert concluded with Abhinay paksha (अभिनय पक्ष) a Geet on Radha Krishna (राधा कृष्ण) 'Zulat Radhe Navalkishor (झूलत राधे नवलकिशोर)' written by Pt. Bindadin maharaj, composed by Pt. Birju maharaj (बिरजू महाराज) and choreographed by Pt. Rohini Bhate. It was the best item of the concert.

Vrushali displayed good expressions and fluid movements. She made full and effective use of stage. Her acting in the last item was fantastic. She created the visuals of Krishna growing up through her acting and dance.

Vrushali used recorded music for the program thus making it a really solo performance. Organizers distributed a leaflet explaining her presentations thus making it easy to understand. Vrushali narrated between the presentations and despite dancing she was not breathless.

She is a dancer with potential.

Entertainment rating 9/10.

Disclosure: I am a founder member of Anubhooti.

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.