“Indian music had indeed become ‘global music’. This ‘world’  music is firmly rooted in this country and we are the richer for it!”

These were the words of Dr. John Marr the well know musicologist of the Bharatha Vidya Bavan when he addressed the gathering at the ‘Sound of India – Series II’ concert organised by Sangeet Kala Academy at the Bhavan Centre, last month.

Sangeet Kala Academy Sound of India

The Academy’s focus in nurturing outstanding musicians has unfailingly produced extraordinary artist interactions and results, as we saw in their first series when they brought together Ken Zuckerman and Nina Virdee.  But Series II was exceptional,  featuring emerging artists from the younger generation, the Saxophonist Jesse Bannister and Sarod virtuoso Soumik Dutta.   The duo kept the audience spellbound with a masterful jugalbandhi which saw the two musicians in a splendid musical blend perfectly tuned to each other’s aesthetic and musical visions.  They played Raag ‘Gauri’ with utmost sensitivity, making the jugalbandhi a meaningful dialogue of sheer beauty and joy.  The leisurely alap created a hallowed atmosphere for the evening which then progressed into an inventive dialogue , encapsulating a ‘ picture of the red sun as it dips down the horizon’  as described by Soumik’s guru Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta. The performance was interspersed with well synchronised accompaniment on the tabla by another rising star , Bhupinder Chhagger.    Soumik’s technical mastery and Jesse’s inventive flourishes showcased a perfect understanding between the two talented youngsters.  Raag Gauri was followed by a beautiful rendition of Raag Hansdhwani.

Sangeet Kala Academy Sound of India

Sangeet Kala Academy was established with a vision to promote and nurture Indian culture. The evening showcased some of their very young students who are indeed very promising.  The Raagmalika Sargam and Raag Bhupali by Advait Banerjee showed maturity and great promise. His taan execution far belied his age!
Another rising artist Ranjana Ghatak, a disciple of Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty recited a melodious thumri ‘Rang Leke Piya Lalchaye’  in Raag Manj Khamaj followed by a Bhajan. ‘ Kamal Nayan Bhale Raam’.   Her training at Shrutinandan was evident in her recital.  Shrutinandan  specialises in the fine art of transforming young talent into professional artists!  This is one vocalist to watch out for in the coming years!
The second part of the evening showed the genius of the founding member of Sangeet Kala Academy, Chiranjib Chakraborty.  He recited a delightful Khayal in Raag Malkauns.  Gifted with a melodious voice, he produced mature, sustained and full throated phrase development in khayal. This made for an exhilarating recital with wonderful accompaniment on the harmonium by Fida Hussein and mesmerising tabla accompaniment by Rajkumar Misra.
The quality of his voice delivery was astounding.  Chiranjib added his own aesthetic interpretation to the traditional rendering with a well modulated voice. He concluded with a beautiful Bhajan in Raag Mishra Bhairavi to bring a most memorable recital to an end.

Sangeet Kala Academy Sound of India

The entire evening demonstrated the genius or its flowering in all performers. Sangeet Kala Academy’s vision of harmonising ‘Sangeet’ and ‘Kala’ has indeed seen fulfilment through this Series.

A Confluence reviewer