Brij Narayan, Shubra cast a spell

Brij Narayan, Shubra cast a spell
S.D. Sharma

Chandigarh, March 25
The melody of mesmerising classical vocalism and dexterity of hypnotising instrumental music were at their zenith at the Tagore Theatre on the second day of the 36th All-India Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan organised by the Pracheen Kala Kendra.

The concert began featuring scintillating sarod recital by the young and exuberant Brij Narayan, the foremost disciple of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and illustrious son of renowned sarangi maestro Pandit Ram Narayan. Through an elaborate and melodious alaap, Brij delved deep into the lower and medium octaves to establish the melodic form of raag Yaman Kalyan before a brilliant exposition of its finer nuances in jod and jhalla. Accompanied by Subhash Nirwan on the tabla, he presented two compositions — vilambit and drut set to ek tala and teen tala, respectively, exhibiting the nimble dexterity and indepth knowledge of the musical art. He was at his best while delineating a ‘gat’ in raag Puriya Kalyan before concluding the captivating sarod recital with the romance filled gat in raga Mishar Pilu amid a lofty applause.

After the chief guest, Mr H.K. Dua, Editor-in-Chief of the Tribune Group of Newspapers, accompanied by his wife, honoured artists, Kolkata-based renowned vocalist Shubra Guha took centrestage only to spell magic with the rendition of raag ‘Chhaya Nat.

Gifted with a resonant, mellifluous and richly cultivated voice, Shubra Guha mesmerised the audience.

She displayed a complete index of her versatility and expertise, a forte of her Agra Gharana. Her rendering was notable for the deft manner in which she harnessed the wide range of her voice to create incredible patterns. Shubra had blended the classical conservatism and the dynamic spirit of innovations in her gayaki style as evinced in the next offering “Holi” — “Ji na maaro pichkari” in raag Mishra Kafi, and “Payian laagon tihari sanwaria re” in raag Mishra Pilu. On persistent demand she rendered a Thumri in raag Bhairavi amid an ovation from the audience. Kankana’s “taans” and “sargams” flowed smoothly and the decisive influence of her guru, the legendary Pandit Sunil Bose, was perceptible during her recital.

Mehmood Dhaulpuri and Anup Ghosh provided admirable support on the harmonium and tabla, respectively.

A vocal recital by Haricharan Verma and ballet dance by Mamata Shanker Ballet troupe will provide the grand finale to the festival.