Breathless!

It’s a rich heritage they carry along with them,with pride,dignity and respect for it’s a rare one,and not a very easy one to live up to. When it comes to the world of classical instruments,there are a handful who indulge in a lifelong love affair with them,and even few who choose the shehnai. “It’s one of the most difficult instruments to play for it requires your entire strength and lung power,” say brothers and shehnai players Sanjeev and Ashwani Shankar,in town for the 32nd Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan. With a family tree finding its roots in their legendary grandfather Pt Anant Lal and father Pt Daya Shankar along with a guru in Pt Ravi Shankar,the brothers are the carriers of this rare art form from the Benaras Gharana. The Shankar brothers also have to their credit music scholarships,devotional albums,wide spectrum of international performances along with collaborations with international bands like Schugal Nifty,Ozomatli,Nim Sophyian and background scores in films like Letters from Rishikesh.

“King of the wind instruments,the shehnai is a mangal vaadya and its origins can be traced back to the Vedic era,when it was played in the temples,in front of the Devi Maa,” tells Sanjeev,who says any auspicious occasion begins with the shehnai saaz. Unfortunately,there are very few players of this instrument for “it’s not something you can master in four or five years. It takes years,patience and practise to master this instrument and it can be only done under proper guidance,” they feel,trying to make the ‘king of flute’ popular among the masses by increasing its laya and tempo. From a folk sound to a revered classical instrument,the shehani has come a long way,so watch the musicians go breathless playing it at the Sammelan.