The Tabla Troika

It was a rare treat for music lovers on Thursday evening when three young tabla players from different cities and gharanas came together with a superlative ‘Trio Tabla’ recital at a programme organised by Pracheen Kala Kendra at Dr M S Randhawa auditorium,Punjab Kala Bhawan. City-based percussionist Avirbhav Verma of the famous Punjab gharana,Madhuresh Bhatt from Patiala and Rupak Mitra from Kolkata who has mastered the nuances of the Banaras gharana,gave a spell-binding performance. Beginning with traditional starting point Peshkar,the trio gradually unfolded alap -like elaboration,crisp kaidas with rhythmic variations. Sharing a great rapport,they followed the sequence of improvised variations known as Palta,and displayed their skills in reaching the sam with tihais. In their performance,they reflected a restlessness of spirit,a dexterity,a precise approach and artistic endurance — thus captivated the masses instantaneously. They concluded the recital with a drut teen taal piece amid roaring applause. Ravindra Bhatt on the harmonium contributed to the success of the concert.