Promising fare by generation next

PUNE, Dec 13: The mellifluous strains of the shehnai ushered in the second day of the 46th Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav as Sharad Khaladkar played raag Gorakh Kalyan at the Ganesh Kala Kreeda Rangmanch on Friday. The evening clearly belonged to 8220;generation next8221; as Krishna 8211; daughter of Gangubai Hangal, Shaunak 8211; son of late Pandit Jeetendra Abhisheki and Shujat Husain Khan 8211; son of Ustad Vilayat Khan followed each other on the stage, enthralling audience with their distinctive singing styles.

Krishna Hangal of the Kirana gharana who replaced sarangi-player Sultan Khan in the schedule, flagged off the classical vocal section with Raag Yaman followed by a bandish in raag Suha, ably accompanied on the harmonium by veteran Appasaheb Jalgaonkar. With the promise of continuing his father8217;s practice of presenting unique compositions on this festival platform, Shaunak Abhisheki commenced with khayal based on the less-sung raag Harikans which, he informed the audience, had been taught by its creator the legendary Bade Ghulam Ali Khan to his father. After a rendition of raag Hindol-Bahar in his clear and mature voice, the audience was treated to a raagmala followed by the natyageet, Mazhe Jeevan Gaane. Renowned vocalist Parveen Sultana who despite being unwell 8211; she had viral flu 8211; did not disappoint her fans. Sultana struck an immediate rapport with the audience as she launched with full-throated ease into raag Maarubihaag supported once again by Appasaheb on the harmonium. Sheobviously missed the easy informality of the previous venue as she remarked, motioning the audience who sat huddled in their seats or on the ground that she feel a sense of distance between them and her. The amazing range and flexibility of her voice were on display as she rendered a tarana in Raag Hamsadhwani followed by a bandishi thumri in raag mishra khamaj. Rasika tuzhyachsaathi rendered in her inimitable style touched a responsive chord in the audience.

Sandeepan Samajpati, an upcoming Calcutta-based vocalist and disciple of Pandit Manas Chakravarty started with raag Baageshri and ushered in the dawn with raag Lalat sung in a deep baritone. With his nimble fingers, sitar-player Shujat Hussain Khan wove his special brand of magic playing raag bairagi bhairav with tabla-player Mukesh Jadhav matching him move for move. He rounded off his performance by singing a pahadi dhun. As the early morning sun smudged the horizon, grande dame of the Kirana gharana, Gangubai Hangal made her appearance. With Appasaheb on the harmonium and daughter Krishna providing vocal support, Hangal opened with raag Ahir Bhairav and sang a bhairavi thumri in the same raag. True to the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal8217;s tradition of encouraging young talent, upcoming vocalist Rahul Deshpande was awarded the Dattopant Deshpande Smriti Puraskar by vocalist Shrikant Deshpande during the course of the evening. As the crowds spilled out the next morning, having beentreated to a rich fare of accomplished as well as upcoming artistes, it was with the recollection of an evening spent memorably.