Three captivating and rapturous evenings with some of the best names in Indian classical music - Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Neela Bhagwat, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, Pandit Rajan and Sajan Misra, Arti Ankalikar-Tikekar and Ustad Rashid Khan. Some on vocals, some on instruments. Accompanying them were an entourage of backup singers, tabla and tanpoora artistes and other instrument players.
Pandit Jasraj and his entourage with his "Ram ko Ram banaya tumne - O mere laella" was just phenomenal. I was spellbound with the energy, the enthusiasm and the overall orchestration. Time stood still!! Simply Superb!!
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan on Sarod was magnificent!! Seeing and hearing him play is one thing, seeing and hearing him talk and converse with the audience is something else altogether... He exudes so much gentleness and warmth - it's much soothing just to hear him talk- more than his finesse of playing an instrument, it's his human finesse that blew me away. Not to mention, that hearing him play his Sarod sends you in a different orbit altogether.
Neela Bhagwat and Arti Ankalikar-Tikekar on vocals singing the raagas were simply phenomenal. So were Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, Pandit Rajan and Sajan Misra and Ustad Rashid Khan - all on vocals, all marvellous. Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia on flute was melodious as usual.
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma provided the encore on his Santoor. Boy, for a time I was transplanted to the peaks and valleys of Kashmir.
There is so much sweetness and melody in Indian classical music in its pristine form. I hope I get to hear more and more of such beautiful sangeet in the years to come.
Salaam and Pranaam to the maestros!!
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