Sitar recital has all in thrall

Chandigarh: The music lovers of the city beautiful were treated to a sparkling sitar recital by Supratik Sen Gupta in a special programme organized by Pracheen Kala Kendra on Wednesday. The Bhaskar Rao Indoor Auditorium reverberated in an ebb and flow between the melodious strains from the masterful performance and the applause of the audience. Supratik kept audience spellbound by the sheer and clean beauty of his skillful fingers racing the length of the sitar.
Supratik began recital with the quiet dignity of the methodical and reposeful alap in Raga "Miyan ki Malhar". This was followed by jod-alap and jod-jhala, which were a variant of the usual sitar playing. His touch, strokes, glides and subsequent production of tonal and microtonal effects points to his sound training. He then moved on to present "to gat in Rupak Tal drut (fast)" composition in a cycle of 16 beats (teen taal). Surdasi Malhar in Madhya Laya teen tal was his next in which his beautiful rendition kept the audience wanting more. Supratik concluded his recital with a Dhun in Raga Kirwani amid thunderous applause. Supratik's sensitive yet controlled handling of the instrument was testimony to his talent and dedication to music. His rhythmic and melodic vitality shone throughout his performance. The rhythm on the tabla was marked by Sourabh Goho from Kolkata.