A splendid mix of vocal and instrumental music

NAGPUR: Music lovers had their bag full as artistes presented with aplomb thumris, dadra and

Mohan Veena

in the latest edition of Brahmanaad at South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Civil Lines, on a shivering Sunday morning.

At the outset, the gathering of music lovers paid tributes to classical singers Girija Devi and Suhasini Koratkar, who passed away recently, by observing a minute’s silence.

The programme began with the melodious rendition of thumris and dadra, made popular by legends like Girija Devi and Shobha Gurtu, by Nagpur-based vocalist Suchismita Shewlikar. Suchismita began her musical journey in her childhood days and is known for her cassette of songs on Tagore and giving playback to television serials. She was accompanied on tabla by

Nilesh Khode

and on harmonium by Shrikant Pise.

Delhi-based Ajay Jha then took the stage to enthrall the listeners with his command over Mohan Veena. He chose raga Ahir Bhairav to begin his performance, playing aalap, jod, jhaala and two bandish in vilambit taal and drut teen taal. He was accompanied on tabla by

Ravi Shankar Singh

, a disciple of Akram Khan Singh.

Jha has studied under stalwarts like Krishnakant Jha, Shyamal Kumar Banerjee, Vishwamohan Bhatt and is now taking lesson from Pandit Parthodas.

Jha then presented raga Prabhat and concluded by playing popular bhajans ‘Vaishnava jana to’ and ‘Raghupati raghav raja ram’.

Shweta Shelgaonkar anchored the programme.

Divisional Commissioner Anoop Kumar took to stage between two performances and delivered a heartfelt speech, recollecting memories of Girija Devi.

Kumar said, “We had invited Girija Devi for the opening session when Brahmanaad resumed in 2015 after a break. Her scintillating performance of ‘Deewana kiye Shyam’ made me invite her to Kalidas Mahotsav as well.

“An exponent of Banaras tradition, she gave a separate identity to semi-classical music by including indigenous words from East Uttar Pradesh. She linked folk and classical music and took the soul of thumri out from mere aesthetics to spirituality,” he said, adding that there will be no one like Girija Devi.

Quotes with mugs

I love the concept of ‘Brahmanaad’ held in natural environment. Suchismita presented great vocals and Anoop Kumar’s speech on Girija Devi was well-worded

Uday Gupte | physician

‘Brahmanaad has been offering us a rhythmical treat since years, and I am one of its grateful members in the city

Sandeep Gurbule

| musician

Usually one gets to listen to only evening ragas as most concerts are held in evenings. Thanks to ‘Brahmanaad’, the artistes today exposed us to mornings ragas, a treat to all

Avaneendra Sheolikar | sitarist