Hindustani music lovers were treated to an excellent concert by outstanding musicians at the two-day ITC SRA Sangeet Sammelan 2010, which was held in the City recently.

The ITC Sangeet Research Academy was established in 1978 with the objective of preserving and promoting Hindustani classical music. “Our main objective is to revive and nurture India’s rich heritage of Hindustani classical music. We believe that to nurture the past is to build the future. More importantly, our guru-shishya form of interaction embodies the underlying philosophy and spirit of this art form,” says Ravi Mathur, executive director of the Academy. The performers for the evening were Samarth Nagarkar, a past scholar and vocalist Ustad Shahid Parvez on the sitar and Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, a well-known guru, also on vocals.

Samarth Nagarkar, originally from Bangalore, was initiated into Raga Sangeet by Aditi Kaikini Upadhya. His rendition of two raags Shree and Dadra in raag Khamaj was simply superb. “Bangalore is my hometown and audiences here are among the best in the country. In fact, all musicians take them very seriously as they are so passionate and well-informed,” said Samarth.

Ustad Shahid Parvez performed Gavati Des on the sitar and the first-day programme concluded with Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar’s vocal performance. His was a delightful rendition of raags Basanth Bahar, Tilak Kamodh and Bhairavi.

Day two of the Sammelan brought in rasikas of all ages. The evening began with a felicitation of veteran violinist Lalgudi Jayaram. Going down memory lane, he said, “If possible, I would like to be reborn a violinist,” adding, “If I have another 25 years of life left, I would want to immerse myself further in my music.”

The concert witnessed brilliant performances that enraptured the audience from start to finish. Pandit Arun Bhanduri, a Hindustani classical singer, started with a rendition of raag Multani. A very delicate raag, it was difficult to understand but he mesmerised the audience with his sheer skill and virtuosity. “I still see myself as a learner. It is only after in-depth practice does one become a guru,” he said before the concert began.

The evening then moved on to Carnatic vocalist Bombay Jayashri. With a visible and obvious difference in style and rendition, she kept up the tempo and spontaneity in her recital. The concert gradually mellowed down with a soulful recital by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, who carried the audience away on a beautiful journey with his flute.