Meena Banerjee once again feels the pulse of the cultural scene in Kolkata by attending several important programmes

Sammelans galore with clashing dates

The cultural calendar of Kolkata was melody-packed with numerous well-known annual classical soirees around the first week of January. In this era, when popular music reigns supreme, it was heartening to see such chalk-a-block ‘classical’ itinerary. But it left aficionados complaining; because most of the dates of these eagerly awaited conferences clashed with each other. This was rather disappointing for both, the lesser-known gems and the connoisseurs. Actually organisers, who value their music-loving audience, must avoid such clashing dates.

But ITC SRA and Dakshinee of Tollygunge added more confusion this year by shifting its usual dates from early December and mid-January respectively. Going by the trend of past several years, the State Music (Rajya Sangeet) Academy, Ballygunge Maitreyi Sangeet Sammelan and All Bengal Music Conference seem to vie for same dates though Rajya Sangeet presents its event at Rabindra Sadan, Ballygunge opts for Madhusudan Mancha (south Kolkata). All Bengal Music Conference, an important event of northern fringes, shifted from its place of origin to Mahajati Sadan this year with its enviable melodic spread along with two young, brilliant stars-in-the-making: Alam Khan (sarod) and Deepshankar Bhattacharya (sitar).

Aficionados agree in unison that Alam, younger son-disciple of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, has imbibed the inimitable mijaz (musical temperament) of his legendary father. That in itself is a great achievement and full of promise! Deepshankar is the sole young representative of the intricately stunning Jafferkhani baaj evolved by his octogenarian dadaguru Ustad Abdul Haleem Jaffer Khan and nurtured by his father-guru Pandit Harashankar Bhattacharya.

Star-struck hysteria

Usually associated with film-stars and pop-singers, such frenzy does not erupt within classical arena except, of course, if the musician turns out to be Ustad Zakir Hussain. An unprecedented mass hysteria broke out on ITC SRA premises, that was bursting at seems during the ustad’s magnificent tabla-solo. His recital came as the grand finale of the second evening of their three-day Sangeet Sammelan.

Understandably all organizers make the most of the presence of this crowd-puller to promote their cause. ITC SRA was no exception and took this opportunity to give two powerful messages. Their ‘SRA on Strings’, an ensemble of the scholars who are learning sitar, sarod and sarangi, promised hope for the latter that is almost on the verge of extinction. Sarangi is the latest addition in the curriculum of this institution which started its journey with the sole motive of promoting and preserving khayal gayaki. SRA has taken a huge step by pledging to revive the complex art of sarangi-playing and has inducted young genius Sarwar Hussain for this purpose.

Hussain made his presence felt by providing sensitive support to most of the vocal recitals during the fest. Shaswati Mandal Paul’s brilliant tappa singing struck another optimistic note and promised a bright future for this dwindling, difficult genre. The final day lit up with ex-scholar Shashank Maktedar’s delightfully confident khayal singing. Thrilling violin-duet by Ganesh-Kumaresh (Carnatic style) along with SRA-gurus Mashkoor Ali Khan (khayal), Buddhadeb Dasgupta (sarod) and Ajoy Chakrabarty added multi-hued attraction. Chakrabarty closed the fest with stotras steeped in piety.

So far so good; but contrary to the usual practice of the institution SRA did not present its fresh scholar to commence the proceedings of its annual event; instead Rashid Khan, the renowned ex-scholar who is perched at dizzying heights now, commenced the sammelan after Dr Amiyo Ranjan Banerjee, an erudite vocalist, was felicitated with ITC SRA Award (Eastern zone) of the year. This star-studded evening also featured a scintillating sitar recital by Kushal Das. Girija Devi, a revered guru with the academy, concluded with her lilting thumris.

Southward ho!

Rashid Khan gave another scintillating recital same day in the same locality by the time SRA called it a day. Dakshini Sangeet Sammilani kicked off with Manasi Majumdar’s vocal recital followed by Partha Bose’s sitar recital. Khan was the final artiste of this organisation’s two-night long soiree. Arshad Ali Khan commenced the second evening of both the events. While SRA’s evening began early, the night-long Dakshinee-evening commenced late. It also featured Rupak Kulkarni (flute), Subhra Guha (vocal), Tejendra Narayan Majumdar (sarod) and a thrilling rhythm ensemble by Gopal Barman (srikhol), Anubrato Chatterjee (tabla), Aprbalal Manna (pakhawaj) and Somnath Roy (ghatam).