Pune: Debashish Bhattacharya remembered serving tea to Kirana gharana maestro Bhimsen Joshi as a child at a concert at his West Bengal town, but at his debut at Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav on Wednesday, he was overcome with memories.
"I would listen to Panditji for hours on All India Radio. My father told me his was the voice of God. I performed with Panditji in the audience, and felt God was in front of me. But performing here in front of such a good crowd is something else," a Grammy-nominated Bhattacharya said.
He was one of the star performers at the Ramanbaug grounds, weaving his magic with the chaturangi, a 24-string lap slide guitar he designed in his teens. His music was themed on dhrupad style, set to the jhap and teen taal on the tabla and pakhawaj as accompaniments.
The 10,000 strong audience that packed the floors, the chairs, and the platform, appreciated with gusto the new performers and the seasoned ones.
The afternoon started with tributes to veterans Sayeeduddin Dagar and Girija Devi. Shehenai player Madhukar Dhumal, who has worked with music directors in landmark films, presented Raag Bhimpalasi.
He was followed by UK-based classical singer and researcher Vijay Rajput, a student of Bhimsen Joshi, who was on stage for the first time.
"Whatever I have learned from my gurus is for this occasion. This performance is paying obeisance to my gurus," he said before a performance of Raag Puriya Kalyan. Rajput then moved onto a bhori (praises sung for Radha and Krishna) set to Dadra taal. His Raghuvar Tumko Meri Laaz, a bhajan by Tulsidas made popular by Panditji, was stellar.
The next performance was by Rajan and Sajan Mishra, the famed Benares gharana exponents known for their khyal style of singing. They ended with a Nanak bhajan Jagat Mein Jhoothi Dekhi Preet, preceded by Raags Puriya and Sohni. The audience was glued to their performance.
Eminent flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia was the last performer of the day. "Everyone tells me that I am growing old. But these pictures by Sateesh babu show me to be quite young. I was surprised. I can only hope that I continue to look young," Chaurasia said after launching the official Sawai calendar, drawing laughs.
Accompanied by Debopriya Chatterjee, Chaurasia played Raag Bihaag, one of his compositions set to the naumaatra and another on teen taal and entertained the crowd. For his closing act, the master played a Pahadi Dhun, leaving behind a mesmerised audience.
"I would listen to Panditji for hours on All India Radio. My father told me his was the voice of God. I performed with Panditji in the audience, and felt God was in front of me. But performing here in front of such a good crowd is something else," a Grammy-nominated Bhattacharya said.
He was one of the star performers at the Ramanbaug grounds, weaving his magic with the chaturangi, a 24-string lap slide guitar he designed in his teens. His music was themed on dhrupad style, set to the jhap and teen taal on the tabla and pakhawaj as accompaniments.
The 10,000 strong audience that packed the floors, the chairs, and the platform, appreciated with gusto the new performers and the seasoned ones.
The afternoon started with tributes to veterans Sayeeduddin Dagar and Girija Devi. Shehenai player Madhukar Dhumal, who has worked with music directors in landmark films, presented Raag Bhimpalasi.
He was followed by UK-based classical singer and researcher Vijay Rajput, a student of Bhimsen Joshi, who was on stage for the first time.
"Whatever I have learned from my gurus is for this occasion. This performance is paying obeisance to my gurus," he said before a performance of Raag Puriya Kalyan. Rajput then moved onto a bhori (praises sung for Radha and Krishna) set to Dadra taal. His Raghuvar Tumko Meri Laaz, a bhajan by Tulsidas made popular by Panditji, was stellar.
The next performance was by Rajan and Sajan Mishra, the famed Benares gharana exponents known for their khyal style of singing. They ended with a Nanak bhajan Jagat Mein Jhoothi Dekhi Preet, preceded by Raags Puriya and Sohni. The audience was glued to their performance.
Eminent flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia was the last performer of the day. "Everyone tells me that I am growing old. But these pictures by Sateesh babu show me to be quite young. I was surprised. I can only hope that I continue to look young," Chaurasia said after launching the official Sawai calendar, drawing laughs.
Accompanied by Debopriya Chatterjee, Chaurasia played Raag Bihaag, one of his compositions set to the naumaatra and another on teen taal and entertained the crowd. For his closing act, the master played a Pahadi Dhun, leaving behind a mesmerised audience.
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