Classically entertaining
THE REAL Chaurasia: that is how one would describe the Deepavali concert which featured young stalwarts. The organisers, Raaga, put together a flute jugalbandi starring Rakesh Chaurasia, the nephew of Pandit Hariprasad and Roopak Kulkarni, the maestro's leading disciple. As if this were not enough, accompanying them on the tabla was Satyajit Talwalkar, son of Suresh, tabla maestro, and Padma, the distinguished vocalist. Satyajit and Roopak also team up with others in the fusion group Shoonya. The flavour of Deepavali was in the air and the three together produced a blend of strict classicism with lively entertainment.
The opener was a marathon alap in Bageshree for a good 45 minutes. Rakesh and Roopak took turns luxuriating at length on every single note, so much so that it sounded like a Dhrupad alap, calling for meditative concentration on the part of listeners.
But once the tabla joined forces in the madhyalay, it made for a brisk and lively build-up for the rest of the evening. The next piece in Jog seemed to be a hit with the audience after the rather heavy- going previous bandish. Hamsadhwani struck an instant chord with the locals.
All the same, they must have noticed the distinctive northern imprint in its presentation. The duo preferred playing Pahadi rather than a monsoon raga for the finale.
The sound of the flute never ceases to cast a spell on listeners, particularly when folk tunes from the hills are rendered. When the show was over at ten p.m., one heard cries of ``some more" go out from corners of the auditorium. A refreshing contrast to the steady stream out mid-way through kutcheris. But the organisers, unwittingly, took away some of the evening's charm.
To begin with, the music to fill time prior to the concert was wholly incongruous for the occasion. One would have been better off with some calm instead. Either the turnout was too small or the Museum Theatre too large and the efforts of organisers to make amends were in vain. Roopak was establishing closer contact with listeners; but the platform only added to the physical distance between him and his audience. Organisers should not foreclose the option of chamber concerts even if their guests happen to be star performers.
GARIMELLA SUBRAMANIAM
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