Post-monsoon tunes leave audience spellbound

MANGALURU

When Pandit Mahesh Kulkarni presented the composition ‘Naa Barasavo Kaahe Badaruva’, asking the rain god not to make it pour too much, the audience at the BEM School auditorium in Mangaluru could completely relate, as they have been experiencing copious post-monsoon showers for the last a few days.

This composition of his 92-year-old ‘guru’ Shankar Abhayankar, set to Raag Patasavani, was among the compositions that the Mumbai-based musician sang on Sunday at the ‘Baithak’ music programme of Swaraanand Pratishthan.

Pt. Kulkarni began his nearly two-hour concert with a soulful, 20-minute presentation of the composition ‘Tumabina Kaun Khabariya’ before rendering ‘Batiyan Tora’, which was sung several years ago by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.

He also sang ‘Tum Kahe Aisi Baavari’, another composition by his guru. This was followed ‘Bandhana Raag Taala’, which signified the intricate link between Raag and Taal in a composition. He then rendered ‘Karata Araja Tihari Saiyaan’, followed by ‘O Nandalalan Begiya Milatachayo’, set to Raag Soni. He ended the concert with a unique ‘Tarana’.

His student Animish Hegde provided the apt vocal support, while Bharavi Deraje’s soft and melodious tabla beats went well with Pt. Kulkarni’s voice. He also received good support from Ajay Hegde who played the harmonium and Karthik Bhat who played the tanpura.

Shrivaths Sharma treated the audience to a tabla solo
| Photo Credit:
H.S. Manjunath

In the earlier tabla solo recital, Shrivaths Sharma from Padubidri received applause from the audience at regular intervals for the ease with which he moved his fingers to produce some wonderful music. Mr. Sharma, a student of Satavijaya Bhat of Udupi, set his first presentation to Teentaal and then presented ‘Chakradhaar’, set to Ektaal, Ada Chautaal and Jhaptaal. He received good support from Ajay Bhat, who played the harmonium.