The classical music program ‘Varsha Ritu Sangeet Sandhya’ was organized by the Indian National Theatre in collaboration with Durga Das Foundation in the auditorium of Strawberry Fields High School, Sector 26.
The musical evening was organised to celebrate the arrival of rain with joy. The musical evening also paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Navjeevan Khosla, the patron of the Indian National Theatre, on his birth anniversary.
Dr. Avinash Kumar started his vocal rendition with the ancient monsoon Raga Megh. He started with a traditional composition in Jhaptaal, a beat cycletala ‘Garaje Ghataa Ghan Kaare Kaare’. His bandish in this Raga shows the Kirana style of vistaar. The Malhaar Ang was beautifully presented in the vilamabit composition. He sang a drut teen taal composition ‘Ghan ghanan Ghanan Ghan Ghor’. His fast tempo taan was highly appreciated by the audience.
He ended his performance with two traditional compositions in Raga Desh, another Mansoon Raga. First one was ‘Megha Re’ in teen taal and then ‘Beeti Jaat Barkha Ritu in drut ektaal. His alaapchaari, Raag Daari and taiyaari was commendable.
Dr. Avinash Kumar is a young Hindustani classical singer. He began his classical music training with Smt. Sadhana Chatterjee and Sri Purnachandra Chatterjee. Later, he received advanced training from Ustad Aftab Ahmed Khan of the Rampur-Sahaswan gharana. He also trained with Pandit Tushar Dutt of the Agra gharana and Pandit Somnath Mardur of the Kirana gharana. Avinash Kumar is a graded artist of All India Radio and serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Music at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College, Delhi University.
Vidushi Meeta Pandit started with her recital with a traditional composition ‘Rag Surdasi Malhar’ ‘Garjat Aaye Re Badarwa’, following this she presented ‘Badrwa Barsan Ko aaye’ and ‘Bundniya barsay Gayan Ko’ which was highly appreciated. After she presented a Tarana set to Ek Taal in ati drutlay. She continued her recital with another beautiful composition set to Teentaal in Raag Gaud Malhaar ‘Sanyain Maura Re’ followed by ‘Jhuk Aaye Badariya Sawan Ki’ which enthrall the audience. She Concluded her recital with a Kajri.
Vidushi Meeta Pandit is a leading and popular Hindustani classical singer. She has captivated audiences in India and over 25 other countries. Vidushi Meeta is a top-grade artist of All India Radio. Her performances in Sufi, Thumri, Bhakti, and light classical styles are equally emotive. She belongs to the Gwalior gharana and is the sixth member of an unbroken lineage, and is the first woman in her family to adopt music professionally. She is the granddaughter of Padma Bhushan Pandit Krishnarao Shankar Pandit, a pioneer of Hindustani classical music in North India during the 20th century. Vidushi Meeta is the daughter of Pandit Lakshman Krishnarao Pandit, from whom she learned music after her grandfather.
Vidushi Meeta Pandit has been very active in promoting and spreading Indian classical music worldwide. She has performed at national and international platforms.
During the program, Tarun Joshi on harmonium and Tabla Nawaz Pandit Ram Kumar Mishra provided excellent accompaniment along with Vidhushi Meeta Pandit and Dr. Avinash Kumar. Entry for music loving listeners was kept free in the program ‘Varsha Ritu Sangeet Sandhya’. The compering was done by Ustat Bal, a student of DPS School.
