In search of talent

Today, the rediscovery of India is dependent on the West, and classical music is no exception. An invitation from the American Centre to participate in a competition organised by the US Educational Foundation in India (USEFI) worked as an added incentive for the schools in the city. The ?Raga 2005? enthused seven talented children within the age group of 12-15 to stage a debut in ?raga music? on April 22. Patranjali Nandy of the Ballygunge Shiksha Sadan and Averi Misra from the Gokhale Memorial Girls? School secured the first and second positions respectively. Only one of the two boy participants played the sitar and, therefore, stood third. Only a handful of listeners had the heart to sail through the strangulating security at the USIS entrance.

Meena Benerjee

Total concentration

With her left palm covering the earlobe and the nimble fingers on the right counting the beats to precision, Indrani Bhattacharjee was a picture of concentration in her Rabindrasangeet recital at the Rabindra Sadan (April 26). This Shilpi Jajabar presentation saw her exploring that ambiguous region in Tagore?s oeuvre where sacred and profane love intermingle. Mostly unconventional and set to rhythms that demand a good command over dhrupad gayaki, her offering was a connoisseur?s delight. The wanderer who sets out on a quest for an ocean of elixir in Amriter sagare ami jabo ultimately signs off with a note of withdrawal in Mone je asha laye esechhi. Bhattacharjee also displayed poise in regular numbers like Amaar praner pare.

Anshuman Bhowmick

Scintillating tribute

The first classical music session welcoming the Bengali New Year at the Vivekenanda Hall on April 21 was dedicated to the memory of Pandit A. Kanan, the legendary musician. Three of his disciples paid a scintillating tribute to their guru on this occasion. The unfailing flexibility of Aniruddha Bhattacharya?s honeyed voice, supported by Shubhajyoti Guha?s sensitive tabla, portrayed a majestic Kedar with its characteristic phrases and long glides. A persistent encore resulted in a liltingly lyrical bhajan. The poignant portrayal of Bageshri by the veteran Dilip Das was as matured as his Pilu thumri, albeit with a wobbling laggi. Sanjay Banerjee commenced the evening with Puriya Kalyan and within his limited voice-range etched a picture of verve and vitality with Vibhas Sanghai on the tabla.

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