The Sutanuti Parishad Chorbagan Committee considers the responsibility of spreading the magic of Indian classical music amongst music lovers to be its own. The organization celebrated the 20th year of its music sessions at the famous Lahabati recently. The programme started with a vocal recital by Ashwini Vide Deshpande. A sincere follower of the Jaipur gharana, Deshpande commenced her performance with a perfect evening raga — Multani. She did not spend time on the aochaar. Instead, she elaborated on the vistaar in vilambit teentaal bandish. She possesses an exceptional tone. Her voice and her ability to touch the appropriate notes were praiseworthy. Her bandish, “Naynan mein aanbaan”, in drut ektaal, was a treat for the listeners. It was enriched by complicated taans and boltaans. Deshpande was also able to create the perfect ambience for the sweet raga, Bihagra. The presentation was impressive, but as the song progressed, it appeared slightly repetitive and mechanical because of the similar style of presenting taans. She concluded her performance with a bhajan.

Then it was the turn of Abhimanyu Lal and Vida Lal to set the stage on fire with an electrifying Kathak performance. Vida started with a Durga Vandana, which was unique and beautiful. The skilful footwork of Abhimanyu and the stunning, speedy spins of Vida mesmerized the audience. They also presented some complicated paran, tatkaar as well as a nice jugalbandi to the perfect accompaniment of the tabla.

Vida performed a delightful Bhao, whereas Abhimanyu was applauded for his long tihai. The duo’s performance was good enough to earn praise from the gathering.

During the last phase of the programme, the well known artist of the Benaras gharana, Purnima Chaudhuri, presented a bandishi thumri dadra in Mishra Khambaj and a bol banao thumri in Mishra Desh, the vistaar and lagi of which were interesting.

In a very short span of time, she tried to present a tappa of Shorey Miyan in Raga Kafi, a thumri, a chaiti and a kajri. She concluded the programme with a Bhairavi thumri in Arddha.