Tagore?s first visit to England in 1880 influenced his musical sensibilities to such an extent that he continued to be inspired by European music while composing the play Valmiki Pratibha or spiritual Brahmasangeet. Baikali?s eighth anniversary programme on August 10 at Kalamandir traced this evolution with seven Brahmasangeet numbers in resplendent choral singing by the group members, followed by an authentic portrayal of Valmiki Pratibha ? in the opera style. Pramita and Tapan Mallick?s direction and Aditya Mitra?s choreography combined to make it a neat production. Spontaneous, on-stage singing and lively acting by Preeti Patel and others helped retain the quintessence of the first Jorasanko rooftop production of this play ? way back in 1881.
Mohua Mitra
In rapport with life, nature and space, Indore-based Manoj Kac-hangal leaves no traces of brushwork in his acrylic pictorial constructions, displayed at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture. He is at one with his captivating environs in much the same manner as he is with his own memory. The spontaneity of his creativity thus serves as a natural bridge between the earth and the sky ? not in the sense of being a wishy-washy, romantic concept, but involving the sordid happenings (images, for example, of the Kargil war) closer home, but, more significantly, reaching out to the endless and serene blue canopy above. Kachangal alternates his imagery between backdrops of sunlit space and the gloomy night sky, indicating how his mind is placed in the seamless time-space continuum.
Samir Dasgupta
The soulful singing of Rabindranather Gaan by Manoj and Manisha Murali Nair (Laban Hrad Mancha, August 8) presented by Salt Lake Cultural Association was musically elevating and touched the heart of the listeners. Manoj displayed commendable poise and command over rhythmic numbers like Timir abagunthane and Mor bhabanare (duet). The introspective aspect of Rabindrasangeet was truly revealed in Manisha?s Baje karuna sure. In Abar esechhe asar Manoj painted a musical picture. Both he and Manisha had the right mixture of virtuosity and depth in their rendition. Biplab Mondal gave a good support in tabla. The programme commenced with Brindo-Badon, composed and conducted by Siddhartha Roy Chowdhury.
Sharmila Basu Thakur
