It was heartening to find a packed Birla Sabhagar on November 18 when ‘Ritwik’ presented Sandipan Samajpati’s solo recital. Very few youngsters in this city of talented classical musicians get such response as does this vocalist ? time and again. Yet far from being complacent he displayed single-minded devotion towards his art over the years.

Beginning with a brief aochar in Puria he settled for an elaboration in very slow ektal with every conceivable grace applicable in badhat. The heavy gamaks were countered by light and crisp phrases. The introspective mood created by the long glides and oscillating notes interchanged with lively sargams in the even tempo and faster taans.

The medium teental showcased a variety of fast taans. A usually unobtrusive tabla of Samar Saha became vociferous here much to the enjoyment of the confident vocalist. Another bandish in faster tempo was sung in the typical Gwalior fashion. It sparkled with the flawless enunciation of the total composition ? a feature markedly absent earlier. The behlawa unfurled and enhanced its lyrical and melodic beauty to full bloom and made it stand out as a brilliant piece by itself.

Sandipan began his second choice Abhogi and poured out his soul into it. The wringing melodic pathos of the khayal was more appealing than the thumri.