Cuttack, April 27: The melodies of dhrupad accompanied by the beats of the pakhavaj by eminent vocalist Pandit Abhay Narayan Mallik and his talented son Pandit Sanjay Mallik belonging to the famous Darbhanga Gharana mesmerised students and music lovers at Ravenshaw University on Tuesday.

The duo rendered a repertory of dhrupad compositions under Hindustani classical form at a musical concert organised by Spic Macay.

The artistes began their performance with an aalap, an extended melodic improvisation without lyrics or rhythmic accompaniment realising the mood of the raga.

The aalap was followed by a composition of dhamar with poetic lyrics.

Pandit Sanjay Mallick started the performance with raag patadip, and set the stage on fire when he sang Aaj mere bhag jagere. It was followed by a bandish Taal sur ke bhed nahi janat. The senior Mallik joined him and together they cast a spell on the audience through their recitals, unique to the Darbhanga Gharana.

“Be it khayal or the thumri, every form of Hindustani classical music is derived from dhrupad , which has still preserved its identity despite changing times,” said Pandit Abhay Narayan Mallick.

“Our eight generations have been practicing and performing dhrupad, which has the power to bring rain. It is for the first time that I am performing in Orissa,” he said.

“We are delighted to be here in this spiritual land recognised for lord Jagannath,” said son Sanjay Mallick.

“There is no difference between the swar (voice) and ishwar (God) for people of our country where music holds a strong tradition and is deeply rooted in each soul,” said septuagenarian Abhaya Mallick during his interaction with the audience.

The listeners seemed to be ecstatic with the waves of melody.

“It was really a fascinating experience for students like us to witness such a performance of classical music by the renowned artistes of the centuries old Darbhanga Gharana,” said Dhirendra Kumar Sahu, a student.

The event was a curtain raiser for the National Spic Macay Convention that will be held for the first time in the state in May. Around 1,200 national and international delegates and other participants and artistes of traditional Indian classical music and dance will perform during a week-long programme, which is going to be held at Ravenshaw University from May 23 to 29.

“This is a big occasion for Ravenshaw which is going to organise the mega event in which pandit Birju Maharaj, Bidushi Girija Devi, Ustad Rais Khan and others will be performing,” said convener of the organising committee, Spic Macay, Orissa chapter, Dr. Lekhasri Samantsinhar.