(Top) Arnab Bhattacharya and (above) pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty perform at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 23: The annual music festival of the Bhubaneswar Music Circle ended on a harmonious note on Monday with an array of performances. Young and promising sarod player Arnab Bhattacharya and eminent classical vocalist Ajoy Chakrabarty regaled the audience at Rabindra Mandap on the concluding day with their melodies.

The performance by Pandit Narasinghalu Vadavati, who had played the clarinet in Hindustani classical style the previous evening, had already set high expectations for the concluding programme. But the viewers were elated as Arnab, in his late 20s, struck the perfect notes on his sarod. Starting from a serene alaap, he performed a vibrant series of jor, jhala and gat. The rendition had glimpses of Sahajanpur gharana style.

“It was a fascinating performance by the young sarod player. His music was captivating,” said Vineet, a music connoisseur.

Carnatic singer Shatadru Kabir’s took the musical evening forward. Tapas Pal accompanied him on tabla and Aninda Hazra on percussion.

The musical waves struck a high tide when noted Hindustani vocalist Ajoy Chakrabarty started off his recital with the romantic raga Madhubanti. This melodious beginning, which expressed the emotional content of music known as bhava sangeet, left the audience in awe as the veteran vocalist presented the gentle raga in his unique style. Accompanied by talented tabla player, Sandip Ghosh, Chakrabarty went on to present the intricate raga Bhairavi.

“It was a delightful musical evening. From vocals to instrumentals, every aspect of classical music presented at the festival was enchanting,” said Sangeeta Pani, a viewer.

The three-day music festival had begun with a performance by legendary vocalist Sunanda Patnaik.