(From top) Sunanda Patnaik, Ustad Naseeruddin Saami, Vidwan U Srinivas and Pandit Ulhas Kashlakar. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, May 29: Vocalist Sunanda Patnaik captivated hundreds of listeners with her performance in the Millennium City after a long hiatus. Her soothing music, performed during the “brahma muharat” (dawn) marked the conclusion of the Spicmacay cultural extravaganza at Ravenshaw University today.

The 76-year-old Sunanda Patnaik, popularly known as “guruma”, weaved magic with her voice at the one-of-its-kind overnight cultural programme in the city. The musical gala that began on Saturday evening and concluded on Sunday early morning.

During her one-and-half hour performance, Patnaik tried to establish a link with the listeners which she claims to be the one of the toughest challenges for any artiste.

It was her performance of the the famous poem Har panghat pe bheed jami hai, Par mile na ek boond neer that received the loudest applause.

“An artiste always tries to express his feelings to the audience through the performance. Sadly, many songs today lack these expressions and rather include vulgarity,” said Patnaik.

Earlier, Hindustani vocalist Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar and noted Pakistani singer Ustad Naseeruddin Saami left the audience spellbound with their performances.

Saami, who belongs to the Delhi gharana (school), began with raag barwa and sang Aye sawan ban ayo followed by Adana. It was the Jashoda tose ladai ladungi based on raag Sohari that set the tone for the entire programme that was organised to promote the Indian classical music amongst youths of the country.

“I am very lucky to be a part of the overnight concert. The legendary singers were at their best as they gave performances of the highest quality,” said Gayatri, a student delegate of the cultural convention.

The Carnatic vocals and mandolin-playing by Vidwan U. Srinivas was the other attraction on the occasion.

A number of reputed artistes from the field of art, music and dance were also engaged in training students and youths during the one-week intensive programme that was part of the Spicmacay event.

More than 1,200 delegates from the country and abroad had participated in the national convention that was being held for the first time in the state.

“It was one of our most successful conventions as the entire event saw participation from all over the country which is important to promote national integration among the youths. Similarly, the youths got an opportunity to learn a lot from eminent artistes and gurus including 105-year old Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan, Shyam Benegal and others,” said Sujeet Choudhry, a participant.

“The main objective of the overnight programme was to promote the feeling of pride among the youths who are more inclined to western music. Indian classical music is our heritage and everybody should come forward to keep the tradition alive,” said Spicmacay founder Kiran Seth.