PADMASHRI HARIHARAN LIVE UNPLUGGED CONCERT REGALES INVITEES AT KANTEERAVA STADIUM

Sunday, the 27 Dec 2015, had an entertaining evening in Hariharan Live Concert at Kanteerava Stadium..an AFH initiative must be thanked (Art For Humanity) !!

Someone close sent vvip passes to make it more meaningful !!...but I had to say it was just one of many indoor concerts wherein I've heard Hariharan perform much better.

Must admit not being judgmental, female voices were a great disappointment and not even a patch on him, though the sound system and video coverage were fantastic..!

However, most invitees were unaware what for the 'Art For Humanity' meant after all and the initiative. Organizers should've taken care of creating awareness in Public mind by elaborating in detail about the admirable initiative, else the very purpose itself remains unfulfilled.

Thanks for Organisers nevertheless for not going overboard with overbearing endless speeches by dignitaries..!

In future, also may the organizers avoid major gaffe like one of the gentlemen on mike introducing hon'ble
Union minister Sri Ananthkumar to the audience as Chief Minister !! though it went unnoticed ..!

Let them not get offended by my opinion, but it's been my earnest request to be more professional in approach as I also honestly feel to be a part of AFH indirectly by my participation.

‘Bangalore Dreams Live’ @ BlueFrog, Church Street

Dr.Jyotsna Srikanth wows invitees

 

She’s unmistakably one of the most unassuming Global Star of certain stature, but just guess right when she ticks off messages to her connoisseur friends here while setting on a visit to India, especially her trip this week to Bangalore would certainly bring most fans to her concert considerably and that’s a true connect indeed.!!

I feel, it was so sweet of her to send a missive to me on messenger a week before like she does to many. My neighbor Ganapati Hegde and me made it right on dot for a memorable Bangalore Dreams concert.

Hardly very few musicians figure out this idea. It is here Dr.Jyotsna Srikant literally enjoys her music via discerning. Neither does she commit this secure act to play to the gallery. Perceptive would not only listen to her choice while she makes it a point to play their favorites in a medley or in a different form.

‘Bangalore Dreams’ organizers very aptly named the world music concert by none other than our own innovative & celebrated violinist, the very affable Dr.Jyotsna Srikanth.

Born and brought up in Benguluru, India, Jyotsna went on to receive her MBBS and MD from Bangalore Medical College, India, currently lives in London. Jyotsna has trained herself under her mother, Ratna Srikantiah and later under Guru R. R. Keshavamurthy, a doyen of classical Indian violin. She’s also learnt western classical and achieved her grading from the Royal School of Music, London. Amidst this, she approached V.S. Narasimhan, a solo violinist who works with the notable Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja for advanced training. She certainly needs no introduction now globally..!!

Europe’s leading violinist from the Carnatic classical tradition, Jyotsna Srikanth’s initial foray into music came in the film industry, playing under the direction of film composers such as Hamsalekha and Ilaiyaraaja.

Her recitals combine a deep understanding of traditional music with jazz and contemporary touch. This rare balance between tradition and modernity has helped her carve a unique niche, captivating audiences across the globe. She established a foundation, Dhruv Arts to promote Carnatic Music in United Kingdom, as well as raise funds for charity. Jyotsna continues her Carnatic music career as a soloist and as an accompanist, and has performed with masters such as Dr M. Balamuralikrishna. She enjoys a large fan following across the countries and is popular with her world tours.

December 22, 2015, she played with our own Ace Key Board/Piano Player of Bangalore, Shadrach Solomon, now almost an integral part of Jyotsna’s ensemble. Accompanying on Drums with her was N.S. Manjunath. These Trio created a sinuous atmosphere while playing all those Carnatic Kruthis set on World Music beats. Whether it is “Raghuvamshasudha” or the “Sallapa”, Raag Jog or the evergreen songs of Legendary Illaiyaraja or A.R. Rehman in a medley, Jyotsna just sailed effortlessly as ever, her quintessential trademark.

Jyotsna composes music rooted to Indian-Jazz and interweaves this with flamenco, electronica, funk, Indian, Celtic folk and Bollywood – the musical genus shift shall depend on the festival, Mela, Auditorium and audience.

KEY BOARD & PIANIST SHADRACH SOLOMON

Hailing from a family of music lovers, it did not take long for Solomon to garner love for music from his father. Shadrach Solomon is an accomplished pianist, performer, music director, arranger and composer in his own right. His formal education in Western Classical Piano started at age 6. This was an intense study in Piano Pieces, Sight Reading, Scales, Ear Test and Viva. His indefatigable enthusiasm swiftly took him through five grades passing each one of them in distinction with deft management by Trinity College of Music, London. After having acquired a degree in Engineering in the field of Electrical and Electronics, he has now completely devoted himself to music composition and direction. What metamorphosis he’s been able to bring about over years of dedication in the field of music is there for us to see.

PERCUSSIONIST N.S.MANJUNATH

Ace Percussionist Pandit Suresh Talwalkar’s disciple, young N.S.Manjunath has been on the music circuit for quite a while now, practicing concept of handling loops, grooving along hitting the cords and reciting Indian drum syllables in both Hindustani and Carnatic forms. Very much keen on reproducing syllables on the drum kit, Manjunath truly inspires majority key performers with lot of fervor by energetic innovative percussion display, was a key ally to Jyotsna’s breathe stopping numbers.

USTAD FAIYAZ KHAN'S HAUNTING GHAZALS AND THUMRIS REMINISCE MEMORIES

Sri Ramu Kanagal abode “Ace Director Sri Puttanna Kanagal Grihasthoma" - just behind Devagiri Temple, 2^nd Stage, Bangalore 2015 witnessed a rare in-house Ghazal-Thumri BHAITAK on last Saturday, the 12 December 2015. Talented Tabla Nawaz Trilochan Kampli and his few like-minded friends organized such an event on a short notice.

Popular Sarangi Exponent & Karnataka Pride, also a well-known singer-composer Ustad Faiyaz Khan enthralled connoisseurs by passionate Ghazals and Thumris in his inimitable style. Commendably accompanied him at their best on Harmonium were well-known Composer/singer Ravi Murur and an electrifying Trilochan on Tabla. Ghazal gayaki shall sound more enriched if these accompaniments sync so well as showcased in Bhaitak.

Evening mehfil commenced with an evergreen Ghazal of Late Legendary Mehdi Hassan “Ranjish hi sahi”, Ustad Faiyaz Khan explained nuances of Ghazal and Thumri Gayaki, followed them up by famed Urdu poetry of Ahmed Faraz, Momin and many more with great ease.

Without a doubt, Ustad Faiyaz Khan won the hearts with remarkable Talaffus and clarity of elucidation in his inimitable style. I personally opine, he stands among the very few topnotch Ghazal presenters of the country as he’s known to be so adroit to classical singing and Saarangi Vaadan of which he happens to be a key exponent, needless to mention here. Imaginative raag- alaap elaborations  add vehemence and flavor to subtle gayaki.

Those familiar to Hindustani music could feel the intrinsic foretaste of most popular raags like, Yaman, Keervani, Bhageshri, Charukkeshi, Bahar, Bhimpalas, Des, Mishra Bhairavi, Revathi and so on in a Ghazal concert. Whether it is famed Thumri composition ‘Woh Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein Karar Tha’, the more effervescent popular Ghulam Ali Ghazal ‘Chupke Chupke Raat Din’ or 'Mastana Piye ja Yuhi' Faiyaz Khan bore a stamp of his class in each rendition. Be it “Shola Tha Jal Bhuja Hun” or the final rendition a robust famed  “Chadtha Sooraj…Dhal Jayega” that spiraled spiritedly.

Hallmark of true musician lies in the fact that vocals presented perfectly set the audience moods to euphoric heights on it’s own. All that he offered this evening were globally very much popularized by Great Legendary performers of sub-continent.  Yet, Ustad Faiyaz Khan never ever left a semblance of doubt at all in his classy performance that could only reminisce good old chronicle!

Ghazal Gayaki can either be too insightful, lithe, romantic or intense, relative to clairvoyance from the heart, melody, ethos and pathos, being the major attributes for majority renditions. Else, the identical Ghazal renditions would end up like a simple Geet in filmi style. This is where Faiyaz Khan scores by impeccable timing and succinct sargams, bringing about perfect tehrav in semi-classical-classical approach for which he’s known for. His peers have instilled in him all  qualities needed for an perceptive vocalist that he’s today..! 

Years of dedicated Sarangi play and resonant voice restore an exemplary range, support perceptive singing, sets him and the rest apart. Innovative and slender Raag-Alaap in Ghazal-Thumri Gayaki brings to fore all redolent expressions together in a nutshell wherein Faiyaz Khan truly lugs an indelible impression.

Rather notwithstanding, one of the most underutilized vocalists in Ghazal genre, owing to lack of opportunities created or despise about a rich Legacy in this region, Ustad Faiyaz Khan stands among an all time Ghazal greats of our country positively, while he spins magic by soulful Gayaki ang.

Perceptive audience witness such a lovely and an almost perfect chord between Harmonium & Tabla accompanists though, he hardly renders to the gallery. Percussionists and Harmonium players bring sheen to the whole exercise. Unless a singer connects to those discerning ears, he can’t enjoy singing to such an extent so as to explicate difficult Urdu enunciation.

Many Ghazal maestros perform Ghazal concerts often in Bangalore whereas our own talents like Ustad Faiyaz Khan have in them abundantly to offer in rank and modus operandi. May many more such concerts follow suit in ensuing days is my zealous wish.