Immaculate offerings of Raaga and Rhythm

The third session of the classical music concert titled “Raaga & Rhythm” was held on October 31 at Chhayanaut's main auditorium. The event, organised by Peshkar Cultural Forum and powered by Bhojnama, featured both vocal and instrumental recital of Hindustani Classical Music.

One of the finest flautists of the contemporary times, Mrityunjoy Das, set off the event with flute recital with tabla accompaniment by Mir Naqibul Islam. Mrityunjoy magically played Raga Bhupali, elaborating alap, jod, a nine-beat gaut on matta taal and a composition on drut teentaal. The artiste ended up with performing a Kirttan while Mir Naqibul Islam made the presentation extraordinary with his well-crafted strokes.  

Vocal music performance by Tapash Datta came next. Noted artiste Ashoke Paul on tabla and Sanjibon Sanyal on harmonium accompanied Tapash' evocative performance of a romantic Raga, Behag. The singer's performances of the vilambit bandish “Kawana Dhang Tora”, drut bandish “Ab Hoon Lalan” and a tarana kept the audience rapt. Tapash also rendered a bhajan at the event.  

The highlight of the concert was a sitar-sarod jugalbandi recital by Ebadul Huq Shaikat (sitar) and Troilee Dutta (sarod artiste from Kolkata's Rabindra Bharati University). Mir Naqibul Islam superbly accompanied the presentation on tabla. Both Shaikat and Troilee are artistes of legendary Maihar gharana. 

The duo started off the performance with Raga Charukeshi on vilambit ektaal and drut teental. The jugalbandi performance was brilliant with regard to their musical sync and delivery. Shaikat's speedy embellishment of gaut in three octaves was followed by Troilee's soothing elaboration of the same. And, in the middle, Mir Naqibul Islam produced torrents of beats. In a word, the performance was mesmerising. Later, they performed a particular Bangla dhun that was originally performed by Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Ravi Shankar in 1971's Concert for Bangladesh. The presentation thoroughly entertained music lovers.