Bhubaneswar: When the winter sets in and there is a nip in the air, Bhubaneswar gets abuzz with activities relating to music, dance and theatre festivals. This season is no different either. Every day, there are events and programmes at mandaps and auditoriums in the capital city, giving art lovers an opportunity to listen and watch renowned vocalists and dancers from across the country.
Bhubaneswar Music Circle, an institution religiously organising musical evenings, observed it’s three-day-long annual music festival at Rabindra Mandap from December 8.
Due to some works I could only make it for the concluding evening and, the connoisseurs present in the audience would agree with me, the evening was both educating and entertaining.
The first performer of the evening was Vidushi Smt. Pavana B Achar who presented Carnatic Veena recital.
Smt. Achar started her presentation with Shree Mahe Ganapati and went on to present Himagiri Tanaye, Endaro Mahanubhabulu, Raghuvansha, Nadaloludai, Jayadeva’s Astapadi ‘Madhave Makuru’ and Bhagyadalaxmi.
She was ably supported by Smt. Shashikala N Bhat, Dr Balachandra Achar and Samanvi Maiya on the Veena, Mrudangam and tala respectively. Dr Balachandra Achar is her husband.
Notably, Smt Achar is a disciple of Vidushi Smt. Lakshmi Iyengar. Currently she is the director of Kalaspandana, Manipal. She has performed at many national and international level festivals.
Next came onto the stage an accomplished khayal vocalist of the Gwalior, Agra and Jaipur Atrauli Gharanas, Pandit Vikash Kashalkar to cast a magical spell on the audience.
He started his recital with a Vilambit Khayal in raag Sham Kalyan set to Taal Tilwada, “Jeevan Aadhar”, followed by a drut bandish in teen Taal “Ari Mori Maayiri”.
He followed it up with a Vilambit Khayal in raag Malgunji set to taal Tilwada “Ban Me Charavaat”, followed by a drut bandish in teen Taal “Rein Kare Darawat”.
Then he went on to present Vilambit Khayal in raag Rayasa Kanada, a rare raag of Jaipur Gharana set to teen taal “Ri Tuma Samajh”, followed by drut teen Taal “Mann Mohliyo”.
He concluded his performance with Thumri ki Bandish “Karana Mori Lagi”, followed by Tarana.
He was accompanied by Jitendra Swain on the Tabla and Aakash Biswal on the Harmonium, Banalata Samal on the Tanpura, Shiv Prasad Rao and Mandakini Swain on vocal support.
He regaled the audience with his mystic voice. I found him both energetic and communicative to the audience.
Bhubaneswar Music Circle has been organising musical programmes with a single view to promote and preserve the Indian classical music.
