German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche once said, “Without music life would be a mistake”. Indeed, imagine how mundane life would be if the soothing notes and swinging rhythms cease to reach our ears and pacify our aching hearts. Music acts as a balm for our tired senses caused by the hustle-bustle of everyday city life. Pune city has always produced some of the finest musicians of the country. Music is worshiped and adored in this city and Puneiters are one of the greatest connoisseurs of Indian popular as well as classical music. At the musical concert ‘Sahela Ra,’ renowned proponents of Carnatic music and different ‘gharanas’ of Hindustani classical will share a common podium and present a rich palette of rhythms, ‘ragas,’ and enchanting repertoires.

A befitting tribute to ‘Gaan Saraswati’ Kishori Amonkar on the occasion of her 80th birthday, the two-day long musical extravaganza will be held on February 12 and 13, 2011, at the Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch. The event will feature musical maestros like Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Viku Vinayak Ram, Uday Bhavalkar, T M Krishna, Raghunandan Panshikar and numerous other accomplished artistes.

“This is a musical tribute to Kishoritai, who is one of the greatest singers of this country. In this event, we will attempt to present ‘ragas’ rendered by artistes from different ‘gharanas’ on one single stage. Audience can actually analyze and differentiate the singing patterns of each ‘gharana’. They can also understand the subtle differences between ‘ragas’. So, it is surely going to be an enjoyable yet quite a learning experience for the music lovers of Pune city,” said Amol Palekar, the organizer of the program.

‘Ragas’ will be presented concurrently and consecutively by vocalists Kaushiki Chakravarty from the Patiala ‘gharana’, Nandini Bedekar from the Jaipur-Atrauli ‘gharana,’ and Kalapini Komakali from the Gwalior ‘gharana.’ Another session will feature a similar musical concoction between vocalists Raghunandan Panshikar from the Jaipur-Atrauli ‘gharana’, Jaiteerth Mevundi from the Kirana ‘gharana,’ and Prasad Khaparde from Rampur ‘gharana.’

“We have tried to bring together in this concert various facets of the Indian classical and Carnatic music. The program, unlike other musical events, aims to present an entire range of ‘ragas’ to music lovers pertaining to the specific time during the day, like morning, afternoon, evening and night,” added Palekar. The title of the program, ‘Sahela Re’ is based on Amonkar’s eponymous self-written ‘bandish’, which she herself rendered and recorded in ‘Raga Bhoop’ almost 40 years ago. However, the patrons of Hindustani classical music and Carnatic music may have something new to explore and experience at the program on February 13.

“It will be a great honor for us, as Kishoritai have decided to come and bless us with her presence during the program. As an artist and lover of music, she has remained a purist and has believed in communicating the very spirit and ethos of Indian classical music. It is this very direction and thought that we have tried to incorporate and capture in our musical event ‘Sahela Re’,” said co-organizer of the program, Sandhya Gokhale.

‘Sahela Re’ will conclude with a fascinating grand finale entitled, ‘Taala Kacheheri,’ a unique ensemble of percussionists and Carnatic music comprising the likes of  V Selva Ganesh (khanjira), Viku Vinayak Ram (ghatam), Mahesh Vinayak Ram (Carnatic vocals), Bhavanishankar (pakhwaj), Sabir Khan (sarangi), and Ustad Zakir Hussain (tabla), who will perform together.

“I am glad that Pune city is still holding on to the rich and diverse musical culture of this country. At a time, when the entire young generation is influenced by popular Western music, this kind of concert can actually show the vastness, depth and profundity of Indian classical and Carnatic music. Can anyone match the musical mastery and dexterity of late Pandit Bhimsen Joshi? I do not think so. I am glad that this concert is happening in Pune, and I am looking forward to have some  great time amidst an ambience riveting with notes of optimism and vitality,” said Sooraj Nath, a music-lover and resident on Prabhat Road.

Donation passes for the event are available at Yashwantrao Chavan auditorium, Kothrud, Balgandharva Rangmandir and Tilak Smarak Mandir from February 2.

- Siddhartha Laik