A night full of stars of Indian classical music organized by ITC Sangeet Research Academy. 3 days of a wonderful musical journey that was charmed by the legendary performers of Hindustani classical music.
The ITC Sangeet Sammelan 2019 on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of February 2019 was all for the Hindustani classical music lovers. It was inaugurated by Smt. Anu Puri, the wife of ITC’s MD and chief executive officer, Sanjiv Puri. The ITC Sangeet Samman for the year was awarded to Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. During a touching acceptance speech by Pandit Sharma spoke regarding his association with this prestigious academy from the 80s till now.
ITC Sangeet Sammelan 2019 begun with a performance by one of the youngest scholar Sreemoyee Acharyya who’s performance set the mood of the event. Next performance was designed by Vidushi Aruna Sairam who included edudite Ragam Tanam Pallavi as well as a single Thillana. The evening concluded with Pandit Shivkumar Sharma’s Jhinjhoti along with a dhun in Raga Pahadi.
Day 2 began with a soul full performance by Anustup Bhattachariya with Maru Behag followed by Pandit Uday Bhawalkar’s Shudh Kalyan and Durga which are going to be remembered by all the audience members were present out there. Our ex-scholar Ruchira Kedar gave a wonderful performance of Hamir and Sohini. She also performed “Kahanwa Mano o Radharani” a Thumri with grace.
Next Ustad Rashid Khan came with ‘Malkauns’ remembering his days with Academy. He is a past scholar and loved by all for his beautiful voice. A table duet performance by Pandit Kumar Bose and Pandit Anindo Chatterjee showed us an interesting conversation of Farukhabad and Benaras Gharana.
Smt. Kaushiki Chakraborty who also happens to be an ex-scholar of ITC SRA begun her performance with heart-breaking Abhogi after which she sang Raga Hindol Bahar followed by a Thumri. Next performer was also an ex-scholar of this prestigious classical music academy in India, Ratan Bharti who performed Bhatiar was an emotional piece. The evening was concluded by Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar by brilliant Komal Rishabh Ashavari followed by Vibhas. Both these performances was a learning experience for the Raga students.
On the final evening, the mood of the Sammelan was set by previous performances. Vidushi Subhra Guha performed a series of composition on Holi. Her performance focused on Bahar, Basant Bahar, and Kafi. Next performance was done by Pandit Partha Chatterjee with Malgunji accompanied by Srijanee Banerjee was a splendid option. Sammelan got ended with multi-layered Darbari by Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty along with Thumri, in Mishra Piloo, ‘Saiyyan Gaye Pardes’.
