Classical notes all the way, Sangeet Utsav concludes on melodic note

SD Sharma

Chandigarh, July 17

The three-day ‘Sangeet Utsav’, a bonanza of classical music organised by the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi concluded here on a melodic note with an incredible soulful vocal concert tribute by young vocal maestro Pandit Kumar Gaurav Kohli to his guru Pandit Ganesh Parshad at the Navrang theatre here on Tuesday.

Welcoming the artist, Kamal Arora, akademi chairman, disclosed that the three-day festival was dedicated to the cherished memory of Pandit Ganesh Parshad, a stalwart musicologist, performer and promoter of classical music from Rampur Sehswana Ghrana, who expired at the ripe age of 89 years leaving behind a rich legacy of musical wealth for art lovers to hold on to.

Beaming with reverence to his guru, Kumar Guarav Kohli commenced his recital with a reposeful alaap to establish the form of raga ‘Megh’ to perfection before presenting a slow-paced (vilambat) composition ‘Aayi barkha ritu..’ set to ek tal. Maintaining the melodic pace, he presented a traditional bandish ‘ghan ghaghanan bhor mein’ and ‘aayi ritu barsan ki’, both set to teen tal.

Upholding the phrase ‘mauka bhi hai dastoor bhi’ he turned to rainy season melodies lauding the charm of rains through compositions like ‘gagn gheri gehrat aeri’ and ‘nanvi nanvi boondriyan barse’ and more all in raga ‘Miyan Malhar’.

Accompanied by Amarajit Singh on Harmonium and Neeraj Shandley on Tabla, Kumar Gaurav Kohli concluded the recital with an absorbing ‘raag mala’ amidst applause to win standing ovation from his guru bhais.

Many of the foremost disciples of Pandit Ganesh Parshad like Dr Prof Nivedita Singh, Dr Alankar Singh, Dr Madhu Bhatnagar, Progeny Dr Asha Singh, Amod and Dayanad, all disciples and old friend Guru Pandit Yashpaul of Agra ghrana relished the concert.

Besides Kamal Arora, Atul Sharma and Balkar Singh from CSNA honoured the chief guest Dr Parveen Kohli, another disciple of Pandit ji.