Giving a jazzy twist to Indian classical music

SD Sharma

Chandigarh, January 12

Going by the belief that any classical art form lives in tradition but survives through innovation, Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi (CSNA) presented an ‘Indian Jazz Fusion’ concert at Tagore Theatre here today.

The programme opened to rhythmic spells of fusion of Western beats on acrostic drums by Shiv Sameer, Harry on guitar engaged in jugalbandi with Siddharth Chaterjee and Rajneesh Dhiman on tablas who provided matching encounter through Indian tall patterns.

Leading the concert was acclaimed maestro Subhash Ghosh, disciple of Padmavibhushan Ustad Amajad Ali Khan, on his newly self-created instrument “Nav Swar Ragini” who presented Hindustani classical raga compositions.

He opened up with exposition of raga Yaman with brief ‘alaap’ and a composition in Teen Tal, which was followed by another bandish in raga Hanshdwani in Ek tal and also composition in raga Puriya Kalyan in 10 matra Jhaptal.

As a tribute to 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, Ghosh presented a bhajan, ‘Vaisnav Jan ko’, interspersed with ‘Ram dhun’ before concluding with an emotional dhun in raga Kirmani.

CSNA chairman Kamal Arora and Atul Sharma honoured the artistes.