My First Hindustani Concert

Recently, I got the opportunity to witness a live Hindustani concert. And that too in my college itself. On behalf of some workshop conducted by ICE Dept. of my college, a concert was arranged by Prof. Ramkalyan sir. As a member of Amruthavarshini(the classical music club of NITT), I had also been invited for the concert. The message I got was, it was going to be a concert by the Prof himself on his veena. My passion for carnatic music, prompted me to attend the concert though I had some other work and it was worth it.

When I went to the venue, the concert was about to begin and Ramkalyan sir was announcing that first he would perform and after that one of his friends will also perform, but nothing had been said about a Hindustani concert. Ramkalyan sir was accompanied by the two of the greatest players of percussion instruments in our college - Charan on mridangam and Mahesh on Ganjira. Kalyani varnam, 'Vathapi Ganapathim' in Hamsadhwani, 'Samajavaragamana' in Hindolam were some his renditions. All three musicians were a treat for the ears.

After the first session and a small tea-break, the Prof introduced his friend and an old colleague - Prof. Bhattacharya. And only when I saw his instrument and the accompanying tabla did I realize that it was going to be a Hindustani concert. My first ever live Hindustani concert. I was seeing the instrument Sarod, for the first time in my life. He began with a piece in Raag Pandhuvarali. Though it is a raag which depicts a sad mood, he made the ambience lively with his skill on the instrument. The tabla was not far behind, giving tough competition to the protagonist. Once when an applause was made, Prof. Bhattacharya even asked - 'Was that for me or for the tabla?'. After the first raag and as it was getting late into the night the Prof decided to stop. But due to the insistence of special guest, Prof. T.K.V.Ramanujan sir, he played another piece in raag 'Sindhubhairavi'. He made the evening memorable with this 'morning raag'. And the combination of this raag and tabla, reminded me of the splendid song 'Hari muraleeravam' in a malayalam movie 'Aaram Thampuran'.

I was thrilled with my first live Hindustani concert. It was indeed a marvellous one.