In sync with India's greatest musicians

Singer Hariharan

"When he begins to play the bin, when the notes of the bin throw a spell on the world, the party enters a strange state: people begin to flutter like fish out of water..." writes, Allyn Miner in her book, Sitar and Sarod in the 18th and 19th Centuries, of Na'mat Khan, an 18th century Hindustani musical composer, whose works would change the Khayal style of music for years to come.

Singer Hariharan. File Pic

This Friday, khayals written by the legendary music composer who was also known by his pen name Sadarang, will open a new three-day show, titled Bandish: A Tribute to Legendary Composers, featuring works of India's most popular Hindustani composers by musicians from across India.

Pandit Venkatesh Kumar

"There are not many fans of this style of music anymore. Nobody wants to listen. But we are hoping that the show would generate interest about Classical music and the composers," says Pandit Venkatesh Kumar, noted devotional music singer who will sing Khayals of both Sadarang and Adarang. A Padma Shri awardee, Pandit Kumar started performing at a very young age and received his training from Veereshwara Punyashrama in Gadag (central Karnataka), run by Puttaraja Gawai.

Singer Parthiv Gohil

His style straddles Kirana and Gwalior Gharana and will be singing bandishes based on the works of the two Khayal singers.
The opening day will also have Bengali Hindustani Classical vocalist, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty performing works of Padma Bhushan awardee, musicologist and noted tabla and harmonium player, Jnan Prakash Ghosh. Pandit Chakrabarty will also conduct a special workshop on the leading composers featured in the event.

On the second day, singer Hariharan will lend his soulful voice to the works of ghazal masters Mirza Ghalib, Mir Taqi Mir, Ahmad Faraz and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, whereas, the final day of the event will see singer Parthiv Gohil return for a second time, performing raga-based works of Bollywood favourites Roshan, Shankar-Jaikishan and SD Burman. "The show is a celebration of Indian composers, and Classcial music is one of the main components of it," says Gohil, adding, "I am going to sing songs from Hindi Cinema that were composed on different Indian ragas. I will choose one raga, and perform the best compositions of the Shankar-Jaikishan, Roshan and SD Burman."

ON July 8 to 10, 6.30 pm onwards
AT Tata Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point.
CALL 22824567
ENTRY Rs 300 onwards