Jugalbandhi ~ August 15th, 1997 @ Harbourfront, Toronto.
Artists: Sri Ravikiran (Chithravina)
Ustad Sultan Khan (Sarangi)
Sri Raja Rao (Mridangam)
Ustad Faisal Qureshi (Tabla)
Sri Vinayakram (Ghatam)
Here is a brief report on the above concert held in connection with the
grand 3-day cultural festival organized to celebrate 50 years of India's
independence.
The concert was presented in 3 parts. The first presented Nalinakanthi
and Hamsanandhi in Karnatak mode. The second part presented Yaman and a Rajasthani folk tune in the Hindhusthani mode . In the 3rd part... the "jugalbhandhi" part.... Ravikiran presented Kirvani ( with G# as his
natural anchor); at the same time, Sultan Khan presented Basant Mukhari ( or Vakulabharanam) ( with D# as his anchor). The novel experiment ....using the fact that Kirvani produces Vakulabharanam with a modal shift ... was very innovative and pleasing. Ravikiran had composed a small "pallavi" for the occasion ...." Jayathi jayathi Bharatha Matha , Sakala Sujana nutha".... ; very appropriate indeed.
( The audience was understandably disappointed when the "rhythmic" part of the Jugal-bandhi had to be called off suddenly due to time/schedule/hall conflicts)
This is the first time I have heard Sarangi and was thrilled by its
melodic potential. It is interesting that though there is evidence to
show that Sarangi was used in Tamilnadu temples to the accompaniment of Thevaram ( Saivite hymns) in very early times, Sarangi seems to have
disappeared almost completely in South India; a pity, indeed.