Soulful vocal recital packed with peppy tabla beats memorize City music lovers

Soulful vocal recital packed with peppy tabla beats memorize City music lovers

By Ramesh K Dhiman

CHANDIGARH

Avid music lovers of the City Beautiful were in for a fare of musical delight, presented by noted tabla maestro from Jaipur, Gautam Pal and promising vocalist from Shimla, Gunjan Channa, to mark the 293rd monthly baithak organized by the Pracheen Kala Kendra here on Sunday at the M.L. Koser Indoor Auditorium.

In the realm of Indian classical music, Gautam Pal has established himself as one of the most talented tabla artiste of his generation, representing the glorious Farukhabad Gharana.Gautam started learning tabla playing at an early age under the astute guidance of guru Shib Shankar Karmakar, a disciple of Ustad Keramatullah Khan. Later he became Gandh Bandh disciple of renowned tabla maestro Pt.Shankar Ghosh. For the last over five years he has been learning the finer points of the craft under the stewardship of guru Sushil Jain (Chandigarh), a disciple of Ustad Kader Bakhsh of the legendary Punjab Gharana, besides being its torch-bearer.
He has received numerous awards and accolades for his remarkable contribution to the field. He is the “B” high grade approved artiste at the All-India Radio .

Another artiste of the evening today was Gunjan Channa, a young and promising artiste from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. He took his initial training in music from his parents. After earning his master’s from Khalsa College, Patiala, he received further training to learn the intricacies of music from Dr. Jagmohan Sharma. He is A-grade artiste in classical music (vocal) at the All-India Radio. He was feted at several youth festivals held in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. He is an emerging as the rising star on the music horizon.

Gautam Pal commenced with the traditional Uthan, which was followed by Peshkar, based on teen tal of the Farukhabad Gharana. He moved on to present Kayda, Rela, Palta et al before taking up the technical part consisting of ghats amidst thunderous applause. Up next was the Farmaishi and Kamali Chakradar, Tukde, Rele and Tihaari, presented in a well-composed and immaculate manner. He concluded his recital with crisp traditional bandishes of the Gharana.
He was accompanied by Punjab-based harmonium exponent, Gurpreet Singh Moga on harmonium.

After the irresistable beats of tabla, Gunjan Channa hopped on to the centre stage to give a powerful vocal recital.He started with raag Bihag which received humongous response from the audience. After the alaap, he presented a soulful composition “Kaise Sukh Soye…” in Vilambit Khayal, followed by two crisp compositions ‘Balam Re…’ and :Baje Re Mori Payal…’ in Madhya Laya Teen Taal which were well received. Drut composition with bols ‘Bani Bani Thani Thani…’ also won hearts of the music lovers.

At the end, Gunjan added colour to the program by presenting a popular Himachali folk song ‘Maaye Nii Meriye…’,which took the audience on a short trip to the sylvan surroundings of the hills. He was accompanied by Rajesh Brahmbhatt on tabla and Madan Kashyap on harmonium.

PKK Registrar, Dr. Shobha Koser, and Secretary, Sajal Koser, honoured the artistes with bouquet, a scroll and a memento.