My grandmother was a disciple of sitar maestro Ustad Vilayat Khan, and recalled, often, how Pandit Ravi Shankar called her a 'child prodigy' when she performed at the Allahabad Univeristy Music Conference.Here is what the press has to say about her:Last and not the least Kumari Ratnam Mahadeo's Sitar recital should be commended upon. She played a sweet 'Malkosh' and showed her masterly treatment of 'Tal' ... The promising artiste, Kumari Ratnam Mahadeo kept the audience spell bound with her Sitar demonstration. She executed some difficult "Toras" in fast 'Laya'. … [Read more...]
My Friend the Guitarist Veda
I remember when Veda was gifted her first guitar and all of us wanted to touch it. She was kind enough to let us touch it and we played with it, rather than playing it. Before we knew it, two years had passed, and Veda was the only girl in school who could play the guitar. As a result, she was taking part in The Merchant of Venice, performed by the 9th (or was it 10th) standard students. And before long, I could go to Veda's house just to listen to her play.Yesterday was magical. I went to Olive Bistro for the first time, just to listen to Veda play. I had a fantastic evening. The guitar, melodious and gentle, in a place that is truly charming, transported me to a world where I was at peace. Sure, I had heard most of the pieces before. But it was something else to listen to live music in the open air on a beautiful night. The rain had left the evening deliciously cool, and … [Read more...]
Veda the Guitarist
Guitar through the Ages Where does the guitar we know and love come from? Unlike the piano and violin, it's been around in different shapes and sizes, belonging equally to wandering folk musicians and to formal classical concert halls.The guitar grew up in the courts of Europe, lived through the Rennaisance and Industrial ages, and finally came into its own in the mid 1800s.From the Kithara of ancient Egypt, to the minstrels and their lutes, to French 'Sun King' Louis XIV used the guitar to serenade women, to salons of Europe, folk music all the way until the 20th century when it got electric, Veda Aggarwal will take you through the journey of the guitar in time.Sunday, March 23rd 4pm-6pm The Cultural Centre, PunePlot No. 20 Survey 20/2/B and 20/3/B Behind Bharat Gas Koregaon Park Annexe / Mundhwa +91 20 3047 2948 … [Read more...]
Kelemen Quartet
What will I remember about this concert of the Kelemen Quartet's a few years from now?The fact that it was the first time I watched a lady in a sari play the cello ? Maybe not. The music was so beautiful that I forgot within a few moments that people are usually so conscious of the way they sit in a sari.The fact that right in the middle of a compelling Bartòk piece, the trumpet of a wedding procession outside confused us all? Somehow, I think I will remember that. Even though I don't want to.The fact that they were all so expressive that it felt as if they were dancing with their instruments? I hope so.Mozart, Bartòk, Schubert - each was magnificent. I had Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in my head all evening. Not because it was my favourite, but because it was the most familiar, and Bartòk was just so elusive. I can see their faces in my head - now so cross with the music they see, now … [Read more...]
A Note of Music
Everything is made out of notes, vibrations. Many people think the universe started with a great big bang. What's that if it isn't a note, albeit a rather loud one? Somewhere there's probably a note that brings the whole universe together... Goodness knows what will happen if anyone finds it... We'll probably be blown up; either that or we'd find ourselves in another universe. - from Sylvie and the Songman by Tim Binding That, succinctly put, is the power of music. … [Read more...]
Our Special Chief Guest – Amjad Ali Khan
It was compulsory for teachers to attend the inauguration of MIT's Vishwashanti Sangeet Academy. But my day was made when I saw Ustad Amjad Ali Khan ascend the stairs. With his characteristic humility, he acknowledged all those waiting on the sides, unlike many others who obliviously walked by. Unembarrassed by his outdated chivalry, he remained standing for as long as his wife was standing. He spoke briefly, boring none with long-winded, irrelevant speeches.I felt like a school-girl meeting a film-star when I saw him up close. My colleagues made fun of me, and I enjoyed that too - like a school-girl again. There he stood, dignified, poised, smiling. He didn't even play. He sat beside his wife and listened to long speeches in Marathi, not even in the limelight - because Lata Mangeshkar was in the limelight.There has to be something special about a man who, even without the instrument … [Read more...]
The Oberon Trio
Wow...In class III, I learned a poem about five kittens in a basket. There was one line that said 'Each one when I pet it seems surely the best'. As The Oberon Trio played, each piece as they played it seemed surely the best.At the end of their Haydn, I could not decide which movement I enjoyed the most. I have no idea how long or short the piece was.At the end of their Brahms, I could not decide which of the instruments I enjoyed most. I wanted to keep listening to all of them.At the end of their Shostakovich, I did not want an encore because I was just so moved by the piece and its emotions. My eyes were filled; I could not say a word. P.S. 1: The violinist's eyes made me think of what Georgette Heyer always describes as 'fine grey eyes'.P.S. 2: Needless to say, The Oberon Trio made me contribute far more than I've ever put into a donation box before. … [Read more...]
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
I listened to Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan and they were beautiful. In fact, I listened to many musicians over the last few days, and enjoyed most.Yet, when I watched and listened to Ustad Amjad Ali Khan - again - I realised what makes me fall in love with him every time, year after year, concert after concert. I love that his climax in each raag does not border on noise. He takes you all the way up to a crescendo and then gently falls into the softest and most tender of notes. That makes him incomparable. He lets you fall so gently and beautifully that you smile and sometimes, even laugh. That kind of laughter is particularly beautiful because it's like a child's laugh of pure joy, not adult laughter that finds something humorous. I love how he flies with his instrument, smiling as he plays - and, yes, I do love how he plays for an audience. He takes the audience with him on his journey, … [Read more...]
Sawai Gandharva
Sitting at the bharatiya baithak on the second day of the Sawai Gandharva festival, I realised once again that for me, the festival is as much about the grand music as about watching people. There are all sorts there. People come with yoga mats, some get floor chairs for a back-rest, some come with all their picnic paraphernalia of sheet to sit on and food to eat. What I love is that music is so 'everyday' for them. Sitting and eating or even lying down and looking at the stars when space permits are no mark of disrespect. It's just enjoyment the way they want to enjoy classical music without social restrictions and conformation to norms.People-watching made me smile yesterday because two old ladies found place to sit near us. Getting to that precious empty space would have been difficult, though. Weaving their way through people watching the big screen, captivated by exceptional … [Read more...]