Hindustani music is considered to be most nature-friendly. It relates closely to nature and moods inspired by nature get reflected in music in the most moving manner. 'Ritu Naveli Albeli', a three-hour concert hosted by 'Khayal Trust' last week was designed to focus on this aspect of Hindustani music and the artistes featured were of the highest caliber. The spacious and acoustically well-equipped Veer Savarkar Auditorium provided the ideal environment for this rich music
The programme began with a vocal recital by Poona-based Saniya Patankar, who is one of the brightest stars of the Jaipur Attrauli gharana today. She sang raga 'Lalita Gauri' which is a trademark Jaipur Attrauli raga. It has been immortalised by the doyenne, the late Kesarbai Kerkar. Saniya's portrayal of the raga had a traditional flavour as well as the modern touch which made it very interesting. She also sang a beautiful feminist composition in the raga 'Nand' by Neela Bhagwat of the Gwalior gharana. It talks about the unfair invasion into privacy by the holi revelers Thus it a 'hori' of a different kind Saniya evoked a special applause for the same.
Senior flautist Rupak Kulkarni played the raga Yaman with usual finesse. Rupak is not only a master of melody but also of rhythm. He had an accomplished tabla exponent like young Ojas Adhiya as his percussion accompanist. Ojas is a young tabla sensation. The duo enthralled the audience into a trance. Kaivalyakumar, now the veteran of the Kirana gharana mesmerised the audience with his unique voice and music. His is the voice which is closest to that of the great Abdul Karim Khan who founded the gharana and defined the stylistics. Kaialyakumar sang the raga 'Marubihag', which again is a special Kirana gharana melody. The 'rasiya' which he sang with much verve and vigour, explicitly expressed the mood of the season. Mandar Puranik on the tabla and Siddhesh Bicholkar on the harmonium lent superb support to the Kirana maestro.