A two-day musical concert—Bhairav Se Bhairavi – witnessed three hours of Indian classical music extravaganza on July 14-15 in Auckland. Hosted by Samartha School of Performing Arts, the event featured Pandit Rajendra Kandalgaonkar, one of the most popular exponents of Hindustani Classical music in India.
Defying the cold and rainy weekend, classical music lovers came in numbers to listen to Pt Kandalgaonkar’s mastery in Indian classical music which was evident throughout his singing.
He presented Raag Puriya Dhanashree, Hamsdhwani and Raag Pilu based Thumari in the first half and Raag Megh, bhajan and Abhang in Marathi ending with Raag Bhairavi in the second half. Pt Kandalgaonkar has received worldwide acclaim for his innovative techniques and dexterity. He got trained with late Pandit Bhimsen Joshi ji.
People were amazed by his style of taking taans and enjoyed his singing.
Chaitanya Rajapurkar accompanied him on harmonium and Basant Madhur and Nikhil Ghate on tabla. Pandit ji’s students Balmohan, Roshan and Seema were also there to follow him. The two-day event was hosted by AditeeNaik.
The second edition of the concert was presented on Saturday, July 15 by Samartha Sangeet School run by Seema Rajapurkar.
Day two of Bhairav Se Bhairavi provided a unique opportunity to students of Samartha Sangeet School to showcase their talent either vocally or instrumentally. Mrs Rajapurkar truly believes that there is no age for learning and it was highlighted on the day when her students from the age of 5 to 50 presented their talent on stage.
Following her passion for classical music for decades, Mrs Rajapurkar has been running her own music school in Auckland to ensure that she sticks to her classical roots and enlighten and expose the new generation to this same light of music.
“This kind of programme develops confidence. We should provide more and more opportunities so that the students develop their skills. This way we are trying to keep the flame of Indian classical music alive.” Mrs Rajapurkar said.