Swar Sandhya: Ancient Dhrupad Mesmerizes Hyderabad Audiences

Swar Sandhya, an evening of Indian classical music at Badruka College, featuring Ancient Dhrupad of Darbhanga Tradition and Sitar-Sarod duet of Maihar tradition mesmerized the music lovers of Hyderabad.

First artist was Dr. Sumeet Anand Pandey (Delhi) a distinguished exponent of the Darbhanga Gharana, who captivated the audience in Hyderabad with a soul-stirring Dhrupad recital.

Sumeet commenced the evening's performance with the melodious Raag Bageshree, a choice that set the perfect tone for the mesmerizing journey that followed. His rendition began with a captivating 4-stage alap, gradually building tempo to a crescendo. He masterfully employed the signature techniques of the ancient Dhrupad style, including the melodious Meend (glides) and powerful Gamak (oscillations).

Accompanied by the resonant Tanpura drone played by Ritika Pandey, the audience remained in rapt attention, witnessing the ethereal beauty of the alap. Thunderous applause erupted when it concluded.

Sumeet performing in Hyderabad for the first time, continued to showcase his musical prowess by presenting two traditional compositions of the Darbhanga Gharana, set to Choutal and Dhammar taal. Hailing from a family with a musical legacy spanning more than 300 years, he carries forward the rich tradition of Gauhar Vani of Tansen through generations. His Gurus, Pt. Abhay Narayan Mallick and his grandfather PadmaShri Pt. Siyaram Tiwari, were legendary Dhrupadiya maestros of their time.

The performance of 'Charan Dharu Shri Raja Ram Chandra ju ke' set to Choutal, accompanied brilliantly by Sandip Jadav (Satara) on Pakhawaj, was a testament to the musical synergy between the two artists. Their spontaneous improvisations, known as 'Upaj,' showcased their exceptional command over rhythm patterns, earning them repeated applause from the enraptured audience.

The rendition of 'Ae Daff Baajan Lagye,' set to the intricate 14-beats cycle of Dhammar, exhibited a playful exchange of rhythm, melody, and lyrics between Sumeet and Sandip on Pakhawaj. Each rhythmic cycle, ending with the phrase repeated thrice, 'tihai,' was met with thunderous applause from the appreciative audience.

The concluding piece of his Dhrupad recital was a self-composed prayer to Lord Ganesha, 'Ganpati Gajanan, Girijasut Ganesh,' set to sooltal, leaving the audience in awe of his musical creativity and talent.

Renowned artists Nitish Purohit, a skilled sarod player from Pune, and Nikhil Patwardhan, an accomplished sitar player from Bangalore, graced the stage during the second half of the concert with a Jugalbandi.

Both artists hail from the illustrious Seniya-Maihar gharana, and their performance commenced with the melodious Raag Kedar. They adhered to the Dhrupad tradition, beginning with a mesmerizing Alaap Jor, followed by a Gat in Vilambit Teental, which transported the audience into a world of musical enchantment.

The next piece saw them delve into the enchanting depths of Raag Surdasi Malhaar, where they skillfully presented a beautifully ornamented Bandish composed by the legendary Pt. Nikhil Banerjee. The composition was rendered with finesse in Drut Teental, and the performance was brought to a splendid conclusion with an electrifying Jhalla.

Responding to the heartfelt requests of their appreciative audience, Nitish Purohit and Nikhil Patwardhan closed their concert with the soulful Raag Shivranjini, accompanied by a composition in the rhythmic intricacies of Taal Deepchandi. Their precise and harmonious collaboration was complemented by the skillful Tabla accompaniment of Thakur Harijit Singh of Hyderabad, creating a musical experience that left the audience in awe.

The evening was a masterful display of talent and artistry, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating their next performance. The artists' ability to transport the audience into the depths of classical music was a testament to their dedication and skill, and it was indeed a memorable night for all in attendance.

Musicians and music lovers of Hyderabad fully supported the evening by turning up in great numbers to make it a full house at Badruka College Auditorium.

This music festival was seven of ten organised by Pandit Siyaram Tiwari Memorial Sangeet Trust, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India this year. The Hyderabad edition was presented by Tatvaa Arts and remaining three festivals will take place in Mumbai, Bangalore and Calicut in the remaining months of 2023.