GURGAON: More than 160 students of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Sangeet Academy & Swar Kala Sangam participated in the annual day function of the academy in Gurgaon to celebrate the birth anniversary of legendary classical singer Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. The students from all age groups presented five-hour power packed performances of classical vocal, kathak, piano, guitar and a band presentation.
Pt. Bhimsen Joshi was born on February 4, 1922. This year happens to be the 102nd Birth Anniversary of the legendary classical singer, Bharat Ratna awardee Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. To celebrate the birth anniversary the academy organized “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” the annual day celebration wherein the students of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Sangeet Academy showcases their learning in classical art forms including music, dance and singing.
The classical performances started with Saraswati Vandana performed by a group of senior students depicting that there is no age to learn. In the classical vocal performance the youngest batch of 4 years+ performed Chota Khayaal in Raag Yaman elaborated with Aalaap and Taans. A similar group of girls (4 years+) performed Kathak on Mahishasur Mardani stotra.
An eight-year-old student brother and sister performed Raag Bhairav Chotta Khayaal Bandish detailing with the Sargam, Aalaap Taan and Tarana. There were solo presentations of Raag Vrindavani Sarang by Prisha and Raag Bihaag by Dhruv both aged 12 years which showcased the depth and how elaborate classical learning can be, which became a motivation to other students as well as the spectators. The presentation of Raag Yaman & Sargam geet by young talent of 5years to 8 years was worth watching.
It was followed by more classical presentations of Dadra, Raag Alahiya Bilawal and a few bandish and presentations in Mishrit Raags also enhanced the overall experience.
Similarly, there were solo presentations and group presentations in Kathak which were by all age groups starting with 8 years+ to 40 years. A kathak presentation based on Mathura famous “Mohan Kelat Holi” which was presented by Kathak dancers aged 4 years.
Classical Kathak Presentations of Janani Janm Bhoomisheha, Thumri, Namami Shamisha, Guru Vandana, Teentaal / Vilambhit Laya/ Chaturan and much more which were presented by age groups 6 to 12 years.
To add to the flavour there were Tabla Jugalbandi by 2 groups of students 8 years old and they presented the jugalbandi of tihai based on teentaal. There were individual presentations of Piano and Guitar and the youngest Piano Player to demonstrate a western classical piece was just 6 years old and was playing a piano like a professional.
The Band Presentation of a Bollywood medley also blew away the audience by surprise. The band consisted of Acoustic, Electric and Base Guitarist, Piano Player and Vocalists singing on the beats of the western instruments to the perfection. The overall presentation kept the audience glued to their seats.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, who was present as the chief guest to encourage the students, stressed preserving our classical musical heritage. He said the children should be encouraged from a very young age to learn and perform classical art forms. He gave his special love to all the little ones who performed Indian classical vocal and dances.
The academy’s director Mukta Monish Mehta said everyone has a bit of talent in them. “A right mentorship is required to develop the same and nourish. Music and dance are not bound by age and can be learnt at any age and hobbies keep a person alive and ticking,” said Mehta.
The programme was organized by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Sangeet Academy – Music school in Gurgaon, which was founded in 2017 by classical music performer and educationist Mukta Mehta and her father Professor Baldev Singh Bali (Disciple of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi) along with Pandit Ji’s both sons – Jayant Joshi and Srivinas Joshi.
Pt. Bhimsen Joshi was born on February 4, 1922. This year happens to be the 102nd Birth Anniversary of the legendary classical singer, Bharat Ratna awardee Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. To celebrate the birth anniversary the academy organized “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” the annual day celebration wherein the students of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Sangeet Academy showcases their learning in classical art forms including music, dance and singing.
The classical performances started with Saraswati Vandana performed by a group of senior students depicting that there is no age to learn. In the classical vocal performance the youngest batch of 4 years+ performed Chota Khayaal in Raag Yaman elaborated with Aalaap and Taans. A similar group of girls (4 years+) performed Kathak on Mahishasur Mardani stotra.
An eight-year-old student brother and sister performed Raag Bhairav Chotta Khayaal Bandish detailing with the Sargam, Aalaap Taan and Tarana. There were solo presentations of Raag Vrindavani Sarang by Prisha and Raag Bihaag by Dhruv both aged 12 years which showcased the depth and how elaborate classical learning can be, which became a motivation to other students as well as the spectators. The presentation of Raag Yaman & Sargam geet by young talent of 5years to 8 years was worth watching.
It was followed by more classical presentations of Dadra, Raag Alahiya Bilawal and a few bandish and presentations in Mishrit Raags also enhanced the overall experience.
Similarly, there were solo presentations and group presentations in Kathak which were by all age groups starting with 8 years+ to 40 years. A kathak presentation based on Mathura famous “Mohan Kelat Holi” which was presented by Kathak dancers aged 4 years.
Classical Kathak Presentations of Janani Janm Bhoomisheha, Thumri, Namami Shamisha, Guru Vandana, Teentaal / Vilambhit Laya/ Chaturan and much more which were presented by age groups 6 to 12 years.
To add to the flavour there were Tabla Jugalbandi by 2 groups of students 8 years old and they presented the jugalbandi of tihai based on teentaal. There were individual presentations of Piano and Guitar and the youngest Piano Player to demonstrate a western classical piece was just 6 years old and was playing a piano like a professional.
The Band Presentation of a Bollywood medley also blew away the audience by surprise. The band consisted of Acoustic, Electric and Base Guitarist, Piano Player and Vocalists singing on the beats of the western instruments to the perfection. The overall presentation kept the audience glued to their seats.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, who was present as the chief guest to encourage the students, stressed preserving our classical musical heritage. He said the children should be encouraged from a very young age to learn and perform classical art forms. He gave his special love to all the little ones who performed Indian classical vocal and dances.
The academy’s director Mukta Monish Mehta said everyone has a bit of talent in them. “A right mentorship is required to develop the same and nourish. Music and dance are not bound by age and can be learnt at any age and hobbies keep a person alive and ticking,” said Mehta.
The programme was organized by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Sangeet Academy – Music school in Gurgaon, which was founded in 2017 by classical music performer and educationist Mukta Mehta and her father Professor Baldev Singh Bali (Disciple of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi) along with Pandit Ji’s both sons – Jayant Joshi and Srivinas Joshi.