Chandigarh
5 November 2023
DIVYA AZAD
On the last day of the three-day 45th annual Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan organized by the Indian National Theater in collaboration with Durga Das Foundation, the sitar performance of Surmani sitarist Anupama Bhagwat mesmerized the audience. The audience praised her a lot after listening to the melodious waves of the sitar.
Surmani Smt. Anupama Bhagwat, sitar musician nonpareil, has carved a niche in Indian Classical Music with a versatile & eclectic style. Anupama Bhagwat, a refreshingly versatile sitarist of the current generation, is a leading disciple of the doyen of the Imdadkhani Gharana, Late Pt. Shri Bimalendu Mukherjee (disciple of Late Ustad Enayat Khan and father of Pt. Shri Budhaditya Mukherjee). She has imbibed the vigor that is a hallmark of her Gharana — her style is characterized by scintillating fast taans, mastery of the meditative alaap, and brilliant fluency of melody (raaga-bhava), while remaining true to tradition.
Sitatist Anupama Bhagwat ji began her performance with a soulful Raga Miya ki Todi. This morning Raga expresses the devotional mood and pathos (Virah) bhaav in bhakti ras. In this raga Anupama began with Alaap (a slow description of the raga) bringing the different shades of Gayaki Ang which is the hallmark of Imdadkhani Gharana. followed by Jod Alaap and Jod jhalla. Traditional Vilambit gat in Teentaal with adept Layakari was presented beautifully. Followed by a fast composition in teentaal
Anupama then went on to present the beautiful late morning Raga Alaihya Bilawal showcasing the lyrical nuances and the lilting melody of the Raga. She presented a madhyalaya composition composed by Ustad Vilayat Khan saheb. She concluded her recital with a very beautiful dhun based on folk tune
Vinod Lele accompanied sitarist Anupama Bhagwat very well on tabla.
On this occasion, Indian National Theater President Anil Nehru and Secretary Vinita Gupta said that this year’s Sangeet Sammelan was organized in the memory of the patron of Indian Theatre, late N Khosla. The love shown by the city residents for classical music in this three-day Sammelan organized in the city is commendable and they said that they will continue to carry forward the vision that Late N Khosla had for this organization. They expressed their gratitude to all the artists for making the Sangeet Sammelan a grand success.
