Tribute to the father of symphony in Hindustani classical music
On 29 October this year, a musical tribute was held to honor Timirbaran Bhattacharya, the father of Indian symphony in Hindustani classical music.
Acultural programme, under the joint auspices of Kalamandalam and Kolkata Kairali Samajam, emerged as a creative production of glowing imagination thanks mainly to the performers, Haridas Alankode and Carina Langfeldt, who are well-trained disciples of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Thankamani Kutty respectively.
Santoor, with the blending of Hindusthani classical music and the Sufi tradition of Kerala, acquired the role of a solo instrument. Haridas Alankode with rigorous riwaj, proper talim and creative urge exemplified an inspiring performer. His demonstration of Megh was attractive for its elaborate demonstration of alap, jod, jhala and dhrut gat in teental, which were quite in tune with the majestic dignity of the melody. Alankode amply compensated the limitation of the instrument with stroke work of expansive bistar in alap phase and the tanan portion of gat. His command over gayaki anga and laya work had the stamp of his gharana where due stress is put on the thematic gravity. He was duly accompanied on the tabla by Venugopalam.
The Bharatnatyam of Carina Langfeldt drew appreciation for focusing on the structural grace of the Kalamandam gharana under the training of Thankamani Kutty. Starting with Jatiswaram, Carina passed through Natesha Kavutam, Alampu, Shabdam and Shibastakam. Carina's admirable assimilation of Kutty's talim established the literature of the items perfectly.
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