– By Uday Kamath (6/24/2023)
The “Sur and Taal” Concert, featuring the Surbahar and Sitar virtuosos Pt. Sugato Nag and his prodigious son, accompanied by the legend Pt. Anindo Chatterjee was an evening of sheer musical transcendence. This captivating and intimate concert, presented in the exquisite BaiThak style, showcased the pinnacle of Hindustani classical music, leaving the discerning audience spellbound.
The concert’s first part was dedicated to the sublime artistry of Surbahar and Sitar, performed by Sugato da and his son Snehesh Nag. The Surbahar, known for its rich after-plucked sound and sustained resonance, created a superior ambiance, particularly for the alaap. Pt. Sugato da skillfully delved into the depths of very low-frequency sounds, expertly supported by his prodigious son Snehesh on the Sitar. Together, they explored the magnificent raag Charukeshi, delighting the audience with mastery and finesse.
Accompanying the father-son duo was the legendary tabla maestro Pt. Anindo Chatterjee. Ustad Zakir Hussain’s endorsement of Anindo da as “I am lucky to be born in the era of THE ANINDO CHATTERJEE” was well justified throughout the concert. Right from the first bol, Anindo da mesmerized the audience with his profound mastery of the tabla. He skillfully maneuvered through strokes that exhibited his signature clarity and impeccable crispness, solidifying his status as a living legend. The poignancy of the exchanges between melody and rhythm showcased a deep camaraderie and understanding between these two musical giants. Pt. Anindo da also treated the audience to a captivating showcase of his expertise in Tabla’s diverse traditional Gharana compositions, encompassing chalans, gats, tukdas, and relas. Each rendition elicited thunderous applause from the discerning and knowledgeable audience, paying homage to this tabla virtuoso’s unmatched brilliance.
The concert’s second part took the audience on a spellbinding musical odyssey through a collection of ragas, beautifully woven together in a raag mala format. Beginning with the evocative Gaud Malhar and gradually traversing through Shyam Kalyan, Hameer, Jhinjoti, Kamod, Jog, and culminating in the resplendent Gavati raag characteristic of the Imdadkhani tradition, the musicians presented a comprehensive and enthralling array of melodic treasures. While the brilliance of Pt. Sugato da is well-known; it was a sight to behold seeing his prodigious son, Snehesh, playing shoulder to shoulder with these giants of Hindustani classical music. Snehesh’s maturity and musicality were evident as he effortlessly held his own in the presence of such maestros.
Behind the scenes, the dedication and tireless efforts of the volunteers played an indispensable role in making this concert a resounding success. Special recognition is due to Debu da, the backbone of the project, as well as Soumya da, Rajendra Bapat, Milind Pradhan, Asmita Pradhan, Anil Maybhate, Aniruddha Bhakre, NageshPrasanna Kanvinde, Arvind Prabhu, Maya Prabhu, and the two cute Baligas twins, whose relentless commitment ensured a seamless execution. The graciousness of Chaya and Ashwin Baliga in opening their magnificent home for this concert deserves the deepest gratitude. Furthermore, the invaluable support from generous donors such as Gokul Patel, Geeta Manoj Singh ji (dcsaaci.org), Anupama Vajre (cozy-nests.com), Suresh ji, Brendon Redler, Deepa Ramesh, Lipika Ahuja, and Dhruv Chattoraj breathed life into this magnificent endeavor.
The presence of connoisseurs and artists alike graced the concert. Subashish da, Swati, Sid Lahiri, Krishna Ramdas, Alap, Jayasree di, Mayur Dewal ji, Yudhijeet ji, Sudeshna Basu di, Nistha Raj Wright, Bharati Mitra di, Monir Hossain da, Chinmoy Sabud ji, and many others filled the venue, bringing their unwavering support and adding to the vibrant atmosphere. Thank you all!
