In connection with their annual Summer
School for North Indian Classical Music at S.O.A.S., part of the
University of London, the Asian Music Circuit presented these
two artists in residence at the first of two recitals at the Purcell
Room. Indian classical music has become increasingly available in UK
concerts and recordings during the last half-century, and it now has
a substantial following amongst British music-lovers, albeit still only
as a delightful exotic novelty. There is a special atmosphere, which
appreciative audiences bring to live concerts of this music. There are
also some strange rituals, as strange as those at western symphony concerts
may be perceived by visitors from other cultures!
The dhrupad singer Uday
Bhawalkar spent most of the first quarter
hour tuning his assistants' two tanpuras (they supply the drone-harmony
background) and the drummer sat waiting for most of an hour whilst Bhawalkar
sang, before he was invited to join in! Usually there are no
helpful programme notes available, and on this occasion the platform
announcement was brief and unenlightening, with no assistance to identify
the ragas chosen or their special qualities. Of
particular note was the slow exposition of the notes, with steady tone
(no vibrato) and continual sliding (portamento) between the notes, controlled
with consummate artistry. There was however an apparent repetitiveness
of similar flourishes which over extended the first half of a long evening
for non-cognoscenti.
Sunanda Sharma was more
easily entertaining in the kyal which she sang, supported with
a rich tapestry of instruments besides the ubiquitous tanpura.
The Indian harmonium and sarangi shadowed her melodies, the latter
uncommonly close to vocal tone. After a shorter delay than in the dhrupad
set, the percussionist joined in on tabla and had some spectacular
solo spots. She related well to her colleagues and (in English) to us.
Everyone should take an opportunity to experience a
concert of Indian Classical Music; the second of these two recitals
will feature the virtuoso singing brothers Rajan & Sajan Misra
and one of the most renowned exponents of the sarod, Buddhadev
DasGupta, who is featured in an important
book, The
Raga Guide,
its covers strengthened by the attachment
of four CDs which survey 74 Hindustani ragas, the best aid I
know towards understanding this music.
Peter Grahame Woolf
Do click onto the two highlighted
links, which give extensive illustrated background
to the Summer School (which PGW attended in 1999) and about recordings,
including those CDs with The Raga Guide. Buddhadev DasGupta and
Rajan & Sajan Misra perform at 7.30 p.m. 31 July, also at the
Purcell Room. (MB)
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