A night of legends
People from all walks of life flooded the Bengal Classical Music Festival 2015 on its fourth night, to experience the tabla of Ustad Zakir Hussain, an icon of classical music, and Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma's magical santoor recital. Even the oft-modestly filled VIP area spilled over with enthusiastic attendees.
The evening began in sombre remembrance of Qayyum Chowdhury, who passed on at this very stage exactly a year ago. An audiovisual on the artist's life and works was shown before the evening's performances began.
Dance aficionados of Dhaka watched in awe as a new classical dance form left a strong impression on them. Noted Kuchipudi exponents Guru Raja and his wife Radha Reddy, along with daughters Bhavana and Yamini Reddy, showcased the enthralling dance form backed by a live music ensemble. They presented Ganapati Vandana, Shiva Tandava and Krishna Tandava, before closing with a fascinating tarangam, balancing themselves on the rims of brass plates while dancing.
Eminent music exponent and scholar Alimur Rahman Khan then spoke at the event. He thanked Bengal Foundation for debunking his fears that the love for classical music was dead in the country.
Carnatic violin duo Ganesh and Kumaresh Rajagopalan then took the stage, presenting Ragam Malamawavagowla and Ragam Shree Ranjani. Backed by a ghatam and pakhawaj, they showcased drama, romance, melancholy and peace in their presentation.
Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma presented Raga Jogkauns, and after a meditative alap, jod and jhala, he presented a mesmerising recital on rupak and teen taal. In a build-up to Ustad Zakir Hussain, the audience also experienced tabla great Pt Yogesh Samsi, who accompanied Pt Sharma in his first appearance of this year's edition of the festival.
As Pt Tejendra Narayan Majumdar took the stage after midnight to present Raga Hemant on sarod, the galleries -- full to the brim -- awaited Ustad Zakir Hussain, who would be followed by Pt Ulhas Kashalkar presenting dhrupad vocals.
The five-day festival ends today, with stalwarts like Ustad Rashid Khan and Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia set to perform on the closing night.