A boost to classical music

Top: Priyanka Gope (centre) performs at the programme. Bottom: A group rendition by Chhayanaut students. Photo: Mumit M.

As part of its ongoing annual programme, Chhayanaut is holding a three-day classical music festival (both vocal and instrumental) at its main auditorium. Starting on December 24 evening, the festival continued almost at a stretch and comes to an end this morning.
Eminent music exponent of the Vishnupur Gharana (Kolkata) Sangeetacharya Dr. Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay (of Rabindra Bharati University) formally inaugurated the festival as the chief guest.
The programme began with a rendition of the National Anthem, followed by lighting candles as a symbol of diffusing knowledge; honouring the chief guest with a uttario and flowers; speeches by Dr. Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay, Dr. Sanjida Khatun and Khairul Anam Shakil and performances by the students, teachers of Chhayanaut and the chief guest himself.
In his speech Khairul Anam Shakil, secretary of Chhayanaut, said, "Our aim is to nurture and promote all genres of music -- classical, Nazrul Sangeet, Rabindra Sangeet and folk -- in their purest forms."
"Rabindranath Tagore was fascinated with the Vishnupur Gharana and quite a few of his compositions were influenced by this interest," said Dr. Sanjida Khatun, president of Chhayanaut.
"Many prominent ustad and artistes of this subcontinent took music lessons from Sangeetacharya Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay," Shakil said.
During the musical programme, students of Chhayanaut presented a chorus of Yaman, the evening raaga. Priyanka Gope, a teacher of Chhayanaut, performed Raaga Madhumanti, which was followed by an instrumental (tabla) performance with variation by Swarup Hossain.
Ustad Mohammad Yasin Khan presented Raaga Khamaji Durga -- almost similar to Raaga Kaushik Dhwani; the only difference being the Komal Ni.
Dr. Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay performed Raaga Behag followed by Raaga Kafi at the event.
Regular instrumentalists of Chhayanaut assisted the vocalists.
BRAC Bank Limited sponsored the festival. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cooperated Chhayanaut in holding this festival.