Priyanka Gope's Raga Delights unveiled

Talented classical music vocalist Priyanka Gope's latest audio album “Raga Delights” was recently launched at Bengal Shilpalaya, Dhanmondi. Noted artiste Khairul Anam Shakil unveiled the album. The album, produced by Bengal Foundation, contains tracks of a kheyal with a tarana set on Raga Jog Kauns; a thumri on Raga Mishra Khamaj; a Kabir bhajan based on Raga Ahir Bhairav, and a Chaiti.

“The album is one of my long-cherished dreams with which Bengal Foundation is associated.  I eagerly await the feedback of the audience, especially classical music lovers,” said Priyanka Gope.    

Pandit Abhijit Banerjee on tabla and Uday Shankar Malakar on Harmonium accompanied Priyanka on the tracks.

Following the launch of the album, the vocalist, belonging to the Kirana Gharana, performed a kheyal set on Raga Patdwip. Her presentation of vilambit Bandish “Atahi Suhani” was on madhyalaya Roopak Taal and drut ektaal bandish was “Ja Rey Ja Rey Ja Kagwa”.

The special feature of her performance was excellent layakari on ektaal. Priyanka's efforts of making the audience take the essence of the excerpts of the bandish were appreciable.

The artiste's second performance was a Chaiti that features in the album. She also rendered a chhoto kheyal on Raga Kaushik Dhwani. The presentation of the bandish was “Main To Shehzad Ko Dhuran Chalia”.

Priyanka wrapped up her performance with a Meera Bhajan “Kahiyo Rey Prabhu Awan Ki”, set on a morning Raga Bhairavi. Iftekhar Alam Pradhan on tabla, Bizon Chandra Mistry on harmonium and Monira Islam Pappu on tanpura accompanied the artiste.

Bengal Foundation produced Priyanka's other raga-based Bangla songs album “Sur-e Sur-e Dekha Hobey” in 2011. She has received many national and international awards and honours. Apart from studying at Rabindra Bharati University of Kolkata, India, Priyanka took khayal lessons exclusively from Pt. Arun Bhaduri at ITC Sangeet Research Academy. She also learnt thumri from Pt. Urmi Das Gupta and Pt. Purnima Chowdhury, and dhrupad from Falguni Mitra.

Priyanka is now a lecturer at the Department of Music, Dhaka University and a part-time classical music teacher at Chhayanaut Sangeet Bidyaytan.