The Friday evening Antarang Hall of Bharat Bhavan was filled with the charismatic and enchanting music of Banaras Gharana.
The Banaras Mahotsav had a grand opening with the splendid performance by renowned shehani player Ghulam Mohammad. Also a duet performance by Ritesh-Rajneesh Mishra and a Kathak performance by Saurav-Gaurav market the colourful evening.
The concert began with the melodious performance of eminent Shehnai player Ghulam Mohammed with his troupe. Mohammed, who is nephew of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan, started his performance with Raga ‘Gorakh Kalyan’. It was in 10 matra and teen taal. He wrapped up his performance with a mesmerising tune of Kajari which won the heart of music lovers.
He was accompanied by Zafar Ahmed on tabla, Sarvar Hussain on Dukkar, Aalim Raza on Surpeti, Ismile Hussain and Kausar on Sehnai.
“I took initial training from my uncle Ustad Bismillah Khan and later from Mhommed Ismile and Mahboob Ali,” said Mohammed.
The second half of programme began with the duet of Ritesh duet of leading singer Ritesh- Rajneesh Mishra, son of renowned vocalists of Banaras Gharana Pt Rajan-Sajan Mishra. They presented some fine raags which delighted the music lovers. Pt. Kamta Prasad Mishra accompanied them on harmonium and Subh Maharaj of Banaras gharana on tabla.
“We have huge collection of audio recording after 1912 of many legendaries artists out of which the recording of our fathers of 4600 hrs. We think that we should always learn from old people,” said Mishra brothers.
They also elaborated that “As per us, there should make only one gharana i.e. Hindustatni Gahrana after removing all gahrans.”
The programme concluded with scintillating kathak duet of leading dancers of Saurav- Gaurav Mishra. They presented the disappearing bandishes of Banaras gharana. They began with Vishnu Vandna ‘Shantaram Bhujang Saynam Padmanabham Sureshnam…”. They also presented ‘Natwari Nritya’, which was dedicated to lord Shiva. Pt. Kamta Prasad Mishra accompanied them on harmonium and Subh Maharaj of Banaras gharana on tabla, Ravishanker on Padhant, Santosh Mishra on vocal, Anish Mishra on Sarangi.
“Kathak was the thing of Mughal period. Before this, it was presented in temple. There is three gharanas of Kathak including lucknow for Ada Kathak, Banaras for devotional kathak and Jaipur,” added Mishra brothers.
The opening was an extravagance for the music lovers of the city.