Under the Virasat series of SPIC MACAY, the Dhrupad maestros ‘Gundecha Brothers’ gave a wonderful performance here on Friday at Radha Krishna Auditorium, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT).
Pandit Umakant and Pandit Ramakant Gundecha, popularly known as Gundecha Brothers, are the leading exponents of Dhrupad style of music. They actively perform various compositions in Dhrupad style in Indian and international circuits.
They were conferred ‘Padmashree’ in 2012 for their contribution to Indian classical music. The dhrupad duo started off the performance with the Alaap of Raag Bhopali in Dhrupad style. After that, they devotedly presented Ganesh Vandana. Following it, the artists interacted with the audience and clarified their queries and doubts. While interacting with the students during the programme Gundecha Brothers said, “Dhrupad is the base for all kinds of alaaps. Various bhajans of Kabir and other poets also can be rendered in Dhrupad.” They further informed the audience that a day is divided in eight prahars and different raagas are sung in different prahars. They clarified that it is a misconception that Dhrupad is not creative. Instead, the artists have a wide scope in Dhrupad. Even qualified engineers from IITs are learning Dhrupad in their gurukul which is the largest in the world. The artists concluded their performance with an enchanting recital of some padas from the Kishkindha Kand of Raamcharitmanas in Miyan Malhar Raag.
The calm and soulful notes of veena created a serene atmosphere in the hall.