Mishra brothers weaved magic at the finale of 37th Saptak Annual Music Festival

The last day of the Saptak Music Festival vibrated with an exhilarating performance of khayal singing by maestros Pt. Rajan – Sajan Mishra. It left an indelible image of craftsmanship on the classical music lovers of Ahmadabad.

For the Mishra brothers music is worship and adoration. They offer their music at the feet of Goddess  Saraswati.

They treated us to an invigorating performance of ragas Kausi-Kanada, Madhukaunsa and a devotional piece in Bhairavi. The main thrust of their style is the relaxed development of composition and mood of the raaga.They maintain a purity of raga in every phase of the presentation. Many of the most complex and difficult taan patterns are reminiscent of the great singers of the bygone era. The taans are ornamented with grace notes which is a task in the fast rhythm.

Mishra brothers began the programme with raga Nayaki Kanada. It belongs to Kafi family and has notes dhaivat re pa union as the signature notes of the raaga. They sang three compositions in the raaga namely ‘banara mora pyara‘ in slow tempo in ektaal. Middle tempo composition in teen taal ‘sajan bin niras bhai’ followed the ektaal. They continued with raag Madhu Kaunsa. They concluded with a devotional composition ‘ dhanya bhagsevaka avasara payo’ in raag Bhairavi rendered  with devotional feeling. The whole programme was a medley of rhythm..Thus the last night of the festival was a a night of mishra brothers magic. They were accompanied on tabla by Shri. Sanju Sahay and on harmonium by Shri. Sumit Mishra.

The vocal rendition was preceded by santoor playing by Shri. Satish Vyas. And the day started with an ensemble performance by students of Hemchandracharya Sanskrut Paathshaala. Another significant performance of final day was Bharatnatyam performance presented by Mallika Sarabhai and Revanta Sarabhai, which marked the maiden Bharatnatyam presentation on stage of Saptak.

Photographs : Aditya Sharma