Pandit Shivkumar Sharma mesmerising the audience with his santoor on the third day of the Bengal Classical Music Festival 2014 at the Army Stadium yesterday. Photo: rashed shumon Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, one of the most revered figures in Indian classical music, left an indelible imprint on an audience of thousands yesterday in a spectacular performance of the santoor, employing all its melodic po
tential. Just a day after his son won roaring applause from the audience, Pandit Sharma weaved a web of melodies with Raga Charukesi. Pandit Yogesh Shamsi -- another master of his craft -- accompanied him note for note on the tabla. He finished with a short yet appealing dhun on Raga Pahadi bringing into play the delicate instrument's folk timbre in a poetic imagery of a village belle dancing in the misty valleys of Jammu and Kashmir – where the instrument and the master are both from. “People ask me in India and abroad whether young people listen to classical music anymore. They should come here; the answer is here. I cannot believe what is happening,” a beaming Sharma said in praise of the Dhaka audience. Pandit Sharma was echoed earlier in the evening by renowned Indian classical singer Pandit Vijay Kichlu, also founder of the ITC-Sangeet Research Academy. Speaking as a special guest on the third day of Bengal Classical Music Festival 2014 at the Army Stadium, the eminent artiste admired the sheer enthusiasm evident in the youth. “I have organised nearly 1,000 music conferences in the last 25 years across India and abroad. But I have never seen any festival like what I have witnessed in the last two days. I am overwhelmed,” he said. Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, chief guest of the evening, shared a personal memory before officially inaugurating the third day's performances. He said his father would have been very proud to see him at such a festival. He also underscored the legacy of many great classical artistes who were born and raised in Bangladesh. Advertisement "The Bangladesh government has plans to uphold the country's image to the world, and it will work with Bengal Foundation to achieve that," the minister said. Artistes of Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay sing in chorus at the Bengal Classical Music Festival 2014 on the third day of the event at the Army Stadium yesterday. The festival ends on December 1. Photo: Star Noted Indian artist Jogen Chowdhury commended Bengal Foundation for their multidimensional efforts to revive arts in Bangladesh, saying it required a rare combination to “dream, imagine, plan, and execute” any big idea. Fifteen young Bangladeshi artistes -- the first batch of students from the Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay -- opened the evening's performances in a classical chorus presentation of Raga Kalyan. They were followed by promising Bangladeshi sitar player Nishit Dey who presented Raga Puriya Dhaneshree, being accompanied by Iftekhar Alam Pradhan on tabla. The evening began with 15 young Bangladeshi artistes – the first batch of students from the Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay, who presented a classical chorus on Raga Kalyan. They were followed by promising Bangladeshi sitar player Nishit Dey who performed Raga Puriya Dhaneshree. He was accompanied by Iftekhar Alam Pradhan on tabla. Coming next, vocalist Manjusha Patil performed Raga Chhayanat and a thumri on Misra Khamaj. After Pandit Sharma came on stage vocalist Asit Roy, versatile Carnatic vocalist Vidushi Aruna Sairam, vocalist Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar and sitar player Kushal Das. They each left the audience spellbound with their unique performances. Organised by Bengal Foundation and presented by Square Group, this year's five-day fest will see for the first time the likes of Carnatic percussion icon Guru Karaikudi Mani, classical vocalist Vidushi Kishori Amonkar and sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. Over 60,000 music enthusiasts registered this year for the festival in less than two weeks. Attendance on the first and second day reached 30,000 and 40,000 respectively, most of whom stayed till dawn through the cold and misty winter nights. The Daily Star is a strategic partner to the event, alongside the Prothom Alo. Brac Bank is also supporting the initiative.
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