Ustad Ali Akbar Khan - A Musical Tribute

The Ali Akbar Khan Memorial concert organised jointly by Art & Artists (Durga Jasraj) and Pancham Nishaad (Shashi Vyas) was an outstanding tribute to the maestro. Both, Shashi & Durga have over the years, given to music lovers an intangible treasure trove of magical moments! A mix of the young and the not-so-young musicians gave us an opportunity to musically pay our respects to the departed soul. Thanks Durga! Thanks Shashi!

The morning session commenced with a serene flute recital by Rakesh Chaurasia, the erstwhile nephew of Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia. Rakesh is carrying forward the tradition in right earnest. I had the privilege of accompanying Rakesh on the Tanpura, even as I paid homage to the maestro.

Devaki Pandit performed next and amazed the audience with her mellifluous renditions.

Yogesh Samsi's Tabla solo performance reiterated the fact that he is a gifted artist and a diligent student of late Ustad Allah Rakha Khansaheb.

Shaunak Abhisheki's energetic voice took us back in time and reminded us of his father Pt Jitendra Abhisheki's power packed performances.

Pt Nayan Ghosh is an extremely talented artist who performs with equal ease, both on the Sitar and the Tabla! That morning he gave us an impeccable sitar recital.

Shri Anup Jalota took to the stage next and regaled the audiences with some of his popular bhajans. The audiences sang along, thus creating a harmonious blend.

The morning session concluded with a recital from a magician...Dr. L. Subramaniam! In my opinion, there is seldom born an artiste who with his music not just leaves you moist-eyed but also gives you a glimpse of the divine! The violin in Dr L. Subramaniam's hands creates vibrations of a cosmic nature. The unpretentiousness of his persona coupled with the celestial sounds emanating from his violin, leave me greatly humbled!

With such ethereal music around, I wonder, what else am I seeking? Isn't this 'Nirvana'?

Not just another birthday!

Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia’s birthday on 1 July is a day we look forward to eagerly. For us, it’s a day of celebration....celebrating God’s gift to all of us…celebrating the fact that we live in the same era as him!

On 1 July this year, all of us gathered at the Gurukul and spent a blissful evening together. We had 4 different varieties of cake…yes Rajeev, this one’s for you! ;-) The highlight of the evening though was the aesthetically produced film on Panditji, with relevant clippings of the previous year’s evening. Rajeev, thanks for a replay of memories.

Let me share with you the magical evening we had a year ago, on his 70th birthday.

The students of Vrindaban Gurukul along with his family and his well wishers decided to make it a special day for Panditji. The evening definitely deserved an element of music but the kind that would give a glimpse of a not so known brilliance of Panditji. He’s worked his magic in most songs in films of yesteryears and has associated closely with music directors of then. Besides ofcourse creating the famous duo 'Shiv-Hari with Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma! We chose some of the popular songs and had a team of musicians and singers to perform these songs live. Now to tell his story, who better than himself! To engage him in conversation, we needed someone who understood music; capable of thinking on one’s feet and a popular figure in his own right!

The choice boiled down to one person…Sonu Niigaam, who gracefully accepted our invitation to be the host! And the event was set – “Hari Rang, Hari Sang”

The evening unfolded with a flute recital by the students of Vrindaban Gurukul paying a tribute to their Guru.

Panditji’s biography ‘Woodwinds of Change’ was ready and we were looking for someone befitting to do us the honors of launching the same. We couldn’t look beyond Mr Amitabh Bachchan. Formalities done, we had his consent and both he and Mrs Jayaji kept their date with us at the Nehru Centre, Mumbai. To quote Mr Bachchan, ‘main yeh nahi kahoonga ke yeh mera sobhagya hai; balki, yeh mera kartavya hai!’

Sonuji, Suresh Wadkarji and Devki Pandit too regaled the audiences with one song each….

Panditji’s 70th birthday celebrations have been etched in the memories of those present there, even as we look ahead at making it grander for his 75th!
Amen!

It's all about Passion!

Intriguing! The path one's life takes, after one has allowed passion to take over one's life!

My journey with the world of music has been sprinkled with joys and surprises, not to forget the occasional pain.....

From being seated in a Rs 20/- spot, I, over time made it to the stage, 'an untrained musician'! As an accompanying artiste....a Tanpura player to the likes of Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pt Jasraj, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Dr Balamurali Krishna, Kala Ramnath, Rakesh Chaurasia, Rupak Kulkarni.....

For posterity, many music albums have my name in the credits as Tanpura accompanist...

I have also had the privilege of being the MC for many concerts, those of Smt Kishori Amonkar, Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia.....

Then began a journey very close to my heart.... I was given an opportunity to combine 2 of my passions - music and writing! What began as an inspiration, having been invited to hear his partly-recorded semi-classical album, Sonu Niigaam believed in me and asked me to do the sleevenotes for 'Classically Mild'! Having impressed Saregama, the record company, I was offered many more albums...over 35 to date! And in each of these, I have been given the credit, 'Sleevenotes by Geetha Balsaara'!

Over the last weekend, yet another gauntlet was thrown my way. Sonu Niigaam, having visited Michael Jackson's home soon after the legend passed away, was inspired to dedicate a song to MJ. Sonuji invited all on his fan page on facebook, to contribute to the lyrics. I was curious to test my skills and penned a few lines. Sonuji's response was 'Awesome Geethaji...nice poem..but am looking for a song'

The next 2 hours were spent on the net studying 'how to pen lyrics for a song'. Great learning there... I found myself writing afresh, now with a song structure in mind... Sonuji was thrilled and applauded me for the effort...but yet the task master wasn't satisfied! I went back to the drawing board and finally emerged as one of the 4 'lyricists' that have been shortlisted. I don't know what lies ahead...but for Sonuji to've even brought me to this point, makes it a proud moment for me!

And as most of you already know, today 'music' is my profession, albeit as an event & artiste manager!

Challenges in life ready you for immortality!

Michael Jackson - Gone too soon!

The King of Pop; The King of Entertainment
The power of his music coupled with his 'eccentricities' have made him a legend, leaving his indelible mark in the annals of the 'HIStory'of Music!

'Gone too soon', his tribute to Ryan, a 14 year old AIDS victim, ironically conveys our own sentiments today! A very 'unlike' Jackson number..

http://www.videocure.com/myvideo.php

Like a comet
Blazing 'cross the evening sky
Gone too soon

Like a rainbow
Fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon

Shiny and sparkly
And splendidly bright
Here one day
Gone one night

Like the loss of sunlight
On a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon

Like a castle
Built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon

Like a perfect flower
That is just beyond your reach
Gone too soon

Born to amuse
To inspire to delight
Here one day
Gone one night

Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon
Gone too soon

Bye MJ, we’l all miss you very much!
Good bye!

I received this sad news early this morning from Sonu Niigaam.....
In his words,
'Michael Jackson becomes one with the Universe. At least now the world will give him his due. Prayers.'

Rakesh Chaurasia says:
'This is the biggest loss to the world of pop Music'

Abhijit Pohankar says:
'That's the saddest news one can get. I was his biggest fan'

MJ - R.I.P!

My Secret!

Today, am tempted to share a secret... The secret of what music does to me!

As I’ve confessed, am not a trained musician. I do not understand the grammar! All I know is, the music I listen to gets leveraged to great heights, the moment it touches a chord in me! A spiritual chord… Music to me is alchemy! From the deep vales of emotional disturbances, I soar to levels of sheer intoxication and fresh revelations.

Music has been a companion through the best and the most trying periods of my life. The silent strength one imbibes through music makes itself known only when life throws you a monstrous challenge. A situation that raises its ugly hood, instilling fear beyond any sense of comprehension. It was at such a time, I was made aware of the silent powers of music.

The sudden passing away of my husband brought life to a standstill. The impact of such an unexpected shock could have damaged me beyond recognition. Strangely, at that moment a super human power overtook me and enabled me to conduct myself with serenity and peace, much to the bewilderment of onlookers. The general impression most had was, I’d slipped into shock and was unaware of the seriousness of the situation. My calm handling with a presence of mind going beyond human realms in the given situation, strengthened my unwavering faith in an unseen power.

Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma the Santoor maestro, made an interesting observation and credited this courage to my close association with music over the years!
He made me realize the true Power of Music!

A legend moves on!!

Ustad Ali Akbar Khan! The 'Sarod' will never sound the same again! A colossus in the world of Indian Classical Music, his phenomenal presence touched generations across 5 decades!

A Padma Bhushan and a Padma Vibhushan recipient, Khansaheb had been designated a 'Living National Treasure' in India.

My journey with Indian classical music brought me opportunities of personal interaction with the legend. One of the earliest memories I have of him is of a concert at the Shanmukhanand Hall, Mumbai. He was accompanied by Ustad Alla Rakha, yet another name this country is proud of. The music being created that evening was sheer magic!

During one of my visits to the US of A, I was accompanying Pt Jasraj. Panditji was scheduled to've a concert at Khansaheb's Music School in California. When we got there, I was introduced to Khansaheb who very lovingly took me by my hand and gave me a personal tour of the entire Ali Akbar College of Music. We exchanged notes on a number of topics and I was overwhelmed by the attention being meted out to me! I was also introduced to his lovely wife Mary, who sat us down very graciously to some tea! My hands were trembling with a mix of excitement and slight nervousness as I brought the cup to my lips. 'Chai' with the legendary maestro is definitely not everybody's cuppa tea!

That evening, even as I played the Tanpura, I was privileged to share the stage with Pandit Jasraj and Ustad Zakir Hussain while Ustad Ali Akbar Khan witnessed the performance! What a blessed evening that was for me!

We, the music aficionados of the world will miss Khansaheb greatly!
May his soul rest in peace! May his music remain eternal!

A brush with a Mangeshkar!

Radha Mangeshkar, the talented 3rd generation singer, Pt Hridaynathji's daughter! Following the launch of her recent album, 'Naav Majhe Shaami', the enthusiastic Yojanaji from Saregama (HMV)invited me yesterday to interview and moderate Radhaji's interaction with music lovers at Rhythm House as part of the promotional package. I was thrilled and looked forward to the experience. Gaurav Bangia, an extremely gifted singer and a dear friend accompanied me and participated in the exercise. It was interesting to watch one artiste interview another. The observations and insights are unusual!

Radhaji is a wonderful, young lady with feet planted firmly on terra firma. With no airs about her famous surname, she chatted as any other friend. Spoke about her growing up years and the experience of being born a 'Mangeshkar'! She is a post-grad in Indian Philosophy. To my query about an alternate career beyond music, she shyly responded, 'Teaching'! Soft spoken and genteel, Radha has her own distinctive voice with a texture far different from the ones currently heard. Drawing inspiration from Noor Jehan (besides the family members), Radha is a fresh name to reckon with on the musical horizon.

We wish her a long and enriching musical journey!

Stuff dreams are made of!

January 26, 1992 - A nationwide announcement is made proclaiming the Padma award winners for the year. On the list is Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, a Padma Bhushan awardee. I was one of the many friends/well-wishers to congratulate him.

Soon after, I was accepted as a part of the Chaurasia family and was given the honor of managing his correspondence, concert enquiries, ticket bookings, etc. My first lesson in ‘Artiste Management’!

Sometime in February/March a letter arrived from the Home Ministry intimating Panditji of the date of the award ceremony, 6 April!

One of the interesting aspects of a Padma award ceremony is the rehearsal that is conducted at the venue, the Rashtrapati Bhavan a couple of days prior to the actual ceremony. The date that year for the same was 4 April.

As luck would have it, Panditiji had a prior commitment for a concert in Paris for the same day. He asked me to respond to the letter saying he would not be present at the same but would ensure being there on the 6th. He also indicated that Geetha Balsaara would represent him at the rehearsal!!!

Well, Panditji’s request was accepted and I, Geetha Balsaara was to legally ‘impersonate’ Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi!

On April 3, even as Mrs Anuradha Chaurasia boarded an airplane from Bombay, I did the same from Indore where I was for a business meeting. We arrived in New Delhi and were escorted to Hotel Janpath.

On the morning of the 4th, we drove down to the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan which I had only viewed from the outside on one of my visits to the city a decade ago. As we got to the Ashoka Hall, I was led to the seat marked ‘Pt Chaurasia’, while Mrs Chaurasia took her seat in the audience. Every ‘original’ awardee was present and seated just as the proceedings began.

Each awardee’s name is called out and he/she is expected to walk over the red carpet leading to the President, greet his Highness, accept the award and return to his/her seat. The only difference being, at the rehearsal it is a dummy President! Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia! Suddenly all eyes turn towards this young lady walking down the red carpet. If only those present could hear my heart pounding away, they’d have wondered how Panditji’s name was being accompanied by the rhythmic ‘lub dub’ of a human heart!

Having finished with the ceremony, all the awardees are expected to move into the inner hall for a high tea ceremony with the President. Yes, the rehearsal also included this bit and the ‘chai’ being served was real! At this ‘chai’ session, I was ‘assaulted’ by many enquiring after Panditji. One of the interesting encounters I had was with Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was then the Padma Vibhushan awardee. He came up to me and jocularly said ‘hame nahin pata tha ke duplicate ko bheja ja sakta hai’ to which I humbly replied ‘main Panditji ki duplicate bilkul nahin hoon, Main to sirf unki bhakth hoon jisko yeh mauka diya gaya hai’!

Soon after the tea session we were asked to gather in the beautiful Moghul garden on the rear side of the Rashtrapati Bhavan for a photography session. Each awardee was assigned his/her position for the ‘real’ session to be held soon after the ‘real’ award ceremony.

6 April, early hours, New Delhi airport. Mrs Chaurasia and I receive Panditji and drive back to the hotel to dress for ‘the’ ceremony. Even as Panditji was shaving I felt it was my duty to ‘impart’ the knowledge I’d imbibed as a dummy awardee! He was amused by my entire account and kept reassuring me that he’d do just fine. Seeing that mischievous look on his face made me question myself as to how difficult would it be for someone capable of making the ‘Bansuri’ sing, to just follow the actions of the previous recipient! To him, this entire exercise was to give me an experience of a lifetime! A memory so deeply etched, that even 17 years later I vividly recall each frame and construct the happenings of that day as it unfolded!

We arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and took our seats, me adjacent to Mrs Chaurasia, now in the audience! Even as all the awardees took their seats my eyes scanned the entire space to assure myself of it all being real! Just as my eyes swept across the faces present, I noticed a face, beyond which my eyes refused to move! Mr Amitabh Bachchan!! He was there accompanying Smt Jaya Bachchan, a Padma awardee herself.

My growing up years associated Hindi films with only one entity, Mr Amitabh Bachchan! And here he was in flesh and blood!

Soon after the award function, we moved to the area for high tea. The President, Shri R.Venkatraman came around and met each one present. No doubt it was a privileged moment for me but I was extremely distracted by those penetrating eyes from across the room! My Idol, my God, was just a few feet away….I became adamant (a trait Panditji hadn’t experienced until then) refusing to move out of there until a formal introduction was made. God was on my side and I noticed both, Mr and Mrs Bachchan gravitate towards Panditji. My heart raced faster and I clutched on to an invisible power, lest I lose consciousness. Panditji was gracious enough to introduce me. One of those rare moments when the decision of joining palms in a Namaskar vis-à-vis extending palm for a handshake became a life and death situation…how could I let go of an opportunity to ‘touch’ my God!
In retrospect, that must’ve been one of my clumsiest greetings to date!

The wealth I came back with could not have been stacked away in any locker or treasure chest. It was deposited in my memory bank account and each time I take a dip there, I come back enriched!

A. R. Rahman - 'Jai Ho'

Yes, I was at Mr Rahman’s magnificent ‘Jai ho’ concert held in Pune on 31 May, Sunday! With over 70 musicians, dancers, gymnasts, well, this is one show whose sheer magnitude and production values leave one awe-struck! The huge screen in the background projecting videographics in sync with each song, the multi-level stage and Mr Rahman’s presence made for a highly intoxicating evening!

Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam, Roop Kumar Rathod, Rashid Ali, Raja Hassan and a plethora of other singers enthralled the 45,000 + crowd.

The highlight of the evening per my opinion, was the Master on the piano even as Hariharan sang ‘Tu he re’……embellishing it with spontaneous ‘harkatein’ (ornamentation)! His rendition left me with a lump in my throat!

The concert was held in aid of the Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation. Didi, Ushaji, Hridaynathji, Adinath and Baiju were there in full strength. Mr Rahman’s humility shone brightly as Didi showered praises on him and congratulated him for having brought glory to the country vis-à-vis the Oscars! She began in Marathi and swiftly switched to Hindi explaining the maestro’s inability to understand Marathi. Head bowed, he quickly and shyly spoke into the microphone, “I understand’! When asked to say something, Rehmansaheb, as Didi referred to him, softly said ‘lets get on with the music’!

The talent and caliber of each artiste present on stage left the audiences asking for more, not wanting the evening to end… Fortunate were those present!

My sincere gratitude to Deepakji who had conceptualized the show and granted me a vantage seat. The mammoth task of conceptualizing something of this scale, requires a very different bent of mind….’a beautiful mind’! Thanks Deepakji!

I left the Balewadi stadium with a great sense of pride stemming from Mr Rahman being a son of the soil to which I too belong!
I had just watched a ‘Visionary’ in action!!!

The Mangeshkars!

Was privileged to be invited to the launch of Radha's (Pt Hridaynathji's daughter) first music album - 'Naav majhe Shaami'! The evening commenced with Panditji regaling the audiences with some legendary songs..a walk down memory lane! What amazed me most was the tremendous control over his breath.. Thus giving us a glimpse of the long hours of 'Riyaz' thats stood him in good stead! Shortly, Radha joined him on stage and together they rendered some soulful music.

The album launch ceremony was an extremely dignified one with the lyricist Shri Sudhir Moghe sharing his experiences with the Mangeshkars over the years.

When 'Didi' took to the microphone, there was pin drop silence in the auditorium. The 'Nightingale' began her speech in a soft voice, that was sheer 'music' to the listener. Her joy at launching Radha's album, who she referred to as a daughter, knew no bounds. Didi referred to the pride her parents (Master Dinanath and Mai) must be feeling, even as a member of the third generation takes her first step!

I got lucky and was given the opportunity to meet the 'Goddess' herself. Although I've met her on a couple of ocassions in the past, each meeting is an exhilirating experience. Her aura...the radiance on her face...the divinity in her voice...Lata Didi! One name that encompasses all that Music embodies! Touching her feet is akin to a temple visit... How fortunate we are to be living in the same era as such greats!

Yes, I’d Arrived!

The morning of 31 December, 1991 dawned; my heartbeat had doubled through the night. After having stood in long queues for concert tickets, here I was being invited by one of my Gods. As instructed I reached the concert venue in Vile Parle, a suburb of Mumbai. With trembling feet I walked to the green room looking for Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia. There he was, looking resplendent, attired in the traditional Dhoti-Kurta. The vermillion ‘tilak’ adorning his forehead can be mesmirizing as I was to soon learn! The invite for the concert was handed over to me and I gingerly made my way into the auditorium. Having noticed ‘Row A’ on the card, I wondered if I’d ‘arrived’! Yes, that evening was indeed a message from the heavens, proclaiming my ‘arrival’ as a significant member of the audience!

Synchronicity!

Synchronicity seems to have become the recent mantra of my life! Many happenings of late are related to either thoughts or actions that occur just prior to an incident.

The early hours of the morning of 29 Dec, 1991 was one such!

Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia had announced a grand musical night for 28 December, 1991 at the Shivaji Park, Mumbai. A historic one as until then the grounds had been used only for political rallies!
As for most concerts, I had picked the tickets for 3 of us....my sister, niece and myself. Having attended concerts through the previous 2 nights, I was fatigued and a little reluctant to go to this one. But since the night promised a dance jugalbandi between the maestros Pt Kelucharan Mohapatra (Odissi) and Pt Birju Maharaj (Kathak), my sister insisted we go! And go we did!

The night was indeed magical as 2 maestros took to the stage each time for unique ‘Jugalbandis’ or duets. Even so many years later I’ve vivid memories of that divine night. Master after master took centerstage and music flowed like celestial outpourings! Jugalbandis between Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia & Pt Jasraj; Pt Bhimsen Joshi & Dr Balamurali Krishna.... The icing on the cake was Ustad Zakir Hussain’s participation in most of these. It was a blessing to be just seated there and let the music seep into our very beings.

Just as the night was merging with the wee hours of the morning, I decided to stretch my legs and walk around the open space. As I was on my way back, I chanced on Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia. I took the opportunity to go up to him and express my gratitude for the musical bliss. Having successfully accomplished the challenge of bringing together on one stage so many artists, Panditji seemed relaxed and receptive to my presence. He was kind enough to ask for my name and immediately invited me to his forthcoming concert on 31 Dec!

Did I accept his invitation? I would’ve been foolish not to!
‘Synchronicity’ had just begun her mystic game...

Rejuvenation!

Hi All! Yes, it has been an interval that went beyond its allotted time! But here I am, back! And to those who visited here and missed me, a big ‘Mwah’!

While on my break, I had some interesting experiences. I was tucked away in the beautiful lap of nature. At KARE, a naturopathy centre overlooking the pristine, picture perfect Mulshi lake (near Pune). My feeling is, anybody who gets here to treat a medical problem starts right away upon arrival. One look at this scenic spot and you are washed clean! And for the likes of me who reach there for no specific reason, a Rejuvenation of mind, body and soul is the surprise package! Dr Prakash Kalmadi with his efficient team is ensuring people who enter their portals, will go home much healthier!

The Yoga, delicious health food and relaxed massages are a treat to the physical form. What impressed me most though, is the soft music being continously played in the background. Am a great believer in the healing powers of music. To me there isn’t a better therapy! Music not only eases the tension in your muscles (ain’t the heart too a muscular organ?) but brings about serenity even at the mental levels. And yes, music is a delightful buffet spread for the Soul!

As I had also carried my own choice of music, I offered to play some for everybody’s benefit. Just as we were all relaxing, the evening breeze caressing our cheeks, the melodious strains of Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia’s Bansuri filled the air. The voices automatically lowered in decibels and a meditative calm took over the place.

If only medical care centres, hospitals and the likes concentrated a little more on combining their treatments with music, the results would be astounding!

Interval!

I leave on a brief holiday and should be back very soon!
Until then,

luv life; luv music
Geetha

Kal, Aaj aur Kal!

As is in an Ekta Kapoor serial, am gonna leap ahead a few years and come to the present!
As we go along, shall stop and have a few flashbacks as and when required!

Since the start of 2006, I decided to fly solo and make ‘Events’ an integral part of my professional life. Thus was ‘Aspirationz’ born!
Since my core strengths are artiste relations and event conceptualization, I direct all my energies mainly to these areas!

Have had the privilege of working with some of the best artistes for some of the best Corporates in the country!

A brief overview:

Feb, 2006 - Conceptualised and presented an evening of Indian Classical Music featuring Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia and Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma. The event was part of the “Business Leaders Summit” organized by the Barclays Capital, at the Ananda, Rishikesh and was based on the concept of ‘Basant Panchami’

July, 2006 – “Bollywood Hungama – Odissi Ishtyle” – for the Sangit Kala Kendra, the cultural wing of the Aditya Birla Group

July 2006 – Alka Yagnik Musical Show – for Bank of Baroda as part of their 99th Foundation Day Celebrations

July 2006 – “Sonakshi – a fusion concert” - for the Sangit Kala Kendra, the cultural wing of the Aditya Birla Group

October 2006 - “Bollywood Hungama – Odissi Ishtyle” – for the Archana Trust’s Diwali Celebrations

November 2006 - “Bollywood Hungama – Odissi Ishtyle” – for BG India at the inaugural function of the BG House, Mumbai

February & June 2007 - “Sonakshi – a fusion concert” – for BG India

July 2007 – Jugalbandi concert – Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia & Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma – for Bank of Baroda’s Centenary Year celebrations

November 2007 – ‘Koshish – a musical crossover’ by Shubha Mudgal – for Indian Banks’ Association

November 2007 – ‘Urban Raga by Pt Ajay Pohankar & Abhjit Pohankar – for the Sangit Kala Kendra, the cultural wing of the Aditya Birla Group

March 2008 – Classical Music concert by Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia for Hiranandani Builders & Sri Guruji Art Academy, Thane during the visit of Pujya Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

March 2008 - “Sonakshi – a fusion concert” & a dance program based on film music by Jai & friends – for BG India

March 2008 – ‘Rang Hori’ by Shubha Mudgal – for Anand Rathi Financial Securities.

June/July 2008 – Workshop on “Musical Instruments of India” – for Essar Steel in Mumbai, Hazira & Vizag

July 2008 – “Hari Rang, Hari Sang” – Pt Chaurasia’s 70th birthday celebrations with a unique concept featuring Pt Chaurasia, Sonu Niigaam & live musicians. Here we also got Mr & Mrs Bachchan to launch Panditji’s biography!

July 2008 – Shankar Mahadevan Bollywood Musical Show – for Bank of Baroda as part of their 100th Foundation Day Celebrations

November 2008 – “Sonu Niigaam – Live in Concert” – for Sangit Kala Kendra’s ‘Aditya Birla Awards’ night

March 2009 - “Sonu Niigaam – Live in Concert” – for Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Cricket Club of India

March 2009 – ‘Ta – Dha’ – an evening of rhythm & melody by Taufiq Qureshi and friends, for Mrs Neerja Birla, Aditya Birla Group

Forthcoming:
May 2009 – ‘An introduction to Indian Instruments’ – a lecture-demo addressing the spouses of ex-pat employees of BG India

July 2009 – ‘Ta – Dha’ – an evening of rhythm & melody by Taufiq Qureshi and friends for the JT Performing Arts Centre, Cochin

Thanks Zakirji!

The initial concerts I attended mainly featured Ustad Zakir Hussain and Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma teaming together. The musical chemistry between them is to be heard to be believed! Zakirji’s care coupled with his divine music drew me to these concerts each time. In a couple of years, I had landed a job in the Advertising world. Purchasing concert tickets wasn’t stressful anymore. In fact, I was now able to buy 3 and even take my parents along!

Sometimes if I missed buying my tickets and realized they were all gone, all it required was a call to Zakirji who would ask me to see him just prior to the show at the venue….and I'd follow him into the auditorium!

Today, if am here writing all this with a deep sense of gratitude and am given the honor of sharing the stage with Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, the entire credit goes to Zakirji! But for his intervention in my life, I’d never have known the dynamism of Indian Classical Music, now the elixir of my life!

'Shivgandhar'

An evening well spent amidst some of the legendary artistes of the country.... Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma graced the ocassion as the chief guest. Pt. Ram Narayan, his son Pt Brij Narayan , Dr Sushila Rani, Pt Arvind Parikh, Pt Ashok Sharma, Zarine Daruwala and many others were also present to shower their blessings on Pt. Shivanand Patil. The evening commenced with a classical rendition in Raga Puriya Kalyan, an evening melody. The book 'Shivgandhar' was launched at the hands of Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma. Accompanied by chants, priests from the famous Siddhivinayak Temple felicitated Pt Shivanandji. All the dignitories were presented with a copy of the book and a delightful potted 'Tulsi' plant!

Today's Events

'Shivgandhar' - This evening am scheduled to attend Pt. Shivanand Patil's 50th birthday celebrations at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai. Shall update details upon return!

Had to refuse an invite from KNC Talent for an interesting concert as I'd already committed to the earlier event!
Concert Details below:
Event: Channel V-CONCERT FOR A CHANGE!
Host: KNC TALENT (KURIAN & CO.)
Start Time: Today, May 9 at 6:00pm
End Time: Today, May 9 at 10:00pm
Where: ANDHERI SPORTS COMPLEX
Watch Anushka Manchanda perform Live!

The First Step.....

Just the sound of Indian Classical Music was a sheer magnetic draw….. Akin to the “Naad” or Celestial Sound! The second day on this new path at the IMG Fest, St. Xavier’s College, compelled me to go up to Ustad Zakir Hussain and convey my compliments for the sheer magic his dexterous hands displayed! That moment was a pre-ordained one for me, as I was to learn over the years. His innocent question after the concert expressing his concern over me reaching home safe, led him to ask the many enchanted fans if any of them were going in the direction of my home. When Ustad Zakir Hussain asks, even travelers not headed that way, are more than happy to comply. Thus, I was always escorted home in a car under the distant but watchful eyes of Zakirji. Angels in the form of strangers dropped me to my doorstep, thus ensuring my presence at every subsequent concert!

A long journey had just begun…..

Humble Beginnings…..

I was a student at St. Xaviers College doing my post-grad in Mass Comm! Happened to come across a poster announcing the 3-day festival of Indian Classical Music. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to check it out. Rs 100/- for a 3-day season pass….unaffordable. Only alternative being, reaching the venue 2 hours prior to show time, standing in a queue to pick a daily ‘baithak’ ticket at Rs 20/-! The ‘baithak’ seats meant ‘gaddas’ being strewn along the ‘pillared’ corridor, barely providing a glimpse of the artiste on stage. Well, I consoled myself. Afterall, music was all about ‘listening’ and was best enjoyed with the ‘eyes shut’! I did manage to get there every evening in time to grab a ‘vantage’ point. Concerts then were more ‘real’ and went on into the wee hours of the morning! Just a small issue though…I depended only on public transport then…and at that hour all I was faced with were empty roads and empty tracks! But reach home I did…safe and secure! How? A little patience dearies…will get to that shortly! Meanwhile, my late night sojourns led to battles back home with Appa suspecting his dear daughter’s ‘passion’ for music! Thank God for Amma who came to my rescue!

Geetha's Musings

'While the mind struggles with the mundane, there's another me reaching for the stars'

'To know one's purpose in life is to know oneself. This knowledge is a leap of lifetimes which no clock or calendar can contain'

For Starters.....

Geetam, Vaadyam Tatha Nrityam, Trayam Sangeetam Uchyate.....Sarang Dev, 'Sangeet Ratnakar'

Vocal, Instrumental and Dance, Together complete Music

This space has been created thanks to the prodding from friends who have always wished me well. After having done some private writings and then not so private writings in the form of sleevenotes for music albums, I presume it is time for me to share the happenings in my world, mostly artistic, with friends who might be interested.

Lets just begin with some Starters! Yes, my dear ones, the Foodie in me refuses to lie low! But for here, we shall restrict ourselves to Music being the food for the Soul!

There is no set agenda for this space as I intend sharing my views, thoughts and feelings, leaning mostly towards the art forms, both performing and fine! And occasionally, Spiritual! Cause, that is what makes Geetha Balsaara complete!