Date:07/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/07/stories/2006120720610300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

A unique experiment

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The 17-raga ragamalika by vocalist Shaunak Abhisheki and the spoilsport played by the sound systems when the sitar artistes Rafique Khan and Shafique Khan were performing were the highlights of the day at Ambedkar Bhavan on day three of the Devanandan Ubhayaker Yuva Sangeet Utsav on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old utsav is clubbed with Bangalore Habba this year.

Though the vocalist, belonging to Jaipur Gharana, began on a dull note in his presentation of the Raga Shree, he showed some of his prowess when he moved into the drut (fast-paced rendition) with the composition, "Guru na kisi ki saachi maanle payari." The tarana composed by his father, Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki, "Taanum taderena... " earned him some audience appreciation.

The 17-raga malika was a unique experiment. The raga changed as the artiste moved from one line to the next. The text had the names of the ragas and adjectives describing their beauty.

However, the Khan brothers never got the sound system right. That the artistes performed ignoring the problem should bring credit to them. The sound engineer was seen blaming the artistes.

The brothers still had a mesmerising effect on the audience, which swayed to the tunes being played.