Chandigarh, 27 December, Punjabi Dunia Bureau:
Melodic Vocal Recital casts a magical spell on Inaugural day of three-day Hemant Utsav being organized by Pracheen Kala Kendra. Pracheen Kala Kendra needs no introduction as it is the foremost organization dedicated to promote, preserve and disseminate Indian Classical Music and Dance. Kendra organizes various festivals throughout the year in various parts of the country. Now onset of winters, Kendra is organizing a three day Hemant Utsav opening to a serene start with a scintillating performance by Mumbai based eminent Vocalist Ankita Joshi at its M.L. Koser Indoor Auditorium at 6:00 pm onwards. The three day festival of Music is a warm welcome to winters. Sh. Sajal Koser Secretary was present on the occasion.
On this occasion on behlaf of Kendra Shri Sajal Koser gave a humble tribute to its former Additional Registrar Mrs. S Naik who passed away yesterday. Her unparalleled contribution, untiring efforts and dedication towards the fulfillment of Aims and Objects of Kendra, was always remembered by Pracheen Kala Kendra.
Ankita was born with a powerful voice and a creative mind. She started performing early at the age of 6. This gifted child was initially trained in music by her uncle (Mama) Shri Lakshmikant Ravande from the age of 5. Ankita had the courage to meet the legendary vocalist Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj Ji at the age of 10 in the green room of Sawai Gandharva music festivals at Pune. As a childhood she had always admired Pt. Jasraj Ji and followed his musical expressions in her own little way. The Maestro accepted her as a student after listening to her Raag Bihag in the green room and told her to come to Mumbai for guidance under his tutelage, thus her further journey on the path of music began. She performed in many prestigious festivals of India.
After a reposeful aalap, Ankita presented Rag Puriya Dhanashree with a slow-paced bandish, ‘Dhundne Jao,’ in vilambit ek taal. She then moved on to present another traditional bandish, ‘Albeli Ghunghat Khol,’ set to drut teen taal, in her sweet and captivating voice, amidst applause. This was followed by another bandish, ‘Maari Re Shyama.’ She then presented a composition, Chaturang, based on Raga Shyam Kalyan. She kept the audience delighted with the concluding bhajan, ‘Govind Damodar Madhaveti.’ She was accompanied by Mumbai based Tabla player Pt. Ramkrishna Karambelkar on tabla and Sh. Abhinaya Ravande on harmonium. Secretary Shri Sajal Koser honored the artists with a memento and uttariya.”
