Durga Puja 2010 .. Aditya's debut performance at a Puja event!

Aditya sang at the Durga Puja celebrations in Brookefields, Bangalore on the auspicious occasion of Shubho Saptami (14th Oct). He was the only child singer and was given the honor of opening the evening's cultural program with a Chotakhayal and a Bhajan in Raag Malkauns! :)

Featured here is a video snippet of the Bhajan.

Meeting with Ustad Rashid Khan!

We were privileged to have attended the grand finale of the Bengaluru International Arts Festival (on Sunday 10-10-10), featuring Ustad Rashid Khan (Hindustani Classical Vocal) and Vidwan TM Krishna (Carnatic Classical Vocal) in a 'Jugalbandi' Concert at the Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru .. Aditya and I were also lucky enough to meet Ustad ji backstage and get his blessings for our musical endeavors! They started with Raag Desh, moved to Raag Kirwani and finally Raag Bhairavi .. Before this, each of the artistes had one or two vocal renditions individually too. Ustad ji sang Raag Puriya Dhanashri. Wah!

This is a very special photograph of Aditya with Ustad Rashid Khan :-)

And one of Ustad ji with me!

Indian Ocean Concert - Bangalore, 29th July 2010

We attended our first ever Indian Ocean concert at Hard Rock Cafe Bengaluru on 29th July 2010 .. Asheem was missed of course, but Susmit Sen, Rahul Ram and Amit Kilam were admirably backed up by Himanshu Joshi (Vocals) and Tuhin (Tabla). Aditya managed to get photo-op time with all the band members! :)

Aditya gazing wistfully at his hero - Amit Kilam, Percussionist and Vocals. Aditya particularly enjoyed the 'Gabgubi' instrument played by Amit! :-)

Making funny faces together! Rahul Ram (Bass Guitar and Vocals) with Aditya ...

Hey, he does smile! Susmit Sen (Co-founder of the Band and Acoustic/Lead Guitar) with Aditya ...

Meeting with God - aka Ustad Zakir Hussain, in Bangalore

This will remain etched in our memory forever. 13th Feb - a date with destiny. We had somehow managed to get tickets for a concert showcasing Ustad Zakir Hussain on Tabla, but hadn't bargained for the bonus at the end ...

The concert itself started with the opening act of Pt. Pravin Godkhindi on Flute, accompanied by Pt. Ravindra Yavagal on Tabla. Pt. Godkhindi was at his mellifluous best in Raag Yaman. The main act was Ustad Zakir Hussain on Tabla, accompanied by Sabir Khan on Sarangi. Sabir Khan is the son and disciple of the maestro Ustad Sultan Khan. Magical tabla playing. What a performance! Absolutely stunning!

And then the bonus ... We managed to somehow push our way through the crowd and meet with Ustad backstage. Yes, an actual face to face, cheek to jowl meeting with the maestro! Here are some photographs. We are still reliving the moment! :-)

Ustad Zakir Hussain comforting Aditya who had to struggle through the crowd to get close to the Ustad. He was gracious enough to hug Aditya and give him a personalized autograph!

Autograph of Ustad Zakir Hussain, addressed to Aditya! Wah Ustad!

Sabir Khan (Sarangi player, and son of Ustad Sultan Khan himself!), Aditya and Anup - Post concert photo op! :)

Ghalib Ghallab (Jazz musician), live at Kyra, Bangalore

Very interesting experience of new-age Jazz music. Ghalib Ghallab is an internationally acclaimed Jazz musician, who sings and plays the Piano (and keyboards) with equal aplomb! His usual performance location is the Caesar's Palace Casino and Restaurant, Las Vegas, but on this occasion he was in India, and performing live at Kyra.

Aditya was entranced by the rhythms and the percussion section .. Insisted on having some photos taken with Ghalib and his son Jihad (Drums), and Ricky Rocha (Congos).

Aditya and the Raghu Dixit Project - 26 Jan 2010, Bangalore!

Celebrating Republic Day in style!

Aditya had a memorable evening at Kyra Theater, when he was invited by Raghu Dixit to join him on stage and sing with the Raghu Dixit Project! This video clip has Aditya singing 'Ninna Poojege Bandhe Mahadeshwara' - Raghu's iconic song from the Kannada movie 'Psycho'.