Our meeting with Dhrupad maestro Guruji Pt. Falguni Mitra

We were very lucky to have the opportunity of meeting Guruji Pt. Falguni Mitra recently. Guruji and Guruma were gracious enough to take time off from their busy schedules to host us at their home. We sought and obtained their blessings and guidance for our musical endeavors. Aditya and I also sang a few bhajans and chotakhayals in their presence, and Aditya had the singular honor of being allowed to play on Guruji's harmonium! Truly a memorable occasion for all of us.

More information on Guruji :

A foremost exponent of Dhrupad, the authentic and respected form of Hindusthani Classical music, Pt. Falguni Mitra was initiated into music by his father, Sangeetacharya Pt. Shib Mitra at the tender age of four and a half. A worthy disciple of Pandit Bholanath Pathakji of Varanasi, a doyen of Betia Gharana, Pt. Shib Mitra had the privilege of receiving “taalim” in Alaap from the legendary musician, Ustad Nasiruddin Khan Sahib of Indore, the patriarch of the Dagars. Thus, Pt. Falguni Mitra combines the Dagar style of “Alaapchari” with the Betia style of Dhrupad and Dhamaar with a distinctive stamp of his own personality.

• http://www.falgunimitra.com/
• http://www.bihaanmusic.com/Falguni-Music%20for%20the%20soul.htm

Gifted with a deep, melodious voice, Pt. Falguni Mitra has inspired a reformation to this unique art-form through successful innovations in its melodic structure and rhythmic variations. The unwavering purity of the Raga, imaginative phrases filled with emotions and nuances, majestic compositions and intricate “laykari” create an aesthetic charm that permeate his vocal renderings.

Pandit Falguni Mitra retired early from an extremely busy top executive position in a multinational US corporation to pursue his first love, music. Currently associated with ITC Sangeet Research Academy as the Prefect and a Guru, Falguni Mitra has been taking part in prestigious music festivals in India and abroad for decades besides being a regular artiste on Akashvani and Doordarshan. Early in his career, he became the youngest musician to perform as a regular artiste on All India Radio, and has subsequently been honored with various awards and titles including the esteemed "Dhrupad Ratna".

A video of Pt. Falguni Mitra found on Youtube

THE photo! Aditya and the Raghu Dixit Project at Kyra Theater, Bangalore

Finally the photo I was waiting for !! Aditya on stage with Raghu Dixit and the others from the band (Vijay Joseph and Darbuka Siva are visible, Jithin Das and Gaurav Vaz just out of the picture frame). Photo credits to Shilpa Sequeira.

Folk Music Concert - Raghu Dixit LIVE in Bangalore

Will be attending the 'Raghu Dixit Project' live concert at Kyra, Bangalore on Friday 8th May, 2009 ... Aditya loves Raghu's music especially 'Mysore se aayi' and 'Ambar', and his soulful renditions of Sant Shishunala Sharif's compositions !

My meeting with a music legend - Manna Dey (Oct 2005)

(Click on photo to enlarge)

This happened a few years ago when I was in Mysore, and was trying to meet Manna Dey to request him to perform live at Mysore. That day did finally dawn (19 Jan 2006), and it was a virtuoso performance!

This photo was taken with the legend at his residence in Bangalore a few months prior to the live concert. And personally autographed by him too!

Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and Manna Dey

Yes, they did sing atleast one song together! Remember this one ? The duet between Panditji and Manna Dey - "Ketaki gulab juhi champaka bana phule" from the film Basant Bahar ?

Panditji sings for the hero's rival, and of course, the hero has to get the better of him, but it seems to be an unfair contest: Panditji sings Basant, while Manna Dey gets to sing phrases from Basant and an additional raga - Bahar!

Late Pandit Fakkiresha Agadi of Haveri (1949-1997)

Popularly known as 'Fakkiresha Gavai' of Haveri, he was born on 30th April, 1949 in Agadi village of Haveri District, Karnataka, to his parents Late Shri Nagappa and Late Smt. Jaanakiamma. Having evinced a keen interest in music at an early age, he had his initial training in music under Pt. Shivayya (Aradhya Math, Haveri). Subsequently he completed his advanced education in Hindustani Music at Gadag’s Shri Veereshwara Punyashrama, as a disciple of Gaanayogi Tribhashakavi Paramapoojya Dr. Puttaraja Gavai.

Recognized as one of the best exponents of the Panchakshara, Kirana and Gwalior Gharanas of Music, Late Pandit Fakkiresha Agadi received multiple honours and titles, notable amongst them being "Gaana Kogile", "Gaana Vishaarada", "Gaayana Ratna" and "Sangeeta Sudhakara". In addition to being one of the featured artistes on Akashvani and Doordarshan, he also displayed his musical repertoire and talent at performances and events in other states like Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He was credited with a revolutionary voice, capable of attracting people from all walks of life, with his skilled renditions of Hindustani Classical Music and Light Music.

Late Pandit Fakkiresha Agadi served as Sangeeta Adhyapaka (Music teacher) at the Govt. Pre-University College at Chitaguppa, Bidar District in 1982. He then served as Music teacher / Staff member at the Govt. Teacher’s Training Institute at Aanavatti, Shimoga District. By this time, his health had unfortunately begun to decline, and this eventually resulted in his untimely passing away on 23rd June, 1997. He is survived by his wife and 4 children.

Foremost amongst the disciples of Late Pandit Fakkiresha Agadi is our Guruji - Pandit Shripad R Gaddi, who enjoyed a 26 year association with his Guru, that included a very intense 4 year internship period where he literally “shadowed” his Guru in everything he did.

Other disciples of Late Pandit Fakkiresha Agadi include Smt. Viraajamma and Smt. Chandramma (who would often be selected by their Guru for special performances during the annual Ganesha festival), and also Smt. Vanaja, Smt. Kirtana, Smt. Gaana and Smt. Sharadamma.

Celebrating the 88th Birthday of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi !!

Wednesday 4th Feb 2009 -> The 88th birthday of Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi!

Saregama India brought out a special CD set "my music - the saregama years" in 4 volumes, to mark the occasion. Its a special collection of Panditji's most memorable performances including some rare Ragas.

Wow! I am waiting to get my hands on this set. Whatever the cost.

Updated on 26 Feb : The set of 4 volumes (8 CDs) costs Rs. 1800. I bought my collection from hamaracd.com (online purchase). Yes !!!!!

Guruji

Our Guruji -
Pandit Shripad R Gaddi

An eminent musician and teacher of Hindustani Classical Music (Vocal), he hails from Hubli of Karnataka State in India. He has been performing and teaching music for many years now, including more than 20 years at Akashvani (Dharwad Kendra).

Guruji spent more than 25 years as a disciple and student of Late Pandit Fakkiresha Agadi (Haveri), and also learnt from legends like Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, and GaanaYogi TribhashaKavi Paramapoojya Dr. Puttaraja Gavai (Gadag).

He is currently based in Bangalore, India and teaches at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Purandhara Bhavan, and also has many other disciples / students (like the 3 of us!) whom he guides at home.

A beginning ...

We started our musical journey many years ago, but the formalization of this quest happened quite recently. This blog will attempt to track our progress. Our ? Yes - all 3 of us! Under the tutelage of Guruji Pandit Shripad R Gaddi, and inspired by his Gurus (including Pandit Bhimsen Joshi himself, and Late Pandit Fakkiresha Agadi), the Vittal parivar (Anup, Bipasha and Aditya) are all learning Hindustani Classical Music ... The youngest of this trio of students (Aditya, aged 10 yrs) is also the most competent!

More details soon