The ITC Sangeet Sammelan, 2024, was held on 29th, 30th November and 1st December. The soiree held at the lawn of ITC SRA began with an address by the Executive Director, Mr. Saradindu Dutta. This was followed by the inaugural speech by the Chief Guest, Mr. Vivek Kumar and presentation of the ITC Sangeet Samman to Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar. Ulhas Ji’s speech of gratitude was followed by a performance by Shreya Chatterjee, Scholar of the Academy.
Shreya began her performance with Raga Shuddh Kalyan and concluded with a thumri. She was accompanied by Shri Ashoke Mukherjee on the Tabla and Smt. Rupashree Bhattacharya on the Harmonium. The next performer was Vidushi Kala Ramnath. Kala’s performance in Raga Gorakh Kalyan was accompanied by Pandit Abhijit Banerjee on the Tabla. The first day’s performances were concluded by Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar. Pandit Ji began with Raga Malgunji. Next, he sang Raga Nat Behag and Paraj Kalingda.
The second day of the Sammelan was opened by Sanjukta Biswas and Sabina Mumtaz Islam, both Ex-Scholar’s of the Academy. First, the duo sang Raga Poorvi, which was followed by a thumri and a dadra. The next performer was Ayan Sengupta, Musician Tutor of the Academy. Ayan played Raga Jhinjhoti and was accompanied by Pandit Abhijit Banerjee on the Tabla. Ayan’s performance was followed by a performance by Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty. Pandit Ji began with Raga Chandrakaushiki. Next, he sang Raga Bageshree and a thumri. He was accompanied by Shri Jyotirmoy Banerjee on the Harmonium and Pandit Yogesh Samsi on the Tabla. Vidushi Subha Mudgal delivered her performance in Raga Chayanat after Pandit Ji. She then sang Raga Nayaki Kanada, a thumri and a dadra. Subha Ji was accompanied by Shri Aneesh Pradhan on the Tabla Shri Sudhir Nayak on the Harmonium. The next performance was a Tabla and Ghatam duet by Shri Ojas Adhiya and Shri Giridhar Udupa. They improvised on various compositions of Teentaal and Adi Talam. Ojas and Giridhar were accompanied by Shri Milind Kulkarni on the Harmonium. Ojas and Giridhar’s performances were followed by a performance by Shri Rakesh Chaurasia. Rakesh Ji began with Raga Kaunsi Kanada and gradually played Raga Vachaspati and Mishra Pahadi. He was accompanied by Shri Satyajit Talwalkar on the Tabla. The second day’s recital was concluded by Pandit Uday Bhawalkar. Uday Ji began his performance with a Dhrupad in Raga Bhairav and concluded with Bhairavi as dawn approached. He was accompanied by Shri Pratap Awad on the Pakhawaj.
The final day of the Sammelan began with a performance by Anagha Bhat, Ex-Scholar of the Academy. Anagha began with Raga Shree and concluded with an abhang. She was accompanied by Shri Gourab Chatterjee on the Harmonium and Shri Bivash Sanghai on the Tabla. The next performer was Koustav Roy, Scholar of the Academy. Koustav delivered his performance in Raga Marwa and was accompanied by Shri Jayanta Sarkar on the Tabla. This was followed by Shri Brajeswar Mukherjee’s performance in Raga Gawati. He concluded with a thumri. Brajeswar was accompanied by Shri Bivash Sanghai on the Tabla and Shri Gourab Chatterjee on the Harmonium. The ITC Sangeet Sammelan, 2024 came to an end with a performance by Pandit Budhaditya Mukhopadhyay. Pandit Ji started with Raga Puriya Dhaneshree and concluded with an alaap in Raga Mishra Piloo. He was accompanied by Shri Soumen Nandy on the Tabla.
Photos: Sayan Deb Chaudhury