Poornima Chaudhuri on stage
A Hindustani Sangeet Mandal of Ottawa Presentation
Vidhushi Purnima Chaudhuri accompanied by Subhajyoti Guha on Tabla, Pandit Ramesh Misra on Sarangi and Chumki on Tanpura enthralled the music lovers of Ottawa in general and Hindustan music lovers in particular on November 19, 2005. Much awaited concert kept the audience spellbound and keeping to the beat of the music.
Vidhushi Purnima Chaudhuri is an exponent of ‘Thumri’ style of North Indian Music. Initially cited as a ‘raga’ rather than a genre, ‘thumri’ is widely accepted to have started in the 19th century court of Wajid Ali Shah. Changes in the social climate led to the development of two styles of ‘thumri’: one under the tutelage of the landlords of Lucknow, and the other in Banaras and Gaya. The lively beat of the Lucknow ‘thumri’ soon lost its recognition to the ‘chota kayal’, on the other hand, Banaras ‘thumri’ gradually developed into an art form.
Poornima Chaudhuri performing
Purnima Chaudhuri trained in Banaras under the guidance Mahadev Prasad Mishra and is recipient of neumerous prestigious awards both in India as well as abroad. She has also lectured in USA and Europe. She has frequently appeared on Indian Radio and Television and has recorded several tapes and CD’s to her credit.
Pandit Ramesh Misra
Pandit Ramesh Misra is a perfect example of dedication, depth and maturity. He is a phenomenon in the field of Indian Classical Music scene. He is a master of one of the most difficult stringed instrument to play- the Sarangi- Presently Ramesh is being guided by none other than the Great Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar. To his credit Ramesh has also scored music for several Indian cinema.
Pandit Ramesh Misra on Sarangi
Subhajyoti Guha is a young, highly talented tabla player from Kolkata and belongs to one of the new genres of tabla exponents. He was introduced to music at age 5 by his father. He has won several awards including that of President’s award from All India Radio.
Subhajyoti Guha on Tabla
The concert hall was packed to capacity with music lovers coming from even distant parts of Canada. At the end the players received a standing ovation and applause for a very long time.
Author: Dr K.B. Mallya- Canada
