Remarkable Flute recital by Pandit Rajendra Prasanna & Soulful vocal recital by Padmashree Pandit Venkatesh Kumar mark the opening day of 5th Annual Guru M.L. Koser Music & Dance festival 2017.
New Delhi: Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, the premier organization dedicated to the promotion, preservation and dissemination of Indian classical art and culture with a Pan- India witnessed an incredible vocal recital by distinguished and prominent Vocalist Venkatesh Kumar and a melodious flute recital by Pt. Rajinder Prasanna at Stein Auditorium , India habitat Centre here today. The musical event went on to a majestic melodic experience after the Chief Guest Shri Inderjeet S. Grover, Deputy Director, Education , NDMC, New Delhi and Guest of Honor Sh. Ajay Gupta Programme Executive, NZCC along with Mrs. Shobha Koser, Registrar, and Sh. Sajal Koser, Secretary of the Kendra lighted the traditional lamp.
Born in family of musicians , Venkatesh is an Indian Hindustani classical vocalist with vivacious classical singing style. He is also popular for his rendition of devotional songs composed by the Haridasa. Venkatesh Kumar learnt Hindustani vocal in the Gwalior and Kirana styles under Gawai. Kumar blends these styles effortlessly in his presentations, though he admits to influences beyond these gharanas, chief among them being Bade Ghulam Ali Khan of the Patiala gharana. He has featured in many National musical programs, and has been an “A” grade Artist of All India Radio since 1988 . Prof. Venkatesh Kumar is gifted with a mellifluous, voice rich in tradition and deep in devotion. His vast experience and deep-rooted commitment has made him a name to reckon with. He has performed at all major music festivals in India and abroad . He is also receiver of many prestigious awards.
Pt. Rajendra Prasanna hails from the renowned “Benaras Gharana” and is a master of flute & shehnai. He was groomed by his grand-father Pandit. Gauri Shankar and father Pandit Raghunath Prasanna, who was the first to introduce the flute in Prasanna family. He was also guided by his uncles Pt. Bholanath Prasanna and late Pt. Vishnu Prasanna. One can see the use of “Gayaki ang” in his renditions. Pandit Rajendra Prasanna was also fortunate to have received the blessings of Thumri Samrat Pt. Mahadev Prasad Mishra of Varanasi, Padmashree Ustad Hafeez Ahmed Khan and Ustad Sarfaraz Hussain Khan (both of Rampur Seheswan Gharana.)
Pt. Rajendra Prasanna is known for the unique blend of fluency and melody in his recitals. He is honored with many prestigious awards .He performed at many European and Asian . Pt. Rajendra Prasanna has been a “TOP” grade artist with the All India Radio. He took part in the Akashwani Sangeet Sammelan, National Program of Music on Television. He is presently working with the National School of Drama, New Delhi.
Supported by his talented sons and disciples Rajesh Parsanna & Rishab Prasanna , the maestros presented raga Puriya Kalyan to perfection delineating the raga character through alaap and gats. He played the gayaki ang on flute as he doled out a Vilambit gat in Ek tal and a fast paced composition in drut lya and teen tal. Prasanna trios concluded the recital with dhun in Mishra Pilu amidst thunderous applause . He was well accompanied by Chandigarh’s young and talented tabla player Avirbhav Verma on Tabla.
After this melodic performance Kumar opened up the recital with Maru VIhag bandish “Man mein raho mora jiyra” Then he moved on to present one bandish Rasik “Rasiya ho na jan re” . Hon’ble Chief Guest, Guest of Honor, Mrs. Shobha Koser and Sh. Sajal Koser honored the artists.