Concert at YK Antiques Home Museum | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Earlier this month, the YK Antiques Home Museum in Hyderabad transformed into a harmonious setting for a classical music concert.music meetingThe 850 antique pieces of brass, copper, bronze and stone spread throughout the house echoed when singer Sarang Phagre, Vivek Kayal on tabla and Upkar Godbole on harmonium performed in front of about 30 people gathered there. Sitting in his home-cum-museum, octogenarian YK Murthy remembers these things meeting: “It was a mesmerizing experience for a small group of parents with children, music lovers and artist-friends. we know kings and landlords Can bear the cost of hosting such sessions. That day, I felt like royalty. The concert was conceptualized and curated by city-based visual artist Shruti Mahajan, as she saw it. meetings Events were organized regularly by his father and grandfather in Bhopal.
new path
Vocal performance by Amit Nesarikar; Vivek Kayal on tabla and Rahul Deshpande on harmonium. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
This is the first case of its kind meeting/Intimate concerts at the Domestic Museum open a new window for classical music artists and audiences. Singer Kirti will take center stage in the second part of the museum. meeting In March 2025.
Performers enjoy performing in such personalized, informal spaces because they connect better with a smaller group because they can see and interact with everyone beyond the front row! These meetings or musical feasts for music, poetry and mushairas have been an important part of the tradition of Hindustani classical music performances.
engage the tastemakers
Carnatic music has also experimented with this format by organizing and participating in concerts. Rasik InApartment complexes, sometimes in basements, K Srinivasa Rao of Hope Advertising Pvt Ltd had conducted seven ‘Arunoday’ sessions for himself and his friends. as the singers sit checkpoints (Bajot stool/table), mic and camera are arranged and the audience sits on mats spread on the floor.
Singers Jonnalagadda Satya Sriram, TK Sisters and Pratima Sashidhar and their disciples and their accompanists including A Kamakshi (violin), P Jaya Bhaskar (Mridangam), M. Chandrakant (Ghatam), V.S.P.G. Sivani (violin), Choudhary. Ramakrishna (Mridangam) and M Chandrakant (Ghatam) have performed in these two-hour concerts starting at 8 am, followed by breakfast. With the experience of organizing virtual concerts during the Covid-induced lockdown, Srinivas Rao says, “I am passionate about Carnatic music. The sound fills the place with positive energy and vibrations.”
revival of a trend
Jonnalagadda Satya Sriram’s concert. Accompanying artists include A Kamakshi (violin), P Jaya Bhaskar (Mridangam), M. Chandrakant (Ghatam). Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Auditoriums, heritage buildings, temples and stepwells have been major venues for musical concerts in Hyderabad. As such meetings A symbol of a new beginning in the city’s cultural landscape? ,meetings Events have been held in the city before; Now we are seeing a revival of that tradition,” says Vivek Kayal, a tabla player and Bayer Pharmaceuticals employee. Vivek is one of the administrators of the Artists’ Group Hyderabad Meeting knowing source (An informed listener).
Visitors at YK Home Museum Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Vivek explains that the idea is to enjoy the music without any distractions and also respect the artistes and their performances. Founded in 2015 – inspired by the 50-year-old city-based group Guruvar Mandal – the Hyderabad meet has witnessed nearly 50 such sessions, including 15 in 2024. meeting The artist, his master and his surroundings Riyaz Sample. Gets to know about the artists in depth.”
In such home-based concerts, are there any distractions, noisy children or light conversation, or any discomfort to the artist? No, says Shruti. “The singer can adapt well to the venue and the audience is really attentive. In fact, these informal music sessions help in establishing a culture of listening among children. It’s also part of building a culture where kids learn to conduct themselves during concerts.”
various places
Music festival organized by Tatva Arts. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The city-based Tattva Arts Hitech City is famous for organizing concerts at unusual venues including parks, farmhouses and housing societies in Narsingi and Nallagandla. ,Musicians love the praise they receive at meetings. (Musicians treasure the applause they get meeting), “says Akhilesh Washikar, managing director, Tatva Arts. since their first meeting In 2021, with sitar player Mehtab Ali Niazi at a farmhouse in Moinabad, the organization has organized about 25 meetings to date.
Unlike sound systems that aim for perfect acoustics for live concerts in auditoriums, these intimate sessions are easily arranged with basic mics and a small speaker set, to ensure that the sound does not disturb the neighborhood. Do.
A in the audience meeting He is scholarly and passionate about music, says Gajendra Shawalkar, tabla player and co-founder of Tattva. “Playing with a handful of people who listen attentively creates a unique experience that should be celebrated.”
Anyone interested in organizing meetings can contact Tatva Arts (86393 92699) and Hope Advertising (98480 40980).
published – December 24, 2024 07:33 PM IST
