A cohesive melody comprising of mutually embracing musical notes reverberated all through the fusion music concert organised by Pracheen Kala Kendra at the Law Bhavan auditorium here in Chandigarh.
It was indeed a rare confluence of Indian and German musicians where East met West with satvik veena maestro Salil Bhatt and German guitarist Matthias Muller enchanting audience.
Artistes in a scintillating jugalbandi mainly presented compositions from their latest album titled “Mumbai to Munich”, which they have dedicated to victims of the Mumbai blasts.
The duo opened the soiree delineating serene character of raga “Basant mukhari” interspersed with influences of Carnatic classical style. A tranquil environment pervaded as the accomplished musicians made their stringed instruments to exude contemplation in the next offering veritably titled “Peace”.
The duo performed “Ahimsa”, a master piece composed by Mutthias Muller and dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Another composition “Jhinjhoti” brought alive the love and romance. “Kirwani hichki”, a popular Rajasthani folk melody based on raga kirwani, played to perfection by Salil and Matthias showing their perfect matching of imagination. Salil apparently taking the lead on his satvik veena, Matthias Muller’s notes on the Spanish guitar merged so well, one couldn’t really shift them apart. The concluding presentation was “Jog Blues”, based on raga jog, a very intense, serious and meditative melody.
Articulating the melody metre on tabla, the Benaras gharana maestro Pandit Ram Kumar Mishra won tremendous applause and emerged as the real hero of the concert. The fusion concert was a perfect blend of classical folk with western music flavours.
Earlier kendra registrar Shobha Koser welcomed the chief guest SK Monga, an IAS, who lighted the inaugural lamp and honoured the artistes.