RENOWNED artists Guru Sanchita Bhattacharya (Odissi) and Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya (Santoor) along with Amarjeet Singh (Tabla) paid a mesmerizing tribute to Tabla Guru Thakur Kishan Singh at “Rhythmic Remembrance 2023” – Naad Festival of Classical Music and Dance at Surrey Arts Centre on February 25.
Among those who attended were Education Minister Rachna Singh, MLA Jinny Sims, Delta School district trustee Nimmi Daula and Indian Consul General Manish.
The evening began with a beautiful rendering of ‘Guru Strotam’ rendered by Bhargavi Singh. Accompanying Bhargavi Singh on the flute was Dr. Bruce Harding, a well-known flautist of the lower mainland. The flawless performance paying respect to all the Gurus set the mood for the evening.
This was followed by an equally impressive Tabla Ensemble performance by the students of Naad Arts Centre, Akaaljot Singh, Jaskirat Singh, and Sahib Singh. They were accompanied by Ustad Kulwant Singh on Dilruba.
Next performances were by Guru Sanchita Bhattacharya and Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya.
Sanchita Bhtaatcharya is an Indian award-winning performer specializing in the Odissi dance form and has performed all over the world. Her abhinaya performance of a classical piece from the Mahabharata depicting Draupadi’s anguish during her disrobing by Kaurava dushasana left the audience spellbound. Sanchita Bhattacharya also performed a beautiful piece on Hindu Goddess Durga depicting the power of Shakti which was also very well received by the audience.
This was followed by a power packed performance by Pt Tarun Bhattacharya on Santoor accompanied by Amarjeet Singh on Tabla. Recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy award, Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya is a renowned Santoor player who is credited for having invented the ‘mankas’ – unique tuners which help in fine tuning the Santoor, to broaden its scope.
Pt. Bhattacharya’s skills with Santoor, the hundred stringed instrument was quite visible as he rendered soulful ragas for the audience. Keeping pace with Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya was Amarjeet Singh on the tabla and the duo created magic through their jugalbandi.
The last act of the evening was the quartet with Pt Tarun Bhattacharya on Santoor, Amarjeet Singh on Tabla, Bruce Harding on the Flute and Odissi performance by Guru Sanchita Bhattacharya.
Naad Arts Academy also established the Naad Yogi awards for the first time this year. The awards will be given each year to individuals and organizations who have been teaching, performing, organizing and working in the field of Music and Dance for more than 25 years. Naad Yogi awards 2023 were given to Sudnya Mulye (Sudnya Dance Academy), Ustad Amrik Singh Phull – Ustad Gurdev Singh Phull (Amar Music Academy) and Oscar Nieto- Kasandra Lea (Mozaico Flamenco Dance Academy)
Naad Arts Centre organizes the Naad Festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance each year in the memory of Tabla Guru Thakur Kishan Singh.
“Hindustani Classical music and arts is food for the soul. My attempt with Naad Arts Centre is to bring awareness of Hindustani Classical music and arts forms and its richness to our large South Asian population in Canada,” said Amarjeet Singh Artistic Director of Naad Arts Centre.
(Contributed)
