Hindustani music concert due in Auckland

Lovers of Hindustani music can expect an evening of melody as one of the most popular vocalists performs in Auckland next month.

Sangeeta Katti Kulkarni, regarded as a ‘Star among the younger generation of musicians,’ will perform at the Western Springs Garden Community Hall (956 Great North Road, Western Springs) on October 23.

AR Entertainments (ARE) NZ Limited is organising the programme with the theme, A journey of Indian Classical Ragas through Indian Cinema in association with Sargam School of Music.

A part of the proceeds of the show will be donated to Child Fund New Zealand, one of the foremost organisations dedicated to lifting the plight of unfortunate children worldwide.

ARE Director Ashish Ramakrishnan said the forthcoming concert would be “a perfect amalgamation of Hindustani and Hindi film music.”

“It would be unique in many respects,” he said.

Encouraged and initially taught by her father, Ms Kulkarni came under the tutelage of famous Hindi film music director Naushad Ali when she was four years old.

Among the stalwarts who recognised her talent and trained her to achieve higher proficiency in music were Seshagiri Dandapur, Pandit Chandrashekhar Puranikmath (who died on July 24, 2010) and Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru (of Kirana and Gwalior Gharanas).

She is currently under the supervision of Kishori Amonkar of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana.

Her proficiency extends to Bhajans, Vachanas (a form of writing in Kannada), Dasavani, Abhangs (Devotional poetry in Marathi) and Bhavgeet (Marathi), in addition to playback singing in films.

Mr Ramakrishnan said the artiste has more than 2500 concerts to her credit in several parts of the world since she launched her singing career.

“Ms Kulkarni is among the chosen few to perform with the American Symphony Orchestra. She is a recipient of a number of awards and citations and has several CDs and albums on sale throughout the world,” he said.

He said it was a privilege to organise a concert in aid of ChildFund New Zealand.

“The Foundation works to make the world a safer, healthier and happier place for poor children. Its policy is to extend help wherever needed, transcending manmade barriers of religion, ethnicity and nationality,” he said.

Among the projects of the Foundation are health and nutrition services, bringing drinking water nearer homes, prevention of infectious diseases, education and tending to the wellbeing of children in need.

Photo : Sangeeta Katti Kulkarni