Students of Swar Sadhana Academy of Indian Music presented a concert at the Fickling Convention Centre in Auckland on June 29, 2013.
Trained by Academy Principal Sandhya Badakere, they entertained the audience with their challenging performances in Hindustani Classical music at different levels of development.
Vivek Anturkar and Arun Khotkar accompanied them respectively on Tabla and Harmonium throughout the evening’s performance. The two senior instrumentalists were in their elements, giving one of their best performances.
Violin master and teacher Professor Sukhdev Madhur was a Guest of Honour.
Group performances
The programme began with children in the 5-11 years age group, many of who were debutants. They not only demonstrated the budding talent in them but also enjoyed singing a number of songs. Throughout the evening, there were several group performances by second-year students singing ragas such as Kafi and Yeman, which added more variety to the show.
Solo numbers were a delight of the evening, rendered by students of Year Three and above. Among them were Siddhi Nigudkar, Mayuri Bhole, Ritika Shah, Ekta Kumar, Srishaa Iyer and Guncha Singh.
They rendered with ease and professionalism a number of ragas including Bhairavi, Bihaag, Bhimpalasi, Puriya Dhanashree Bhupali. Among other soloists were Kanika Diesh who sang well a Ghazal composed in thumri; and Kanik Mongia, whose rendition of ‘Ranjish Hi Sahi’ (a famous ghazal popularised by Mehdi Hassan) was of high standard.
Creative platform
The show gave the students and audience an idea of the melody and creativity of Indian classical music. It was encouraging to know that heritage is being kept alive in New Zealand. We hope that Swar Sadhana Academy of Indian Music will continue to inspire children and elders to learn and practice Hindustani music.
Our Staff Reporter adds:
Earlier, Master of Ceremonies Ravi Nyayapati said that the event provided an opportunity for New Zealanders in general and parents in particular to understand Hindustani music and assess the progress made by their children in learning.
“Such programmes give the students a platform to build confidence and obtain invaluable experience. Since its establishment in 2005, Swar Sadhana Academy of Music has been imparting knowledge in Hindustani Classical Music in the traditional Guru Parampara style, training in voice culture. The Academy also teaches students to render Ghazals and Bhajans,” he said.
Mr Nyayapati said that the School was affiliated to the Sur Jhankar Academy of Music based in Mumbai in 2008.
Photo : Student of Swar Sadhana Academy of Music in concert
