Musical evening with local stars

It is a matter of gratification that an increasing number of youngsters from the Indian community are evincing interest in Indian classical music, learning and teaching vocal music and a number of musical instruments.

It is also gratifying to witness an increasing number of avenues to explore and expose such talents throughout New Zealand.

One such event that will make everyone proud would be an evening of Classical Music at the Fickling Convention Centre in Three Kings in Auckland’s Mt Roskill on Saturday, July 13, 2013.

Organised by the Sargam School of Indian Music, the programme, scheduled to commence at 6 pm, will feature Professor Sukhdev Madhur (Violin), Avirbhav Verma, Master Akhilesh Madhur and Basant Madhur (Tabla) and Pankaj Arora (Harmonium).

Basant said that ‘Tabla Trigulbandi’ will be among the highlights of the programme.

“It would be a ‘real concert’ of combination, coordination and creative melody with a spirit of challenge. I am sure that each of us will rise to it,” he said.

The artistes

Professor Shukdev Madhur is a star violinist, also proficient in the Hindustani style of music and Harmonium. His passion for the art has made him a quality teacher, encouraging a growing number of youngsters to learn violin under his able guidance.

A recipient of several honours, including the National Award (presented by the Indian President) in 1993 for his contributions to music, he worked as a National Conductor and Trainer for the National Council for Educational Research & Training and as Member of the Audition Board of All India Radio Shimla.

Basant Madhur is a seasoned Tabla player and teacher, with wide repertoire and performances with several visiting international artistes, including Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Pandit Ronu Majumdar, Kadri Gopalnath and Patri Satish Kumar.

While his elder brother Deepak initiated him into the art, he has had the honour of learning to play the Tabla from the late Pawan Kumar Verma (father of Avirbhav) of Punjab Gahrana.

Avirbhav Verma, whose name is beginning to make waves in the New Zealand music circles, is a student at the Unitec Institute of Technology, although he has been a performing artiste since he was four years old. He comes from a family of renowned musicians (see separate story in this Section).

“Thirteen-year-old Akhilesh Madhur is a student of his father Deepak Madhur, with a deep-rotted devotion towards music. He has fascinated audiences with his Tabla skills. His sterling performance with Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt in Auckland on March 16 (Indian Newslink, April 1) prompted the master to invite him to perform at ‘Saptak,’ one of the biggest classical music festivals in India,” Basant said.

Pankaj Arora, who migrated to New Zealand recently, hails from a family of music enthusiasts. A disciple of Baldev Narang, he has been trained by world-renowned maestros like Hans Raj Hans.

Photo :

1. Professor Shukdev Madhur

2. Basant Madhur

3. Avirbhav Verma

4. Akhilesh Madhur

5. Pankaj Arora