All India Radio Visakhapatnam as part of its Sangeetha Sammelan conducted a couple of impressive music concerts in Visakhapatnam. While S. Sundar presented a veena concert in Carnatic style, Ustad Iqbal Ahamed Khan ladled out a vocal concert in the Hindusthani idiom.
Ably accompanied by K.R. Ganesh on mridangam and Vaikum Goplakrishna on ghatam, Sundar commenced with Pranamamyaham in raga Goula. Prefixed with a brief ragaalapana, he strummed raga Anandabhairavi and proceeded to Brovabharama of Thyagaraja in raga Bahudari. He took up raga Pantuvarali for Ennaganu of Ramadasu and presented it at a leisurely pace. He capped the concert with a Tulasidas bhajan.
Later, Ustad Ahamed Khan’s Hindustani vocal concert captivated the audience. His explorative forays into the well of the chosen ragas unfolded their varied dimensions of melodic grace and cadence. Laden with subtle gamakas and detailed improvisation his presentation was classy in his distinct way reflecting his enviable command over the intricate aspects of Hindusthani idiom. His aayee madhuban sundar naari captured the exquisite beauty of a belle in the pleasant frames of the musical spectrum of rag Ragesri, set to jap tal. In a way his concert was filled with charms and serenity of a majestic presentation. His soft negotiation of intricate phrases with a fluid ease heightened its musical appeal, thus reflecting his artistic acumen. He commenced it with rag Lankeswari in vilambit ek tal that set the tone for the rest. Raga Pilu was another piece that cascaded in all its richness.
Anees Ahamed Khan’s vocal support, Rasheed Jaffer on table, Munni Khan on sarangi and Kulkarni on harmonium lent creditable support.
