Steeped in tradition

Vocalist Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar will perform a concert of morning ragas this Sunday

August 18, 2017 07:59 pm | Updated 07:59 pm IST

Ever since it was launched early last year, the morning raga series Udayswar@Prithvi has become fairly popular among Mumbai's classical music aficionados. Organised once a month by Pancham Nishad, its highlight is that the performers don’t use any amplification.

This Sunday’s programme will feature prominent vocalist Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, who is looking forward to the experience. She says, “I have performed at Prithvi 20 years ago. But these days, there are fewer chances to sing without amplification.” Tikekar points out that when she does riyaz or teaches, she doesn't use microphones. “It’s the most natural way of expressing yourself and connecting with the listeners,” she adds.

Born in Bijapur in Karnataka, the singer grew up in Mumbai but has settled in Pune. Her parents loved music, and she was singing songs from the age of five. “My father was very particular I complete my riyaz before dinner was served.”

Besides classical music, she has sung in Hindi films like Shyam Benegal’s Sardari Begum , and has won two National Awards for her songs in the Marathi movie Samhita and the Konkani film Antarnaad .

Essentially, her style is a blend of the Gwalior, Agra and Jaipur-Atrauli gharanas. She initially learnt from Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni, and then from doyenne Kishori Amonkar. Later, she learnt from Pandit Dinkar Kaikini. “They all played different roles,” explains Tikekar. “Kulkarni-ji was more of a teacher than performer, so he grounded me in the ragas. From Kishori-tai I developed my voice culture, and she was a master of that. With Dinkar-ji, I changed my voice application,” she shares.

The vocalist never missed an opportunity to expand her musical training. When she visited Dharwad, Karnataka, where her mother hails from, she would visit greats like Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, Gangubai Hangal and Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru to take some tips. As a teacher, she tries to follow the way she leant. She says, “I use the Gurukul system. I have over 20 students and six actually stay at my place. Yet, I try and recognise the individual ability of each student, and train them according to their voice structure.”

As she also sings ghazals, thumris and film songs, how does she balance the genres? Tikekar’s response is quick, “I choose songs which are steeped in tradition. So basically I am singing compositions in particular ragas.”

Describing her Sardari Begum experience, where she has sung most songs including ‘ Huzoor Itna Agar Hum Par ’ and ‘ Chali Pee Ke Nagar ’, Tikekar recalls sitting together with director Shyam Benegal, music director Vanraj Bhatia, his assistant Ashok Patki and lyricist Javed Akhtar. “Often we would finish a song in four hours,” she says.

Concert of morning ragas by Arati Ankalikar Tikekar will take place at 7.30 a.m at Prithvi Theatre on Sunday, August 20 .

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