National Centre for the Performing Arts Set To Pay Tribute To Legendary Indian Composers With Bandish

Indian music is based around a well-structured melodic and rhythmic compositions known as Bandish. It represents a central idea or base upon which a performance is sculpted and created. Presenting this thought in a musical format, The National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai (NCPA) in association with HSBC is all set to present the 11th edition of this two-day festival on 12th and 13th March at Tata Theatre, 630pm. Eminent artistes like Ghulam Husnain Khan (Raja Miya), Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Gulzar and Ajoy Chakrabarty will showcase some of the most treasured works of the great composers.

Starting March 12, &lsquoBandish&rsquo will be preceded by an &lsquoNCPA-CITI Music Workshop&rsquo hosted by Ajoy Chakrabarty. The 60-minutes online workshop will focus on understanding the intricacies of exploring bandish and will take place on 12th March at 11.30am. This will be followed by a tribute performance by Ghulam Husnain Khan (Raja Miya) and Ashwini Bhide Deshpande at 6.30pm. Ghulam is set to present some notable khayal compositions of the two doyens of Agra gharana Vilayat Hussain Khan (Pran Piya) and Mehboob Khan (Daras Piya) while Ashwini with a style that reflects a harmonious blend of tonal quality and emotiveness, will present some compositions of select composers from the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana.

March 13 will see stalwarts like Gulzar who will recite Hindi translations of select works of two iconic Bangla poet-philosophers - Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976) and Lalon Fakir (1774-1890). Joining the latter will be the multidimensional vocalist, composer and guru - Ajoy Chakrabarty who will in his inimitable style, showcase some select compositions of Nazrul as well as Fakir in varied styles dhrupad, dhamar, khayal, thumri, ghazal, tappa, geet and baul.

Ghulam Husnain Khan (Raja Miya) had the privilege of being trained with his eminent uncle, Khadim Hussain Khan, and the doyen of Agra gharana, Yunus Hussain Khan. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande on the other hand was groomed in the Jaipur-Atrauli style by her mother, Manik Bhide, and by Ratnakar Pai.

Gulzar is a celebrated poet, writer, lyricist and film director whose works have also been influenced by Bangla poetry and literature. Ajoy Chakrabarty has had the privilege of training with several teachers including the legendary maestro Jnan Prakash Ghosh and Munawar Ali Khan, son and disciple of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.

The Information

Saturday, March 12, 2022, 6.30 pm Ghulam Husnain Khan (Raja Miya) and Ashwini Bhide Deshpande

Sunday, March 13, 2022, 6.30 pm Gulzar and Ajoy Chakrabarty