Mudgal adds many hues of classical music to ‘Hori-Basant’

Nagpur: A gloomy and wet Sunday evening could not dampen the spirit of city’s music connoisseurs as they gathered at Chitnavis Centre to hear Shubha Mudgal, the high priestess of Hindustani classical music. She was performing at the event Hori-Basant organized by Chitnavis Centre.
Beginning her renditions with an elaborate expansion of Raag Bihag, Mudgal presented the bandish ‘Aaj Ko Din’ in vilambit and graduated to ‘Khelo Nandlal Sang Braj Holi’ in drut.Unfolding the raga with alaaps and taans rendered in a style unique to her, she exhibited her mastery over the craft with amazing skill. Next were two bandish in Jhap Taal and Tritaal, ‘Rang Udat Hai Chau Aur’ and ‘Rang Daro Na Daro Na’.
Best known for her thumri and dadra gayki, she moved on to semi classical with a traditional Holi, ‘Tu Kaun Kahan Ki Gauri’ presented in the folksy question answer style. This was followed with another, ‘Holi Khelen Hai Kanhiyaa.’
This was Mudgal’s third performance in the city, the second one being held just a fortnight back when she was here to perform at the Pt CR Vyas memorial music festival. “Nagpur is an important city for performers of Hindustani classical music,” Mudgal told TOI on the sides of the programme during a short interval. “The audience here is extremely generous and academic when it comes to appreciating and understanding the nuance of classical music.”
Better known for her Indipop numbers, Mudgal said that there is no confusion in the mind of the audience who come to hear her sing. “The organizers and myself make it very clear about the genre to be presented. There is clarity in communication and I select my repertoire within the theme,” she said. Her first visit to the city was for an Indipop programme, said Mudgal and added, “Both genres have a discerning and dedicated audience and the response that I get is in accordance.”
Mudgal resumed the recital after a short break with a bandish in Raag Bahaar in Madhya Lay, ‘Ab Rut Aayi Hai Bahar’ and rendered a couple of more Holis, the traditional songs sung during this season, ‘Kaun Tarah Tum Khelat Holi’ and ‘Chale Aiyo Ho Shyam’.