Azamgarh's Tridhara: A triology of music that teaches of peaceful coexistence

LUCKNOW: It was a rare sight to the eyes and a unique experience for the ears that appeared before the audience here on Saturday during the ongoing Azamgarh Mahotsava. The magic, called Tridhara, was put forth by instrumentalists from Hariharpur - the village in Azamgarh, inhabited by musicians who have kept tradition of Indian classical music alive for more than 700 years now.“Tridhara is a philosophy of three different trios coming together in the harmonious blend of a raaga,” said Pandit Bholanath Mishra, a vocalist.
The unique triplebandi (read jugalbandi) takes over the mind effortlessly and releases a positive and soothing effect that is filled with positive energy. Tabla artist Vishanath Mishra attributed the triology to Hindu holy trinity. “life became possible only when Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh came together. Tridhara exemplifies the mutual tolerance and brotherhood to make peaceful existence possible,” he explained. Another artist explained that music scales its ultimate when it achieves the state of sangam which is possible only with Tridhara as in case of Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati.

The tradition is believed to be several centuries old and was started by one of the descendents of Harinam Das and his brothers who founded Hariharpur. Legends say that Harinam and his brothers paid a visit to the darbar of Raja Aazam Shah, the king of azamgarh and presented a recital. Amused by the talented singers, the king gave away 989 bighas of land to them and asked them to impart training of music here. The 41 successor families in this village have kept the tradition of vocal and instrumental music alive.
“Like most, we didn't believe the guide who challenged us to pick up anyone randomly and ask to sing. And to the surprise of all, he was right,” recalled SK Mishra, founder of Indian Trust for Rural heritage and Development which has organised the Azamgarh Mahotsava in association with UP Tourism department. Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav who paid a visit to the festival also recalled his visit to the village while canvassing for his party before 2012 Vidhan Sabha elections. “I had seen a news report about this village and stopped during the election campaign to get a feel of it,” he told reporters.
More than 30 artists of different ages are also presenting classical and semi-classical forms of music in the festival but they admitted the declining interest in the subsequent generations. “Poverty and the quest for survival has been a dampener,” said Yogendra Narain from ITRHD. Even the buzz of music reality shows have failed to bring in a sparkle of hope in the eyes of music-lovers from Hariharpur. “There are no takers of classical music and reality shows are for ratings not to promote talent,” said 17 year old Arpit Mishra, a budding vocalist.