On the tastefully lit and cosy Sage two-performance stage, I had the privilege of witnessing Ustad Dharambir Singh (a sitar maestro), his son Kaviraj Singh (a wizard with the santoor) and Pandit Sanju Sahai (a master of tabla) for a two-hour performance that left me speechless. From the beginning, a feeling of intimacy and familiarity prevailed, whether from the host or the famous trio, who seemed perfectly at home on the stage and with each other.
The show was performed in a khayal style, meaning there were various on-the-spot variations of famous ragas that were performed. This was the Indian classical version of a jam session between seasoned artists who truly understand the nuances of their craft. The event started with raag Bhageshwari, which is performed to honour the goddess of Indian classical music. Ustad Dharambir kept a steady and humorous commentary between sets, explaining to the audience what each piece signified, as well as the technical elements like the beats, which was a helpful addition to novices like myself.
The romantic and serene raga Gawati was also performed in honour of Ustad Dharambir’s guru, Ustad Vilayat Khan. After the audience fell in love with the melodious strains of raga Gawati, the Ustad introduced a new medley of his own, combining the beauty of yearning from raga Shivranjani and the feeling of hope and divine connection portrayed by raga Assa, a prominent devotional composition in Sikh culture. Raga Aasranjani talked about never-ending hope and the beauty of waiting for it. But not a single word was spoken for the tunes were like poetry themselves.
Pandit Sanju Sahai didn’t need any cues for new improvisations, as the maestro played his tabla with genuine finesse, elevating these melodies by adding a joyful earthiness. Pandit Ji and Ustad Ji had impeccable stage chemistry, and they reminded me of seasoned rock stars. The crowd was spellbound, with each set being delicate as well as intricate. The performance ended with a rendition of raga Pilu and a Bengali folk melody known as Bhatiyali. It was followed by hoots, loud whistles, and a well-deserved standing ovation. The entire display flowed perfectly, much like how dew drops join a stream, to end in a brilliant crescendo, much like a stream becoming one with a river. The entire set transported me back home to India and immersed me in tranquillity. If you ever have the chance to hear these rock stars in person, I’d suggest you take it because it’s an unmissable opportunity to experience music in its purest form.
