New Delhi: Tabla Maestro Pandit Chatur Lal Memorial Society andHindustan Zinc Limited as a CSR initiative organized the 20th edition of Smritiyaan #UdaipurChapteron 20th February 2021 on their official social media accounts. The annual concert series wrapped the evening with a unique blend of Carnatic and Hindustani Music.
The concert series commenced with a soul-stirring performance by the winner of ‘Pratibha’ – Online talent hunt of Indian classical folk music & dance Kaustubh Manipushp Kunj from Ajmer. The 15-year-old boy won the hearts of the judges during the talent hunt selection rounds and was chosen as a winner among the 5 districts of Rajasthan. As a part of the winning prize, Kaustubh got a chance to perform at the 20th edition of Smritiyaan #UdaipurChapter and was conferred with Pandit Chatur Lal Yuva Puruskar.
The jury of Pratibha Talent Hunt witnessed the legends, Bhajan Samraat Padma Shri Anup Jalota, Kathak Guru Padma Shri Shovana Narayan, Tabla Maestro Pandit CharanjitChaturLal& celebrated Indian flautist Pandit Ronu Mazumdar.
Talking about the online talent hunt, Bhajan Samraat Padma Shri Anup Jalota said, “The entries received from across the 5 districts are appreciable. It was a difficult task to choose a winner as each one of them were good in their own talent. These talents have a long way to go and I wish them good luck.” Adding to Bhajan Samraat, Shovana Narayan added, we were contemplating until last as we were confused between Kastubh & the amazing sarangi & tabla duo Tabriz & Ariz. The young talents were so good that we could not stop praising them. Amongst all, Kaustubh touched my heart with his singing. I wish him and all the other participants the best for future endeavours.”
The evening continued with music maestros of India Dr Mysore Manjunath, Pt. Gaurav Mazumdar, Vidwan B. C. Manjunath and Pranshu Chatur Lal presentingthe much-awaited Jugalbandi of Carnatic and Hindustani Ragas. The moments of soulful elegant fusion of North and South music were made complete with the Violin, the Sitar, the Mridangam and the Tabla.
The Grammy-nominated and Sitar genius Pt. Gaurav Mazumdar shared his excitement of performing at concert series by Pandit Chatur Lal Festival, ‘It is always a pleasure and honour to perform at concerts organized by Pandit Chatur Lal Memorial Society. This bestows upon us a moment to share a close bond of several decades and seek the blessings of the legendary Tabla player Pandit Chatur Lal Ji. This Jugalbandi is very special to me as we bring together both the genres of North and South Indian Music and create a new language and understanding, both for the musicians and the listeners.”
Adding to this violin maestro Dr Mysore Manjunath said, “I am completely touched to see the passion and dedication the Chatur Lal Family endows for Pandit Chatur Lal. Their contribution to promoting Indian culture globally even in the peak pandemic has been commendable. This concert has been also very inspiring looking closely at the journey of Pandit Chatur Lal Ji on our visit to his museum ‘Taa-Dhaa’. This jugalbandi from us is a musical homage to his unparalleled contribution both in north and south genres of music.
Vidwan B. C. Manjunath, the brilliantMridangam artiste, said, “Jugalbandis are always an enriching experience. It gives us the opportunity and a platform where people from different backgrounds come together to make a single piece of music. Hence it’s very colourful and diverse.”
Pranshu Chatur Lal, the young tabla maestro popularly known as Prince of Tabla and grandson of Pandit Chatur Lal, said “Every artist has their own language and thought process towards their music and when it comes to an amalgamation, it beautifully brings forward artistry of all musicians as one platter. I believe, merging and experimenting with music is an experience of souls fusing through their exquisite music.”
Marking 30 glorious years, Pandit Chatur Lal Festival organized the Smritiyan edition in association with Hindustan Zinc Limited as their CSR Initiative. The concert series is co-sponsored by Rajasthan State Mines & Minerals Limited and supported by Hospitality partner Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, in collaboration with ICCR and IndianRaga as a digital partner.
The Artistic Director of Pandit Chatur Lal Festival and granddaughter of Pandit Chatur Lal who has also curated & conceptualised the series shared, “Smritiyaan concert is an established brand in the world of music, showcasing talent on a mammoth scale for the last 20 years in Udaipur. It has been patronized by almost all the doyens and celebrated artists of India and abroad. Smritiyaan concert is dedicated to the Ratna of Udaipur, Oscar-Nominated & BAFTA Award Winner Tabla Stalwart Pandit Chatur Lal. He was the first Indian percussionist to popularize and give Indian classical music global acceptance and acclaim in the West, in the mid-50s, through innumerable concerts. He deservedly won the encomium of being the pioneer of training the Western ear to appreciate the subtleties and fine nuances of Indian Classical music especially ‘tabla’ along with Pandit Ravi Shankar & Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.” Expressing her gratitude to the sponsor, she added, “I would like to extend a token of gratitude to Hindustan Zinc Limited and Vedanta parivaar for supporting Smritiyaan for almost 17 years now and making its grandeur music festival of Rajasthan Patronizing almost all the doyens and celebrated artists of India and abroad. Pandit Chatur Lal Festival is so glad that this beautiful initiative ‘Pratibha’ has been introduced to Smritiyaan as a new wing unearthing the unknown talents from the rural communities and providing a fair chance to perform and get recognised globally.”
