Sitar Recital

Thanks to SPIC MACAY@KU. (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth) Lawrence residents were fortunate to enjoy a Sitar Concert by Pandit Nayan Ghosh. This concert took place on April 23rd in Woodruff Auditorium of University of Kansas.

 Pandit Nayan Ghosh was welcome in traditional Indian way by presenting a coconut.

 Mr. Amitabh Chaudury being welcomed.

 Pandit Nayan Ghosh introducing Indian Music and traditions.

 Pandit Nayan Ghosh explained the instrument Sitar briefly.

 He explained the agenda for the day's performance. Here he introduced about concepts of Ragas to the audience of 200+ .

 Tuning the Sitar before the performance.

  Mr. Amitabh Chaudury on Tabla. Amitabh is tuning the tabla to match the pitch of Sitar. This is required for the harmony between two musical instruments.

 And most awaited the performance begins with Raag Puriya Kalyan.

 Panditji enjoying the response from audience and also from Amitabh.

First piece was Alap, Alap is the beginning of North Indian Hindustani Classical concert, which is solo. 

 The whole ambiance was really pleasing.

 Enjoying the music himself.

 Spontaneous response from audience, followed by pleasing eye contact by Panditji.

 Immersed in the divine waves of radiating music.

Pandit Nayan Ghosh engrossed in his performance and audience was floating on the power of music.

 The duet with Tabla adds flavor to the performance.

 Singing while playing the Sitar.

 He also sang a folk song of West Bengal state of India.

 Concluding remarks after the celestial celebration of Sitar music.

 Audiance interaction with the artists. Main feature of SPIC-MACAY programs.

After the concert, both the artists.Though they were meeting for the first time, their synchronization in music was amazing. It was unbelievable that both the artist met each other for the first time.


Some of his music CDs are available through Amazon web-store.
 

Odissi Dance

Thanks to SPIC MACAY@KU (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth) citizens of Lawrence got to witness a Classical Indian Dance Performance by one of India's top most Odissi dancers - Rahul Acharya accompanied by Donia. Rahul is  not only an exquisitely elegant and talented dancer but also a Master yogi, a Sanskrit scholar and a bio-chemist.

 The stage at Woodruff Auditorium had a backdrop of a dance posture.

 

Rahul gave an introduction to Odissi dance form.

 Donia Dhanya Salem gave the first performance

Mangalacharan An invocational piece.

Mangalacharan includes Bhumi-Pranam, begging forgiveness of mother earth for stamping on her and Trikhandi Pranam or three fold salutation - above hear for God, in front of face for Gurus and in front of chest for the audience.

Second performance was by Rahul Acharya. 

It was Stahi, It belongs to the pure dance or Druta category of Indian Classical Dance.

Second performance by Donia was Pallavi.

Pallavi is a pure dance item in which a raga is elaborated through eye movements, body postures and intricate footwork.

This Pallavi was based on raga Arabhi so it can be referred as Arabhi-Pallavi.

Rahul again performed another Pallavi.

This was again a Pallavi in Raga Chakrawaka and experimental piece with question answer session between vocalist and the dancer.

 Abhinaya an expressionless dance where a story conveyed to audience through mudra or hand gestures.

This Abinaya was from famous Geetagovindam.

Final performance was Shivastaka by Adi Shankarachrya.

 Some really difficult postures were part of the performance

 After the performance.

 Dr. Geeta Tiwari appreciating the dancers and thanking them for wonderful performance.

After the performance there was informal discussion with interested students.

His website