Soul-stirring music at this event

The much-awaited Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh was held recently in Varanasi. Being the centenary year, the music festival spanned across a week, much to the delight of the music aficionados, who stayed until late to soak in this ethereal experience. The event got an auspicious start with a shehnai recital by Bhaskar Nath. The subsequent evenings of the festival had some remarkable performances by artists who captivated the audience with their extraordinary talent. Ace drummer Sivamani created music from the most mundane things including a bucket leading to thunderous applause. Artist U Rajesh on mandolin, joined him to create some memorable moments for the audience. Prominent artist Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt on Mohan Veena presented some soul stirring raag based compositions. Some stalwart instrumentalists further took the event to a different level through their performances. Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia on flute presented soothing notes in Raag Maru Bihag, his instrumental presentation of the devotional number Om Jai Jagdish Hare had everyone humming along.

Noted vocalist Malini Awasthi regaled the audience with her rendition during the music festival. She sang a dadra Tohe Leiyke Sanwariya and chaiti Tore Mithi Boliya that was well-applauded. People joined in as she sang Pehni Gulabi Chunariya.

Another highlight of the event was a performance by noted singers Javed Ali and Sonu Nigam. Javed Ali based his performance on Raag Kirwani. He began with a ghazal Shola Tha and went on to sing the popular film song Yaad Na Jaaye. On special request he sang Kun Faya Kun that had the audience in a tizzy.

Despite a late night performance the audience waited for singer Sonu Nigam to come on the stage. The ace singer said, “Though I reached India early this morning I have specially come to be part of this festival. Main bahut dara hua hun kyonki bahut gunijan shrota hain yahan.” He sang Suratiya Matwali and a devotional number Ram Ke Gun Gaye Ja. The mood was electrifying as he sang the popular song Sandese Aate Hain. Kal Ho Na Ho was another song that had the audience swaying along.

Among those artists who performed during the festival included Pt Ulhas Kashalkar, Pt Ajay Pohankar, Ustad Rashid Khan, Niladri Kumar, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, Dr L Subramaniam, Pt Sajan Mishra, to name a few.