Thumri exponent has her audience in raptures

SD Sharma

Chandigarh, October 12

Maintaining equal proficiency in the rendition of pure classical vocal and lighter genre of ‘thumri’, New Delhi-based maestro Padmaja Chakraborty held the audience in raptures at the 227th ‘Baithak’ programme organised by the Pracheen Kala Kendra at its auditorium here today.

An A grade artiste of AIR and also Doordarshan and a gold medalist in music from Rabindra Bharti University, Padmaja was groomed by Pandit Samaresh Chawdhury.

Endowed with a resonant and soulful voice, Padmaja began her recital with the exposition of ‘raga Bhopali’ through a brief alaap followed by a ‘bandish’, ‘Hey Prabhhu Suno Data’, in slow-paced Vilambat lya with phrases of alaap in progression (badhat). Another devotional composition, ‘Mahadev Deva Maheshwaraye’ in teen tal.

She displayed her adroit mastery in doling out a crisp thumri, ‘Piya bina mori katat na kari raina’, set to raga ‘Mishra Kafi Pilu’ laced with rhythmic variations. Padmaja provided a befitting finale to her recital with a bhajan in Bhairavi ‘Hari tum kahe preet lagayi’.

She was supported on tabla by Mehmood Khan and Rakesh Sharma on harmonium. Kendra registrar Dr Shobha Koser and secretary Sajal Koser honoured the artistes.

While talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Padmaja, who is imparting classical training, said there was a substantial rise in ‘short-term takers’ of this music apparently to prepare themselves for reality show contests. Classical music should be introduced as a compulsory subject in schools to catch talented young prodigies and groom them, she said.