The three-day 46th Annual Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan brought in different flavours and fragrances of Indian classical music

A balmy Sunday morning, verdant trees and a welcoming waterfall paved the way to the quiet Strawberry Fields High School-26. The languid air was gently broken by the mellifluous voice of Chetna Pathak, singing Soch Samajh Man Mere in Raag Basant Mukhari... It was a true treat for discerning music lovers from the tricity!

On Day 3 of the 46th Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan, Chetna was accompanied by Paromita Mukherjee on the harmonium, Vinod Lele on table, and Pooja Chauhan and Nishu Sharma on tanpura. She continued to impress the audience with Giridhar Shyam Harat Chitvan in Raag Gujari Todi, followed by a short composition Sawariya Ab To Aaja. A very beautiful thumri in Raag Kankangi Jamuna Kinare Mora Gaon in Raag Majh Khamaj next, she concluded her performance with a soulful bhajan in Raag Bhairavi, Jagat Janani Bhavtarini.

Student of the famous Indian classical vocalist Prabha Atre, Chetna is the torchbearer of Kirana Gharana. All the compositions she sang on Sunday were from her guru. Initiated into music at a tender age by her musicians parents, Madana and Ramnarayan, Chetna, she learnt from Padma Vibhushan recipient Prabha Atre for 25 years. Chetna values both classical and popular music. Not for marriage of the two, she said, “Classical music and film music are two different genres, fulfilling two different purposes; one for classes, another for masses and this distinction must stay.” Paromita Mukherjee, who has accompanied both Chetna and her guru, added, “It’s so heartening to see Prabha Atre’s incredible singing style continue in her disciple Chetna Pathak.”

Not threatened by popular music winning most youngsters, she said, “The numbers sure don’t favour classical music when it comes to youngsters, but those who take it up are doing exceptionally well. Westerners are doing it even more sincerely.”

Teaching music at Mumbai University, she admitted that times were pretty different from when she learnt. “In a college or university curriculum, there is a lot to fit in a year. In guru-shishya parampara a raag goes on for years.” Happy that her university lets her take the middle path, she said, “We have very small groups. A teacher for five students, which helps one give personal attention.”

Accompanying her on Chandigarh trip was her husband, Santosh Pathak. He teaches music at Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan, where Chetna taught previously. This couple, much in love with music, truly believes in passing on their learning to students!

Meanwhile, on Day 1 on the 46th Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan on Friday, young artistes Rutuja Lad and Atul Khandekar captivated the audience with their performances. “Though young artistes, both had a thahrav in their performances that was much appreciated by the audience,” revealed Vinita Gupta, honourary secretary, Indian National Theatre.

Day 2 had classical vocalist duo, Mallick Brothers, win the audience by not just their dhrupad recital but also its history — the oldest form of Indian Classical music heard today, with its origin in vedic hymns. They belong to the illustrious music family of Darbhanga Gharana, with more than 450-year-old musical tradition. They represent the 13th generation of this musical lineage and captivated the audience with their melodious singing.

Saturday also saw vidushi Kamla Shankar, an eminent Indian classical slide guitarist, cast a spell over the audience. A student of Shivnath Bhattacharya and Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, she is credited with inventing the Shankar slide guitar.

The three-day festival saw exceptional performances, but, unfortunately, there were very few takers. Chetna Pathak, who has been to Chandigarh numerous times to perform, shared, “Chandigarh has dedicated classical music lovers. It’s always great to connect to them. Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan organises amazing events, I implore the residents to come and listen to classical music; it is just another way to treasure our invaluable arts. This music will sure survive, but it can thrive only if there are listeners.”