BY RAFIQ DOSSANI
NORWALK, CA - The auditorium at the Sanatan Dharma Temple here was the venue for the annual signature concert organized by the Cerritos Music Circle on May 19. The program commenced with Guru Vandana, offered by students of CMC. This was followed by a mesmerizing veena recital by Suman Laha,
NORWALK, CA - The auditorium at the Sanatan Dharma Temple here was the venue for the annual signature concert organized by the Cerritos Music Circle on May 19. The program commenced with Guru Vandana, offered by students of CMC. This was followed by a mesmerizing veena recital by Suman Laha,
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Music Director of CMC. He was accompanied on the tabla by Pandit Samir Chatterjee. Their performance of Raga Multani in the traditional style of alap was followed by jod and jhala in Dhrupad style. It was succeeded by vilambit, building up to Drut gat, and followed by a rousing sawaal-jawaab and jhala.
“Sumanji’s performance today demonstrates the depth of perfection of his art. I am so pleased that, thanks to Sumanji, CMC showcase artists every few months. CMC, through such performance and its music classes for students, has played a key role in bringing Indian classical music to Los Angeles. The students, further, perform in student concerts organized by CMC on important dates, such as Durga Puja.” Said Pinakin Pathak, President & Founder of CMC.
After a short break, the audience reassembled for the performance of Banaras Gharana virtuosos Padma Bhushan Pandits Rajan and Sajan Misra, who are on a world tour of their meditative series ‘Bhairav Se Bhairavi Tak’. The duo was accompanied on the tabla by Shantilal Shah and on the harmonium by Sumit Mishra, the latter also from Varanasi. Their renditions included Raga Bihagra, followed by Raga Hamir. The spellbound audience kept asking for more, and the singers duly acceded, performing thumri and bhajans. Finally, the five-hour long concert came to an end. The artists were presented with plaques, Certificate of Recognition from the City of Cerritos, shawls and bouquets by B.U. Patel,. Uka Solanki and Pinakin Pathak.
“This annual concert is an example of the outstanding caliber of classical music that is available in the greater Los Angeles area today. It has taken many patient years of nurturing the audience through offering regular performances. I believe we are at the point of take-off.” Said Laha. Cerritos Music Circle has an ambitious agenda to promote Indian classical music in the Los Angeles area and to have an Indian center of performing arts. Pathak stated that he is very pleased to announce a website `Institute of Indian Culture’ (iicla.org) for connecting worldwide organizations with Indian artists who foster and strengthen Indian culture relationships via classical music and traditional classical dances. Together we create Indian cultural harmony. Artists and origination who promote Indian culture are welcome to join free of charge. We are very pleased and thankful to Pandits Rajan & Sajan Misrai for blessing us with divine performance and accepting the invitation for IICLA advisory board members.
“Sumanji’s performance today demonstrates the depth of perfection of his art. I am so pleased that, thanks to Sumanji, CMC showcase artists every few months. CMC, through such performance and its music classes for students, has played a key role in bringing Indian classical music to Los Angeles. The students, further, perform in student concerts organized by CMC on important dates, such as Durga Puja.” Said Pinakin Pathak, President & Founder of CMC.
After a short break, the audience reassembled for the performance of Banaras Gharana virtuosos Padma Bhushan Pandits Rajan and Sajan Misra, who are on a world tour of their meditative series ‘Bhairav Se Bhairavi Tak’. The duo was accompanied on the tabla by Shantilal Shah and on the harmonium by Sumit Mishra, the latter also from Varanasi. Their renditions included Raga Bihagra, followed by Raga Hamir. The spellbound audience kept asking for more, and the singers duly acceded, performing thumri and bhajans. Finally, the five-hour long concert came to an end. The artists were presented with plaques, Certificate of Recognition from the City of Cerritos, shawls and bouquets by B.U. Patel,. Uka Solanki and Pinakin Pathak.
“This annual concert is an example of the outstanding caliber of classical music that is available in the greater Los Angeles area today. It has taken many patient years of nurturing the audience through offering regular performances. I believe we are at the point of take-off.” Said Laha. Cerritos Music Circle has an ambitious agenda to promote Indian classical music in the Los Angeles area and to have an Indian center of performing arts. Pathak stated that he is very pleased to announce a website `Institute of Indian Culture’ (iicla.org) for connecting worldwide organizations with Indian artists who foster and strengthen Indian culture relationships via classical music and traditional classical dances. Together we create Indian cultural harmony. Artists and origination who promote Indian culture are welcome to join free of charge. We are very pleased and thankful to Pandits Rajan & Sajan Misrai for blessing us with divine performance and accepting the invitation for IICLA advisory board members.
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