
BY DR HIRO BADLANI
BELLFLOWER, CA - A house full audience was able to witness an afternoon concert of Indian classical music headlined by Padma Bhushan Pandits Rajan and Sajan Misra, and featuring well known artistes Suman Laha, Pt. Abhijeet Banerjee, Pt. Ashis Sengupta, and Vyasmurti Katti at the William Bristol Auditorium here March 9. The first half of the show featured Suman Laha, music director of Cerritos Music Circle...
BELLFLOWER, CA - A house full audience was able to witness an afternoon concert of Indian classical music headlined by Padma Bhushan Pandits Rajan and Sajan Misra, and featuring well known artistes Suman Laha, Pt. Abhijeet Banerjee, Pt. Ashis Sengupta, and Vyasmurti Katti at the William Bristol Auditorium here March 9. The first half of the show featured Suman Laha, music director of Cerritos Music Circle...

on the veena accompanied by Pt. Abhijeet Banerjee on the tabla/pakhawaj and Niravroh Laha on the tanpura. Since the concert took place in the afternoon, it was very appropriate to present Raga Shuddh Sarang as it is known as a daytime/early afternoon raga. Raga Madhuvanti featured the slow tempo Vilambit for most of the raga followed by the faster tempo Drut Ghat in Teental in conclusion.
Suman Laha’s veena playing was exquisitely balanced and his modern musical expression did not sacrifice the essence of Hindustani classical music. To some it was a surprise that the veena can be played in such a way. The development of both ragas kept the audience captivated resulting in them wanting to be thrilled by more.
The second half of the concert was performed by Rajan and Sajan Misra on vocals accompanied by Ashis Sengupta on the tabla and Vyasmurti Katti on the harmonium. As the curtains were opened, there was a different mood in the room with the Misra brothers on stage. Wearing matching kurtas and dhotis, they showed the unity of the brothers and it only predicted how synchronizing their voices would be to experience in person. Their opening piece was presented in Raga Shree in three beats. They concluded their performance with a beautiful bhajan that demonstrated their superb skills.
The audience was already mesmerized by the first half of the show, but the second half felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The vocals of Misra brothers were rich and their harmony was perfect. It is beyond a doubt that they have taken duet singing to another spiritual level. It was astonishing to hear the strength in their voices at their age and the ranges they can go to. The tabla and harmonium were important factors to the performance’s enchantment. Sengupta maintained the essential rhythmic patterns creating the different emotions of the raga. Katti’s work on the harmonium was impressive as he would easily accompany the vocals and percussion. The concert was organized by the Satsang Foundation - Cerritos Music Circle. Pinakin Pathak, of the Satsang Foundation said that the “foundation is dedicated to educational, health and spiritual institutions committed to improving the lives of people in need. All concerts conducted by Cerritos Music Circle benefits Satsang Foundation.”
Suman Laha’s veena playing was exquisitely balanced and his modern musical expression did not sacrifice the essence of Hindustani classical music. To some it was a surprise that the veena can be played in such a way. The development of both ragas kept the audience captivated resulting in them wanting to be thrilled by more.
The second half of the concert was performed by Rajan and Sajan Misra on vocals accompanied by Ashis Sengupta on the tabla and Vyasmurti Katti on the harmonium. As the curtains were opened, there was a different mood in the room with the Misra brothers on stage. Wearing matching kurtas and dhotis, they showed the unity of the brothers and it only predicted how synchronizing their voices would be to experience in person. Their opening piece was presented in Raga Shree in three beats. They concluded their performance with a beautiful bhajan that demonstrated their superb skills.
The audience was already mesmerized by the first half of the show, but the second half felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The vocals of Misra brothers were rich and their harmony was perfect. It is beyond a doubt that they have taken duet singing to another spiritual level. It was astonishing to hear the strength in their voices at their age and the ranges they can go to. The tabla and harmonium were important factors to the performance’s enchantment. Sengupta maintained the essential rhythmic patterns creating the different emotions of the raga. Katti’s work on the harmonium was impressive as he would easily accompany the vocals and percussion. The concert was organized by the Satsang Foundation - Cerritos Music Circle. Pinakin Pathak, of the Satsang Foundation said that the “foundation is dedicated to educational, health and spiritual institutions committed to improving the lives of people in need. All concerts conducted by Cerritos Music Circle benefits Satsang Foundation.”