The 21st Quarterly Baithak of Pracheen Kala Kendra, under the series ‘Legends of Tomorrow,’ was held at Triveni Kala Sangam. Young and talented artists Shiv Prasad Rao, Parveen Parihar, and Arpita Bhardwaj received applause for their remarkable performances. On this occasion, the presence of many senior guests from the music world graced the event.
After the traditional lamp lighting ceremony, the program commenced with a performance by Shiv Prasad Rao, who chose Raag Marwa. Following the alap, he presented a Vilambit composition titled ‘Piya More,’ set to Tilwada Taal, which garnered significant applause. He then transitioned to a Drut bandish in teen taal with the bols ‘Jiya Mora.’
Next, he presented a melodious composition, ‘Pritam Saiya,’ in Raag Natmalhar, set to vilambit teen taal. Following that, he performed a Drut bandish titled ‘Barsan Lagi Re’ in teen taal.
To conclude the program, Shiv Prasad presented the composition ‘Pir Parai,’ set to Raag Jog Kauns, composed in teen taal. He was accompanied splendidly by Jitendra Savain on Tabla and Lalit Sisodia on Harmonium.
In the second part of the program, duo Parveen Parihar and Arpita Bhardwaj presented Kathak Jugalbandi, they started the program with Shiv Pachakshar stotra.
This invocatory piece was based on Lord Shiva and Panchakshri Mantra Om Namah Shivayae. This was set to Chautal in seven matra. After this they presented technical part of Kathak dance in which Tode, Tukde, Paran, Gat, Chalen etc. were presented.
Then they moved on to present Abhinaya paksh based performance with a crisp thumri ‘Chalo Chhado Ji Bihari Nari Dekhen Sagri’. This dance piece was a beautiful rendition of Radha-Krishna.
In the end technical aspect of kathak were presented which was highly appreciated by the audience. The fine team of accompanying artists were Samiullah Khan on vocals, Sanjeet Gangani on Padhant, Mohit Gangani on Tabla, Ashish Gangani on Pakhawaj and Ayub Khan on Sarangi. At the end of the program, the artists were honored with Utriya and memento by Dr. Shobha Koser and Sajal Koser.
Artist Shiv Prasad Rao was born and brought up in a musical family of Orissa. Shiv Prasad received his initial training of music from his father, who himself is an accomplished musician. Later, Shiv Prasad learned the nuances of classical music under the tutelage of the famous vocalist of Gwalior Gharana, Vikas Kashalkar. Apart from Gwalior, Shiv is also learning the nuances of Agra Gharana syle of gayiki.
On other hand Parveen Parihar and Arpita Bhardwaj, both are Delhi based young and talented artists. Parveen has obtained Visharad›s diploma from Pracheen Kala Kendra. Post graduate in Dance, Parveen has taken formal dance training from Pt. Rajendra Gangani at Kathak Kendra.
Parveen won applause for his talent not only in India but also abroad.
Arpita Bhardwaj is also an emerging young Kathak dancer. Arpita is pursuing post-graduation from Khairagarh University. Apart from this, she is working as a dance teacher in ‘Chandrakala Music and Dance Academy’. Arpita has also enthralled the audience with her performances at various events.