Dive deep into Dhrupad with Anant Gundecha
In fact, the Gundecha Brothers established the Dhrupad Sansthan in Bhopal. It is a unique musical academy patterned after the ancient guru-shishya (teacher-disciple) tradition of education, which the young singer swears by. 'When I attended one of the classes, I realised that the reason I am not getting bored is because it can be improvised — there is no fixed way to go about it. Every time you attempt a raag, you are searching for something new,' he shares, with eagerness in his voice.
So, what is Anant's favourite raag? Initially hesitant to choose, he eventually relents, saying, 'Raag Bhimpalasi, an early evening raag. It is still in my mind because I taught everyone this raag in the workshop.'
Anant is someone with a unique understanding of Hindustani classical music. While his knowledge comes from two Dhrupad stalwarts, he is aware of changing times and realities. As such, he urges aspiring singers in the tradition to first find a good guru. 'That is the most important step. Next, completely surrender to what your guru advises. As students, we tend to carry some ego, questioning authority. But don't question…simply imbibe,' he underscores.
At the same time, he highlights the gaps in the music space, saying, 'Institutional support is needed to reach out to newer, younger audiences. When children are exposed to music early on, they are likely to embrace it with much more warmth as they grow older, correct? Ideally, each city should have five to six music circles that invite both local and visiting musicians. If artists consistently present good music, a good audience will naturally build over time.'
It's simple — for Anant, music is what made him who he is today. 'It has taught me many, many lessons, and I keep learning.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scroll.in
2 days ago
- Scroll.in
Listen: How tabla players accompany specially choreographed kathak works
In the last instalment of our series on tabla accompaniment to Hindustani vocal music and dance, we look closely at specially choreographed works that form a part of kathak performances and require a different skill from tabla players. Given the fact that these are largely precomposed works often using vocal forms like taranas that are interspersed with dance, pakhawaj or tabla compositions, the tabla players have to rehearse these compositions in order to be well-acquainted with the sequence of changes within each work. At times, the music ensemble may have a tabla player who does not usually accompany the dancer. In such cases, dancers may choose to have an additional tabla player or pakhawaj player who regularly accompanies them, as these musicians have memorised the sequences and can take the lead in guiding the rhythmic accompaniment. On other occasions, especially when dancers travel overseas, the usual ensemble does not accompany them. In such cases, they may even choose to use a recorded version of the music for their dance recitals. The track in today's instalment features a tarana in the raag Nand set to the 12-matra Ektaal. It is sung by well-known vocalist and composer Ashit Desai and is interpreted by the renowned dancer Durga Lal. Listeners will note the manner in which the tabla follows the footwork and dance compositions as well as the syllables of the tarana. Play
India Gazette
3 days ago
- India Gazette
Fragrant Ragaz Set to Enchant Pune: A First-of-Its-Kind Multi-Sensory Raga Experience
SMPL New Delhi [India], June 6: In a world where art forms often exist in silos, Fragrant Ragaz emerges as a pioneering experience that dissolves boundaries, inviting audiences to engage with Indian classical music through all five senses. This patented concept transforms the traditional listening experience into a multi-sensory journey, where ragas are not only heard but also seen, touched, tasted, and smelled. The Visionaries Behind the Experience At the helm of Fragrant Ragaz are two visionaries: Dr. Kaustuv Kanti Ganguli, a distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist and professor of music AI, and Mohanish Jaju, an innovator with a passion for sensory storytelling. Dr. Ganguli's deep understanding of ragas and their emotional nuances, combined with Jaju's expertise in creating immersive environments, culminates in an experience that redefines how audiences connect with music. Their collaboration is not just a fusion of music and technology but a holistic approach to experiencing art. By integrating elements like aroma, texture, and taste, they aim to evoke the rasa--the emotional essence--of each raga, offering a profound connection that resonates on multiple sensory levels. A Symphony of Senses Fragrant Ragaz is structured as a journey through three distinct chambers, each meticulously designed to engage different senses: 1. The Aroma Chamber: Here, specific fragrances corresponding to particular ragas envelop the space, allowing participants to 'smell' the mood and emotion of the music. 2. The Texture and Taste Chamber: Textures and flavors are curated to align with the raga's character, enabling attendees to 'feel' and 'taste' the music's essence. 3. The Visual and Auditory Chamber: A live concert featuring vocals, Sarangi, keyboard, and Tabla is enhanced with visual projections, creating a synesthetic experience where sight and sound converge. This immersive walk culminates in a live performance, where the boundaries between performer and audience blur, and the raga is experienced as a living, breathing entity. Collaborations That Elevate the Experience The richness of Fragrant Ragaz is amplified by collaborations with experts in various sensory domains: - Devendra Sugandhi, Aroma Partner: 'Fragrance has the power to transport us to different emotional landscapes. By aligning specific scents with ragas, we create an olfactory pathway to the soul of the music.' - Chef Sarvesh, Food Partner: 'Taste is deeply linked to memory and emotion. By pairing flavors with musical notes, we offer a palate that resonates with the raga's mood.' - Between-D-Notess, Music Partner: 'Our goal is to create an immersive soundscape that triggers memory, not only complementing but also enhancing the multi-sensory elements, making raga a holistic experience.' A Patented Innovation Fragrant Ragaz builds on patents in mapping musical versus fragrance notes, filed in the USA, UAE, and India, underscoring its uniqueness and the innovative approach to experiencing immersive music spaces. This recognition not only validates the concept but also sets a precedent for future explorations in multi-sensory art forms. The Road Ahead Following a successful showcase at the notable event at the G5A Foundation in Mumbai, Fragrant Ragaz is set to enchant audiences in Pune. Tickets are available through a secure Razorpay gateway, ensuring a seamless booking experience. The event will feature a 30-minute guided walk with slots available from 4pm to 7:30pm, followed by the world's first immersive Raga Music live concert starting at 8:30pm. As the world seeks deeper, more meaningful connections with art, Fragrant Ragaz stands as a testament to the boundless possibilities when tradition meets innovation. For more information, visit - (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business Standard
Fragrant Ragaz Set to Enchant Pune: A First-of-Its-Kind Multi-Sensory Raga Experience
SMPL New Delhi [India], June 6: In a world where art forms often exist in silos, Fragrant Ragaz emerges as a pioneering experience that dissolves boundaries, inviting audiences to engage with Indian classical music through all five senses. This patented concept transforms the traditional listening experience into a multi-sensory journey, where ragas are not only heard but also seen, touched, tasted, and smelled. The Visionaries Behind the Experience At the helm of Fragrant Ragaz are two visionaries: Dr. Kaustuv Kanti Ganguli, a distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist and professor of music AI, and Mohanish Jaju, an innovator with a passion for sensory storytelling. Dr. Ganguli's deep understanding of ragas and their emotional nuances, combined with Jaju's expertise in creating immersive environments, culminates in an experience that redefines how audiences connect with music. Their collaboration is not just a fusion of music and technology but a holistic approach to experiencing art. By integrating elements like aroma, texture, and taste, they aim to evoke the rasa--the emotional essence--of each raga, offering a profound connection that resonates on multiple sensory levels. A Symphony of Senses Fragrant Ragaz is structured as a journey through three distinct chambers, each meticulously designed to engage different senses: 1. The Aroma Chamber: Here, specific fragrances corresponding to particular ragas envelop the space, allowing participants to "smell" the mood and emotion of the music. 2. The Texture and Taste Chamber: Textures and flavors are curated to align with the raga's character, enabling attendees to "feel" and "taste" the music's essence. 3. The Visual and Auditory Chamber: A live concert featuring vocals, Sarangi, keyboard, and Tabla is enhanced with visual projections, creating a synesthetic experience where sight and sound converge. This immersive walk culminates in a live performance, where the boundaries between performer and audience blur, and the raga is experienced as a living, breathing entity. Collaborations That Elevate the Experience The richness of Fragrant Ragaz is amplified by collaborations with experts in various sensory domains: - Devendra Sugandhi, Aroma Partner: "Fragrance has the power to transport us to different emotional landscapes. By aligning specific scents with ragas, we create an olfactory pathway to the soul of the music." - Chef Sarvesh, Food Partner: "Taste is deeply linked to memory and emotion. By pairing flavors with musical notes, we offer a palate that resonates with the raga's mood." - Between-D-Notess, Music Partner: "Our goal is to create an immersive soundscape that triggers memory, not only complementing but also enhancing the multi-sensory elements, making raga a holistic experience." A Patented Innovation Fragrant Ragaz builds on patents in mapping musical versus fragrance notes, filed in the USA, UAE, and India, underscoring its uniqueness and the innovative approach to experiencing immersive music spaces. This recognition not only validates the concept but also sets a precedent for future explorations in multi-sensory art forms. The Road Ahead Following a successful showcase at the notable event at the G5A Foundation in Mumbai, Fragrant Ragaz is set to enchant audiences in Pune. Tickets are available through a secure Razorpay gateway, ensuring a seamless booking experience. The event will feature a 30-minute guided walk with slots available from 4pm to 7:30pm, followed by the world's first immersive Raga Music live concert starting at 8:30pm. As the world seeks deeper, more meaningful connections with art, Fragrant Ragaz stands as a testament to the boundless possibilities when tradition meets innovation. For more information, visit -
