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The programme organized by Sangeet Ashram at the G.D. Birla Sabhaghar on November 17 was long awaited. After a long time, Calcutta got a rare opportunity to enjoy a performance by Ustad Rais Khan, who now lives in Pakistan and appears for stage performances occasionally. Rais Khan, who is the nephew of the famous sitar maestro, Ustad Vilayat Khan, plays the Gandhar Pancham sitar which was specially designed by his maternal uncle. Rais KhanÂ’s musical style is greatly influenced by Vilayat Khan.

Sangeet Ashram organized a vocal recital by Padma Talwarkar with the accompaniment of her daughter, Savani Talwarkar, on the tabla.

Ustad Sayeeduddin Dagar, flanked by his two sons Aneesuddin and Nafeesuddin, was visibly moved by the fact that he was able to return to his own city Kolkata this time after a prolonged illness. Pandit Vijay Kichlu invited this grand nephew of the legendary Ustad Nasiruddin Khan and son of Kolkata-based Ustad Hussainuddin Khan Dagar, who is fondly remembered by elder Kolkatan as Tansen Pandey, to give a recital under the aegis of his organization Sangeet Ashram.

The musical session was a learning experience for the audience. Organized by Sangeet Ashram, the programme featuring Ustad Sayeeduddin Dagar was held on August 3 at G.D. Birla Sabhagar. With his two sons, Aneesuddin Dagar and Nafeesuddin Dagar, the exponent of the famous Dagar gharana presented dhrupad and dhamar in different ragas. They started with Raga Adbhut Kalyan, for which the Dagars are famous.

What is the origin of Shehnai, how it became an integral part of all auspicious events and ceremonies like puja, marriage, sacred thread ceremony etc., why people from all walks of life, irrespective of cast and creed, accept it as an intrinsic part of their most special days – these are some questions that rarely raise their heads. The reason being the instrument, an inseparable part of the happy moments in the lives of people belonging to Indian subcontinent, is taken for granted. If not live, the recorded versions fulfil the need of its auspicious sound. But, as is his way of introducing classical musicians, Pandit Vijay Kichlu focused on some of these points; because the latest presentation by his Sangeet Ashram at Birla Sabhagar featured veteran shehnai exponent Ustad Ali Ahmed Hussain Khan, fondly called Ali-da.