1871 in 2009: The Parsi Gayan Uttejak Mandali

In October 1870, Mumbai saw the birth of the Parsi Gayan Uttejak Mandali, one of the earliest formal music clubs established in the city for the study and performance of Hindustani music.  Under the leadership of its founder Kaikhushro Navrojee Kabrajee (1842-1904), a novelist, playwright and journalist, the Mandali encouraged amateur singers from Parsi families to learn music from well-known musicians on its staff and to present public concerts on a non-professional basis.  One of the most important aspects of the Mandali’s programmes was the inclusion of a wide variety of musical forms from art or classical music and folk repertoire.  Much of this repertoire has passed into oblivion due to a variety of reasons.  Significantly, Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande (1860-1936), eminent music educationist and scholar, had a long association with the Mandali, as a student and a teacher.

To commemorate the vital role of music clubs and music circles in India and to bring to light the rich repertoire presented in the late nineteenth century, Baajaa Gaajaa 2009 featured a reconstruction of the first jalsa or concert held by the Mandali on April 28, 1871.  Some of the compositions included in this jalsa were presented by leading vocalists from Mumbai and Pune.

This concert held on February 6, 2009 at Baajaa Gaajaa 2009, was curated by Shubha Mudgal (vocalist and composer) and Aneesh Pradhan (tabla player and composer).  Research for the performance was conducted by Aneesh Pradhan.

Spin-n-Scratch on February 7, 2009

A concert of electronic music featuring DJ Gaurav Issar and colleagues collaborating in concert with practitioners of traditional music. Featured artistes included  Devaki Pandit, Rakesh Chaurasia, Sumitra Devi, Hitesh Prasad, Sanjoy Das and others.

Maestro’s Muse on February 8, 2009

The earliest recordings of Indian music date back to 1902.  Since then, a wealth of recorded music has provided a source of tremendous inspiration and information to successive generations.  Even maestros of the present have been emotionally and intellectually influenced by these recordings.  This concert was a tribute to this recorded treasure of music.

The presentation featured the Hindustani santoor maestro Shivkumar Sharma and the renowned Carnatic vocalist Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna.  They spoke of the inspiration they drew from earlier recordings or how they had diverted from them.  They played back some of these recordings for the audience.  This was followed by their musical response to this music from the past.