The unique feature of this musical extravaganza was that it was simultaneously hosted in 18 selected cities across India. And it has big performers, so sure enough, the auditorium was packed with music enthusiasts. Dr. Bala Murali Krishna enthralled the audience with his compositions Parama Pavanamu Nee Namamu with Paraloka Bhayamu Leni (in the Mandari melody). He also sang the composition of Saint Tyagaraja, Krupala Vala Kaladharashekara. His rendition of Nadavarangini, a rare melody, had the audience spellbound. He concluded with a Thillana raga. Manjunath on the violin and S H Guruvayur Dorai on the mrudangam complemented him perfectly.
Rita Ganguly was the next artist to perform. She started as a music student under the able guidance of Gopeshwar Bandopadhay of the Vishnupur gharana at Shanti Niketan, and trained for nearly two decades with mastreos Shambhumaharaj, Siddeshwari Devi and Begum Akthar of the culturally rich Lukhnow and Patiala.
Blessed with a brilliant voice, her renditions of light hindustani classical ghazals were very well received by the audience. Starting off with a Dhumri, Tere bin balamva, set to the melody Kaushik Dwani, she continued with a catchy number Dhandra in Pahadi set to the melody Jhijhoti, and followed it up by mesmerizing the audience with a short Dhumri Maharaja, raski boond pade kivadiya kholo. She also sang other compositions like Bhol bandki dhumri and ghazals of Shakil Badayani. Accompanied by Ghulam Sabir on the sarangi, Sajid Ahmed on the harmonium and Ghulam Ghouse Bharathi on the tabla, Rita literally made the audience swing to her tunes.
Note: Rita Ganguli's program will be broadcast on 1st Dec 2000 at 10:00pm on the radio, and Dr. Bala Murali Krishna's concert on 17th Dec 2000 at 10:00pm.
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