The Surmandali Concerts At The CIEFL Well

This old 
well at the CIEFL, with two-storyed corridors surrounded by thick, wild vegetation, 
had become a dump yard for many years. Until it was discovered (so to speak) and 
spruced up, so that the unique stairs down the still waters and the arched Deccani 
verandahs were fit again to host the best of the cultural razzmatazz. Now the 
Hyderabadi music lovers flock to it in earnest, anxious for the evening to dawn 
and looking expectantly at the facing arch to be occupied by the music maestros 
of our time.



Indeed, amidst the crowded cultural calendar of our city, there are but few events 
that are eagerly looked forward to. "Pandit Motilal and Pandit Maniram Sangeet 
Samaroh", instituted by Pandit Jasraj over three decades ago, has been the sole 
regular event that caters to those who devour upon the lilting Hindustani melodies 
staged by ace artistes of the country. And this year Pandit Jasraj himself appeared 
along with a host of his disciples. Presenting a day-upon-day account.



30 November, Day 1

This was the day of the Guru himself. He started off with his favorite compositions 
from 'Guru'. With much reverence, the music is attributed to the 'guru', and draws 
parallels with the Almighty.



The ever so earnest Mohe Lage Lagan Guru Charan Lagi and Guruva Jane 
Nisi Din Rahiyo set the mood for the remainder of the concert that extended 
till the wee hours of Friday. However, the melodies were often interrupted by 
elaborate eulogizing comments by the coordinator, Sunita Bhodiraja, who often 
introduced the music and musicians to the audience and sought to symbolize the 
music and the performers with Nature. This was something of a drag, and made some 
restless. Music and Nature, and artists and their acts, have to be felt and valued; 
verbose descriptions of the same can mar the picture. But patience, for once, 
seemed to be in abundance.



For the enduring audience, a young Santoor player, Satish Vyas, and Tabla player, 
Vijay Ghate, elaborated the Hamsadhwani raag with the twinkling sounds 
of the 100-stringed Santoor, and the base rhythms of Tabla. Guru Jasraj, along 
with his daughter Durga Jasraj, and disciples Suman, Trupti, Pritam, Chandra and 
Niraj, again took over the stage in the post-interval show with rag Marubehag. 
Na Ja Baabul Ke Des