A vibrant tabla jugalbandi marked the centenary year celebrations at Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya on Thursday. Music lovers gathered at the Rai Umanath Bali auditorium for an afternoon steeped in rhythm and tradition.
The recital was organised jointly by the university and the Bhatkhande alumni association, and featured noted alumni Tushar Sahay and Shubham Bharti on tabla. Arif Khan provided melodic accompaniment on the harmonium.
The performance brought alive a music synchronisation (jugalbandi) between the Banaras and Lucknow gharanas in the 16-beat teentaal composition. Vice Chancellor of Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Prof Mandavi Singh, attended as chief guest and lauded the artistes. She stated that the presentation reflected the depth of Indian classical tradition and the excellence carried forward by the institution's alumni.
The recital progressed through classical elements such as uthaan, peshkar, kayda, rela and intricate tihais, before culminating in energetic drut compositions, including chakradhar gats and parans. The audience responded with repeated applause, particularly during the lively rhythmic exchanges between the two tabla players.
Tushar Sahay expressed his joy, saying, "It is like a dream come true for me to perform in my own university in front of my teachers where I learnt and brushed up my skills." The event also saw the release of a souvenir documenting the alumni association's activities over the past year.
