Sumeet Anand Pandey
Dr. Sumeet Anand Pandey, Balázs Virágh and Anikó Novák perform songs of the Gauhār Vāni lineage of the Dhrupad tradition in a concert of ancient Indian classical music. Characterised by a calm, quiet nature, majestic musical gait and a richness of melody, rhythm and lyricism, the performance aims to create a sense of peace and tranquillity, avoiding exhibitionism but not detaching itself from depth and virtuosity.
Schedule
◖ The dhrupad ◗
The dhrupad, the oldest surviving genre of classical music in North India, is believed by many to have its origins in the ancient tradition of Vedic chanting. It is also regarded by some as the source of a now lost tradition, the Salagsuda prabandha. According to documentary evidence, dhrupad developed in the 15th century and flourished over the next 3-4 centuries, until the emergence and popularity of the newer style of singing, khayal. Originally performed in temples, then in royal courts, it is now performed in public concerts.
◖ Structure of the concert ◗
The concert starts with a short introduction in English, followed by a discussion with sitarist Szabolcs Tóth.
The performance will continue with a slow, systematic unfolding of the melodic framework and skeleton of the music chosen for the occasion, without pulsation, then pulsation. The vocal notes, played over the fundamental hum of the four strings of the long-necked lute (tanpura), are saturated with form, colour and content by vowels from the Sanskrit chant 'Hari Om Anant Narayan'.
The final part of the concert features mainly Sanskrit and braj bhasha compositions. Although most of these are spiritual and religious in nature, many of them are about universal human values, philosophy of life, nature and yoga.
The evening will culminate in an improvisation, during which the artists will engage in spontaneous musical conversations, moving away from the fixed structure of the composition, with melodic, rhythmic and emotional improvisations; staying within the boundaries of the melodic framework and rhythmic scheme.
A characteristic feature of Indian classical music and the Darbhanga tradition is the tihai, the repetition of a unit three times, arriving at the starting point of the rhythmic cycle; carrying an intensification, a growing dynamic, eliciting attention and anticipation; signalling the end of the music and the concert. The Darbhanga, or Mallick tradition, is one of the main dhrupad traditions in India, founded by a pair of brothers in the 17th century.
House of Music Hungary
A music education centre and concert venue in the heart of the City Park, behind the airy futuristic glass facade of Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto.