It is said that there is Raga (Hindustani Classical Music notes) for any mood or for any time of the day. When an artist recites the right raga it can have a mesmerising effect on the listener!
Patrons of Hindustani Classical Music in Melbourne, Australia, were enthralled bby a similar mesmerising effect on Sunday morning by a young and eminent vocalist from India, Shri Mandar Gadgil.
Mandar aptly started the recital with a composition in Basant Mukhari which is a mix of Raga Bhairav and Raga Bhairavi which are both morning ragas!
For the next 3 hours he enthralled the audience with a wide range of ragas, and in various languages too (Avadhi, Punjabi, Marathi and Kannada).
Mandar is on his maiden Australia tour and Melbourne is his first stop. He is scheduled to perform in Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane during this week. Interested people can check out his schedule here.
Mandar’s Melbourne tour was anchored by Melbourne Hindustani Classical Music Society (MHCMS) – a leading group of prominent Melbourne based Hindustani Classical exponents.
This group regularly stages such events throughout the year offering a platform to such eminent artists from overseas as well as the local artists. Incidentally, this was the 106th concert hosted by MHCMS and the first live concert post COVID-19.
Mandar was ably supported by Pt. Pandurang Torvi on Tabla and Pt. Saugato Ghosh on Harmonium – both extremely well known artists in the Melbourne Indian music circle.
Mandar hails from Pune, India and was initiated into music by his parents at a very young age. He has been learning music under the tutelage of Pandit Vijay Koparkar – a renowned vocalist himself and a student of two illustrious stalwarts of Hindustani Music – Late Shri Vasantrao Deshpande and Late Shri Jitendra Abhisheki.
As a prominent Indian Classical vocalist, Mandar is known for his mesmerising range and repertoire of Raags and Bandishes in his music. He has been performing in concerts across India and in the USA.
Apart from Khayal music, he also performs Marathi Natyasangeet, Bhajans and Semi-Classical music. With his dedication and devotion to classical music, Mandar has won various prestigious competitions, like the first prize at the national level in the All India Radio (AIR) classical music competition. His scholarship in music is complimented by many prestigious awards and fellowships.
Just 34 years of age, he is a shining example to youth in India and around the world. In addition to music he also excels in academics and works as a Software Engineer at Persistent Systems, a leading Software company based in Pune. However, he is very clear that music is his profession and his work as a software engineer is his hobby!
I would like to add here, that the accompanying artists Shri Torvi and Shri Ghosh are also engaged in a full time vocation, but have their mind and heart in music. They set an example to all of us to pursue our passion in any art and give it our best. Patron groups like MHCMS will always welcome you with open arms if you are sincere to your art.
We encourage you to check out Mandar’s website to learn more about him and check out his past and future events. We also encourage you to visit the MHCMS website to learn more about the Hindustani Classical events in Melbourne.
Contributing Author: Sanjiv Kulkarni is an ardent Indian cinema and music buff with an interest in the art of movie-making. He shares his take on movies and some rarer movies too. He lives in Melbourne and works as an IT Sales leader.
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