Bickram Ghosh’s love for rhythm is well-documented in his music. December 4 saw the musician spread this love at South City International School auditorium, where he took a live workshop for the first time on ‘Rhythm as a Lifestyle’. Organised in association with Wings Preschool, Daycare and Activity Centre, the evening also saw performances from students and teachers of the Bickram Ghosh Academy of Performing Arts (BGAPA). The event was an effort in encouraging children not only to play music, but to feel it too.
While (L-R) Jaya Seal Ghosh and Pankaj Sinha Roy won over audiences with their Bharatanatyam performance, Shamila Bhattacharya amazed them with her prowess in Kathak. “The energy on stage was amazing. We did our annual show after two years and everyone gave their 100 per cent. I cherished every bit of the magical evening,” said Bhattacharya, who has been a teacher at the academy since its inception
“The Bickram Ghosh Academy’s annual concert is a very special event for all of us. It showcases the talent that has been honed every day, and it isn’t just restricted to percussion, but every domain of the performing arts. The workshop is an initiation into drumming and rhythm as a lifestyle,” said Ghosh before kicking off the proceedings.
A lot of emphasis was on the young guard taking over. While Ghosh’s Chotte Ustads (left) put up a tabla performance, Shamila Bhattacharya’s students (right) excelled in Kathak. “I haven’t even completed a year at the academy, but today I got to do my first performance here. I’m very fortunate that Shamila ma’am gave me this opportunity and the academy has supported its students throughout,” said Mahikaa Bhattacharya, a Class IX student of The Heritage School
The event began with dance performances of several forms, including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi and Contemporary. Among the performers were both faculty members and students of BGAPA, and Jaya Seal Ghosh led multiple performances from the front.
The evening also saw students of the academy being felicitated. Archan Mahato, a Class III student of Don Bosco Park Circus (extreme left) and Sahil Sharma (extreme right) were all smiles after being awarded in the drums category. “Receiving this certificate from maestro Pandit Bickram Ghosh is a huge honour for me. My fellow students from the drums class have made it even more memorable,” said Sharma. Sarmistha (centre) expressed pride over her son’s progress. “Archan has been participating in BGAPA’s annual concert for four years now, starting from the age of 4. I deeply cherish seeing him learn and grow at the academy,” she said
After felicitating selected students of the Academy, Ghosh began his most-awaited workshop. “Rhythm is a beat in your heart, making it the very thing that keeps you alive,” he said, while peppering questions about music to the students. After clearing the basics, he invited the students to join him onstage with their instruments.
“I will ask you a question with my tabla, and you will answer with a sound. Let’s start with a clap!” said Ghosh, beckoning the kids to join him in creating music with simple rhythms. The students joined in with their own percussion instruments, from spoons to buckets
Over the course of the workshop, the auditorium transformed into a space of echoing sounds from diverse instruments, as Ghosh directed the kids’ energies into a melodious direction. “The purpose of this workshop is to create something by collaborating with others,” he added.
The Ghoshes also welcomed (L-R) Pandit S. Sekhar (Bickram’s Guru) and Dr. G V Subramanian, Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Kolkata. “Bickram and Jaya compliment each other beautifully. I would like to congratulate their academy for bringing out students who are truly a service to society,” said Sekhar. “We have seen Bickramda’s creatively flourish both on and off the stage over a long period of time. Art is integral to the culture of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and we appreciate how he has grown it in both a classical and contemporary way,” added Subramania
Following the performances, Ghosh also jammed with musicians Chandradip Goswami, Abhisek Mallick, Kunal Das and Mayookh Bhaumik. Their rendition of Ghosh’s popular track, The Dance of Shiva especially drew loud cheers.
Signing off, Ghosh emphasised on how valuable the workshop was for him too. “Rhythm originates in our heartbeat and permeates the entire cosmos through the cyclic nature of 24-hour days and 365 days a year. My goal through this workshop was to connect the kids to the enormity of rhythm in our lives. Getting them on stage with whatever they brought - from drums to pots, pans and buckets, and jamming with them was very exciting. I can’t wait to do it again!”
