Lovers of Indian classical music had an evening to remember at the Tollygunge Club on November 18 with Parveen Sultana (vocals), Jyoti Goho (harmonium), Asif Khan (tabla), Partha Bose (sitar) and Sabir Khan (tabla) performing at Saaz Aur Awaaz.
The evening began with Partha Bose on the sitar, accompanied by Sabir Khan on the tabla. “In this beautiful ambience of Tollygunge Club, having in front of us the crème de la crème of Kolkata, I would like to thank the club for upholding our musical heritage,” said Bose said before playing Yaman Kalyan – a raga whose mood is “serenity, peace, tranquillity and devotion”.
Pandit Partha Bose on the sitar
Bose described Sabir Khan as “a living legend of tabla, who is seen mostly on stage with other living legends”. As prelude to raga Hameer, which he played in Madhyalaya Teental and Drut Teental, Bose said: “Sabir Khan’s presence this evening is a reflection of his love and affection for me and I have always sought his inspiration and guidance.” The performance concluded with a lively dhun.
The duo were felicitated by Sujoy Banerjee, vice-president of the Tollygunge Club.
Ustad Sabir Khan in full flow
The second half of the evening was dedicated to Parveen Sultana. The audience braved the chill and greeted her with a standing ovation as she entered the stage.
“I had performed at this club at least 15 to 20 years ago, and I still remember I had been requested by the audience to sing several of their favourite songs and I had said that I would try to perform as much as I could and the rest of them I would perform in future. Today, I am delighted that I am being able to perform for this club again,” Parveen Sultana said.
The first of her musical presentations was a thumri in raga Puriya Dhanashree, followed by a bhajan and another thumri in raga Mishra Peelu before the audience requested her to sing Bhavani Dayani, a bhajan dedicated to goddess Durga.
The second half of the evening was dedicated to Parveen Sultana
“I love performing in Kolkata and I come here to perform often. I will be back here again to perform at the Dover Lane music conference. I had performed at Tolly Club several years ago and at that time I had my brother Ustad Sabir Khan play with me. Today after so many years I have his son, Asif, to accompany me. Tolly Club indeed is very special to me,” Parveen Sultana said. She was accompanied on the harmonium by Jyoti Goho.
Parveen Sultana was accompanied on the harmonium by Jyoti Goho
Member-speak
Sujoy Banerjee
“Saaz Aur Awaaz was a very special event for Tollygunge Club. To host the maestros and legends of Indian classical music was an honour for us. We had an evening of enchanting music. Parveen Sultana was at her magical best. We were simply mesmerised by her melodious renditions.”
— Sujoy Banerjee, vice-president, Tollygunge Club
"It was a moment in time to be able to listen to a living legend."
— Anil Mukerji, CEO and managing member, Tollygunge Club
