46th Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan: Mesmerizing Performances by the Mallick Brothers and Dr. Kamla Shankar on Classical Slide Guitar

The classical vocalist duo, also known as the Mallick brothers,  started their performance with an Aalap in Raag Marwa, followed by a Chautaal composition, “Bansi Natwar Bajaye,” which delighted the audience. In the Dhrupad singing style, they presented a Shiv Stuti, “Jake Mrig Chhal Take,” in Chaar Taal, enchanting the listeners. They ended their performance with “Om Maa Saraswati E Saraswati” in Raag Saraswati set to Sooltaal, leaving the audience deeply moved.

The Mallick Brothers hail from the esteemed Darbhanga Gharana, a musical lineage over 450 years old, representing the 13th generation of a family that has produced many eminent music maestros. They were initiated into Dhrupad music at an early age by their father, Professor Pandit Mallick, a renowned Dhrupad vocalist. Later, they had the privilege of learning the nuances of Dhrupad singing from their grandfather, the legendary Pandit Vidur Mallick. Today, the Mallick Brothers are among the most sought-after Dhrupad singers in India. They are top-graded Dhrupad artists on All India Radio and Doordarshan and have performed at many prestigious music festivals in India and abroad.

In her performance, Vidushi Dr. Kamla Shankar, an eminent Indian classical slide guitarist, cast a spell over the audience. Vidushi Dr. Kamla Shankar began her performance with Raag Jog, presenting an Aalap, Jod, and Jhala, followed by two compositions set in Vilambit Teen Taal and Madhya Teen Taal for the audience. After that, she captivated the listeners with a mesmerizing Jhala. She concluded her performance with a melody in Raag Mishra Pilu.

Dr. Kamla Shankar, the first prominent female Indian classical slide guitarist, has enchanted audiences worldwide with her soulful Hindustani classical music. She is credited with inventing the slide guitar technique. Known for her exceptional control, versatility, and depth, she possesses a unique and natural ability to play in the “gayaki ang” (vocal style). Her early guitar training was under Dr. Shivnath Bhattacharya, and she received invaluable guidance from Guru Padma Bhushan Pandit Chhannulal Mishra of Varanasi. In addition to classical music, she has also mastered Purab Ang styles such as Thumri, Kajri, Dadra, and Chaiti, along with Rabindra Sangeet and bhajans.

The artists were skilfully accompanied by Vinod Lele on tabla, Paromita Mukherjee on harmonium, and Gaurav Shankar Upadhyay on pakhawaj. The conference is open to all music lovers with free entry, and the stage was expertly managed by Ustat Bal.