Attendees attentively listen as the concert begins.
On Saturday 28th November music lovers from many parts of England gathered to enjoy an evening of Indian classical performances at the Nishkam Centre. This event was held to support students – the next generation of artists – and build a platform for their future musical careers. This was the Nishkam Centre’s first Sangeet Baithak. Sangeet is a Sanskrit word for music, and Baithak is a social gathering, usually with everyone sitting on the floor.
The atmosphere was one of anticipation and excitement as 5pm
Roopa Panesar’s Sitar Students from the Nishkam Centre
approached. Performers were setting up and tuning their instruments, while attendees waited patiently to take their seats. The Nishkam Centre sitar students, tutored by professional Sitarist Roopa Panesar, student of world renowned Sitarist and educationalist, Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE, were first to take centre stage. Nishkam Sitar students Jaswir Sandhu, Mohammed Bashir, Wasim Hussein, Ishani Mackan (Leeds), Fait Punia (Leeds), Basant Bhogal, Beena Mehay-Bennett, Gurmukh Singh Chandan, and Naam Kaur Deogan captured the attention of the audience as they played in Raag Bimpilasi with mesmerising and well-rehearsed confidence and ease.
Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE
Roopa Panesar said, “I feel elated for all the performers to have had such a positive response in a beautiful listening environment. May this be the first Sangeet Baithak of many more!”
The next performers – Tabla Trio Jeevan Singh, Bhavanjot Singh Rehal, and Prabhjot Singh, students of Sri Bhupinder Singh Chaggar (disciple of late Pandit Sharda Sahai) came from Leeds to perform. There were repeated periods of applause from the audience as their individual and collective tabla cycles became increasingly intricate.
Tremendous feedback received from the audience was both uplifting and inspiring.
“A wonderful and aspiring evening full of joy and kindness, the
Kaviraj Singh (Santoor) and Pritpal Singh (Tabla) performing.
music touched my heart.”
During a short interval attendees were able to network and exchange views about the performances. After the intermission a sitar performance – this time a solo – by Akash Parekh, another Nishkam Centre student of Roopa Panesar was enjoyed by all. He was accompanied by Saheb Singh (Student of Pritam Singh) on tabla. Akash captured the emotion that the playing of a sitar can instil.
Ustad Dharambir Singh (Disciple of late Ustad Vilayat Khan) then addressed the audience as a special guest speaker with a presentation on Sangeet and Sadhana (discipline or dedicated practice). Ustad Ji was intellectually engaging as he took the audience on a journey of the art of music and how it is practiced. He expressed that this event was, “A great experience of listening to Indian classical music in an intimate Baithak style – a traditional and ancient mode of sitting down together with a more involved, supportive and exclamatory audience response. These kinds of gatherings must become the norm in every community in the country.”
Akash Parekh, student of Roopa Panesar playing a Sitar solo.
Audience member Gurvir Singh stated that the concert was an “absolutely awesome program! The artists were inspirational and the talk about Sangeet Sadhana was on another level – I really enjoyed it. Thank you Nishkam!”
The night ended with a professional performance by Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla. Kaviraj Singh captured the heart of the audience with a Santoor and singing performance. He was accompanied by Pritpal Singh Rai on tabla (student of late Pandit Sharda Sahai and Sri Bhupinder Singh Chaggar). The sound of the Santoor was emotional and left a feeling of spiritual bliss in the air as the concert came to a close.
Closing remarks were made by Sewa Singh Mandla, who later said,
The Leeds “Tabla Trio” performing in front of a delighted audience.
“The Indian Classical Music (Sangeet Baithak) held at the Nishkam Centre was an exceptional display of local talent in a very friendly atmosphere. We must do more to motivate and encourage them for such performances.”
Future concerts are already in their initial planning stages, keep checking the Nishkam Centre website for updates.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For more information:
- For further information and queries please contact Ajit Singh 01215154229
- Nishkam Media Centre – nishkammediacentre.com
Nishkam Media Centre 