Soul stirring Dhrupad

Around five years ago, the famous proponents of Dhrupad music, the Gundecha brothers, decided to establish a school in Hyderabad that provides young and old an opportunity to learn this ancient form of music. Manish Kumar, the foremost disciple of the Gundecha brothers visits Hyderabad for a stretch of eight days every month and instructs interested students. Now, these students are preparing to perform at the Dhrupad Utsav, which starts in Hyderabad on Friday.

Ayaan Kabir has been learning Dhrupad for the past five years and initially did not like the music. Says Ayaan, “I am a big fan of alternative pop music.

I have learnt many new compositions but have stage fear. I look forward to this group performance in Hyderabad. As we all sing together, the rendering would be much more powerful and resonating. I always wanted to be a musician and look forward to the days when my studies will be over.” Ayaan’s father, Dalbir Singh, has also joined the Dhrupad bandwagon and is a part of the group.

Hriday Bhushan, a young student of Hindustani classical music, has been learning Dhrupad at the Hyderabad Gurukul. Says Hriday, “Hindustani music has had a tradition of performance at the royal courts of rulers in India. But Dhrupad music has always been practiced as a medium to connect with the Almighty. Practicing Dhrupad helps one’s voice  and it’s very important to get the pronunciations of each word right. I have the full support of  my parents.”

Varun Raju and his mother Anuradha Raju have been learning at this school since the last five years. Says Varun, “I used to learn Carnatic music in my younger days and found it little difficult to adapt to Dhrupad music. My voice was also changing and I had to keep practicing every day to dwell deeper. I can feel the difference today.

Vijaya Raman is the host of the Dhrupad Gurukul in Hyderabad and wanted to join the meditation classes. Says Vijaya, “Dhrupad is truly meditative. In the year 2014, Manish asked me to try singing. For 30 years, I had never opened my mouth and was wondering what I could do by starting at the age of 70. Initially, my voice kept quivering. Now, it is truly a very satisfying moment.”

Supriti Chakraborti is a Hindustani music teacher, who was drawn to this form of music. Says Supriti, “My teacher Sudeshna Gupta felt that my voice is suitable for Dhrupad music and kept encouraging me to learn it. The depth of this music is changing the perspective of my life.”

Harini, along with her daughters Maitreyi and Hamsa, have been learning in this gurukul as they have found the right guru. Says Hamsa, “I am more comfortable singing in a group. It’s safer than singing alone or making mistakes during a solo performance.”

Preeti Kundalia has learnt Bengali music, light classical music and Carnatic music from the likes of Purshottam Das Jalota and Kollegal Subramanyam. Preeti adds, “It is a spiritual journey. When I practice at home, everyone listens in silence. The method of teaching at the gurukul is very scientific and soul satisfying.”