While there is a lot of informal talk about the ‘North-South divide’, when it comes to classical arts — both music and dance, many artistes from the city and across the country are coming together to perform over the weekend.
Krupa Ravi and Ruchi Sharma
United by seven musical notes
Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar hails from Kolkata and plays North Indian classical music on the Sarod. He enjoys teaming up with Vidwan Kumaresh, the Carnatic violinist from Bengaluru. Says Tejendra, “I have performed Jugalbandi with many musicians, including Mysore Manjunath, Shashank Subramanyam and Ganesh. Mutual understanding, love and respect is very much needed amongst artistes to perform with success. While we are performing in our respective styles, we look towards a ‘third colour’ that comes into the performance as both styles start merging into one.”
Kumaresh adds, “Working within the seven musical notes, it’s a beautiful way of expanding as a student of music. We have a dialogue. Our culture integrates all art forms. The division is only in the minds, information and political system.”
Karthika Anagha
A give and take of individual styles
Karthika Anagha, a Carnatic vocalist from the city has teamed up with Hindustani vocalist Atri Kotal from Kolkata to present a Jugalbandi programme. Kartika defines Jugalbandi as “a harmonic and rhythmic confluence of two distinct styles of music that have different approaches but the same musical intent.” She further explains, “Any collaboration has its pros and cons. All artistes must be on the same wavelength for a successful output.” According to Atri Kotal, “It’s a process of give and take while maintaining individual styles. In this age of technology, I am able to listen to a lot of Carnatic music. Such programmes give us an opportunity and responsibility to showcase both styles of music before the audience.”
Atri Kotal
Best of both worlds
Krupa Ravi is a Bharatanatyam dancer from Hyderabad and collaborates with Kathak exponent Ruchi Sharma from New Delhi. Says Krupa, “A Jugalbandi is the best of two worlds. Going beyond mere convergence, it is an opportunity to celebrate differences and embrace similarities. It is interesting how all dance forms emerge from the same root called movement, a medium of expression.” She adds, “Kathak and Bharatanatyam exist all over India and the world, but accessibility to train and perform in both remains an issue. Collaborations help in realising that there is unity in diversity and that it is important to celebrate differences and embrace similarities.”
Priyanka Chandrashekhar
Says Kathak exponent Ruchi Sharma, “The meaning of both dance forms remains the same. It’s only the approach that is different. It’s a slightly different experience from a solo performance as I have to be aware at each moment about the intricacies that are performed by the co-performer.”
Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar
Collaboration is progress
Bhavana Gowri Penubolu is a Bharatanatyam dancer and has embarked on a Jugalbandi with Kathak dancer Priyanka Chandrasekhar from Bengaluru. Bhavana says, “We had to constantly brainstorm and ask ‘why’ before moving ahead to ensure that the essence is not lost.” Priyanka explains, “Such collaborations provide me an opportunity for understanding styles and creating new ideas.”
