– by Sampada Mudgalkar Jatkar

13th August 2023

Gandharva Mahavidyalay, North America (GMV NA) had the privilege to host Smt. Shashwati Mandal in our ‘Baithak’ style intimate concert on Aug 13th, 2023. This concert provided music lovers of Chicago an opportunity to cherish the most promising and foremost exponent of Gwalior Gharana in Tappa singing.

Shashwati ji commenced the concert by stating that she owes her individualistic style of ‘Gayaki’ to her sensitivity for other traditions of music besides Gwalior Gharana, and that she is thrilled to present her interpretation of music for the patrons of GMV, NA

She started her performance with raag Multani. This was followed by a lighter, playful raag – raag Jhinjhoti. The audience was enthralled by her resonant voice, ‘Khayal Gayaki, and clarity of ‘Taans’ and ‘Murkis’. The third raag presented was raag Sohni Bhatiyar which created a pleasant atmosphere in the baithak.

A big fan of late Pandit Kumar Gandharva’s thought process, Shashwati ji chose to present the iconic bandish (composition) in raag Sohni ‘Rang na dalo Shyaam ji’ as a tribute to the centenary birth year of Kumar ji. Before concluding the concert, Shashwati ji presented a prominent feature of Gwalior Gharana, and the most awaited highlight of the evening ‘Tappa’ in Raag Kaafi. In a semiclassical style heavily ornamented by fast ‘Taans’ and ‘Gamaks’, Shashwati ji maintained a perfect balance and gave equal justice to the ‘Bhaav’ (expression) and cast her magical spell on the audience. She concluded her concert with a soulful Nirguni Abhang ‘Bhola mann jaane’ in raag Bhairavi.

When asked about key to the highest level of emotive effect and aesthetic approach in her singing, Shashwati ji attributes it to her deliberate work on the non-musical elements of the craft i.e., diction and understanding the meaning of the words. The deliberation was evident from her mastery over the perfect balance between ‘Taans’, ‘Gamaks’, ‘Bandish’ and the ‘Bhaav’.

Shashwati ji was accompanied by Pandit Shyam Kane, recognized as the first and foremost disciple of the great tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain; Shri Vikas Falnikar, most sought after harmonium player in Chicago area; and Divya Khandekar, a promising vocalist on Tanpura and vocal support. The ensemble put up a phenomenal and immersive experience that will reminisce for a long time.