The music lovers of Doha were treated to a spectacular evening of Indian classical music at Al Thuraya Hall in Pullman Doha Hotel. The ‘Ganga Cauvery’ event, hosted by Beats and Tunes Events, featured an exceptional fusion performance by the President of India Awardee Purbayan Chatterjee on sitar, Ambi Subramaniam on violin, Phalgun Parupalli on mridangam, and Tanay Rege on tabla.
The event was a resounding success, drawing an audience of nearly 450 music enthusiasts.
The evening commenced with Ambi Subramaniam’s solo performance in the Bilahari raga, setting a serene tone with the rendition of ‘Paridanamacchite’ by Patnam Subramaniam Iyer. The tranquil notes of Bilahari raga provided a calming prelude, unraveling the day’s tensions for the audience.
Following this, Purbayan Chatterjee captivated the audience with a bouquet of Malhaar ragas. Beginning with the pensive Ramdasi Malhaar, Chatterjee masterfully evoked the monsoon’s onset. His performance progressed through the joyful Des Malhaar, with the audience’s applause resonating through the hall. Chatterjee’s vocal prowess was also on display as he sang the Bandish, explaining the significance of the Malhaar ragas in an engaging manner, wishing for rains to cool the Mother Earth. Although it did not rain outside, the music inside drenched the eager listeners in a downpour of melody.
The evening’s highlight was the jugalbandhi of the raga Latangi in the Ragam Thanam Pallavi, a tribute to the concert’s theme of merging the mighty Ganges and the gracious Cauvery rivers. The choice of the raga Latangi was impeccable, portrayed beautifully by Chatterjee and Subramaniam. The raga, described as delicate and slender, was explored in depth during the Ragam section. The chosen pallavi, ‘Taamralochani Latangi’, meaning “Oh! the wide lotus-eyed one! Oh, the slender delicate waist one!” was captured rapturously by Subramaniam on the violin, and complemented by Chatterjee’s swara delineation on the sitar, evoking goosebumps among the audience.
The fusion feast continued with a short and crisp Thillana on the violin in Rag Kaapi, juxtaposed with the compatriot Rag Pilu on the sitar. The quick, heart-touching performances were followed by Purbayan Chatterjee’s beautiful rendition of ‘Raghupathi Raghava Rajaram’, seamlessly woven into the presentation.
The solo section of the percussionists, the Thani Avarthanam, featuring Phalgun Parupalli on mridangam and Tanay Rege on tabla, had the audience tapping their feet and hands to the rhythmic cycles of the Taal, entering a trance only to be awakened by the announcement of a short break.
The event saw the presence of distinguished guests, including ambassadors from six countries and representatives from 18 different nationalities namely India, Qatar, the UK, Australia, Hungary,Kazakhstan, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Lebanon,Tanzania, Central African Republic, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and the Philippines.
Prominent community leaders, entrepreneurs, influencers, intellectuals, media representatives, and CEOs of annual sponsors of Beats and Tunes attended the event. Despite their diverse backgrounds, the common thread was a shared love for music that transcended languages, nationalities, regions, and professions.
The concert concluded with a spontaneous standing ovation from the audience after 150 minutes of enchanting music. The presence of ambassadors and dignitaries till the end of the event spoke volumes about the programme’s quality.
The ambience was electric, with the audience highly receptive and frequently seen tapping and nodding in appreciation of the mellifluous melodies from the Indian classical string instruments.
Following the concert, attendees had the opportunity to meet with the maestros, a moment cherished by many. The event’s success was a testament to the enduring appeal of classical music and the incredible talent of the performers.
Gopal Balasubramaniam, chief coordinator of Beats and Tunes Events, expressed his satisfaction with the event’s success. “Beats and Tunes Events is committed to showcasing the richness of Indian music to the multinational community residing in Qatar, and this was one such event,” he remarked.
The ‘Ganga Cauvery’ concert not only highlighted the brilliance of Purbayan Chatterjee and Ambi Subramaniam but also reaffirmed Doha’s status as a vibrant hub for cultural exchange. The evening’s success has set the stage for future events that promise to continue the legacy of promoting classical music and fostering artisticcollaboration.
As the final notes of the jugalbandhi lingered in the air, the audience left Al Thuraya Hall with a sense of profound appreciation for the timeless beauty of Indian classical music, eagerly anticipating the next cultural offering from Beats and Tunes Events.
