June 15 2017 Indian Newslink Digital Edition

18
Artlink-Ratna Venkat
JUNE 15, 2017
Mohana Veena lifts the Divinity of Arts
Ratna Venkat
ratna@indiannewslink.co.nz
Long rehearsals are currently
the norm for artistes of the
much-awaited live music
and dance concert, ‘Sargam
Fusion with Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt,’
scheduled to take place on Friday,
July 7 at Dorothy Winstone Centre,
Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, 16
Howe Street in Newton, Auckland.
Organised and presented by Old
Fort Bar & Eatery, this two-and-half
hour Programme (with an interval of
15 minutes) will commence at 730
pm.
Band with a Difference
‘Sargam Fusion,’ the band known
to cross horizons and create new
benchmarks in the contemporary
music and dance world, has promised
its fans that, like last year, it will
deliver something new this year.
As reported in our June 1, 2017
issue, following are the artistes.
Piano – Ahi Karunaharan
A classically trained pianist and cellist,
Ahi plays both Indian and Western
Classical music and has collaborated
with organisers of various International
Arts Festivals and diverse local
communities. He has also performed
solo in London, Malaysia and Canada.
Apart from music, Ahi is a trained
actor, writer and director.
Vocal – Ashish Ramakrishnan
A winner of the popular Zee TV
Saregama & Close-up Antakshari,
Ashish has performed at over 500
concerts across the world. He has
sung and composed jingles for radio
stations in the UK, India and New
Zealand, and has several voiceovers
to his credit. Ashish has performed
with veterans of Indian music such
as Ustad Fazal Qureshi and Ustad
Dilshad Khan.
Vocal – Seetha Jandhyala
A prominent Hindustani vocalist,
Seetha began her early training in
Carnatic vocal tradition from her
mother Jandhyala Rajyalakshmi and
Indian Idol finalist for Auckland music concert
Venkat Raman
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
One of the most prolific
singers of the South Indian
film industry rising as a
sensation in Hindi cinema
will be the star attraction at a music
concert in Auckland next month.
PVNS Rohit (Rohit Paritala,
also known as Naga), who battled
hard to get to the Finals of India’s
Idol 2017 (Ninth Edition) less than
three months ago, will perform at
the annual programme of the SB
(Sangeetha Bharathi) Music Magic
Group on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at
Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland
Girls Grammar School.
The Artistes
The Programme, which will commence
at 530 pm will have several
local artistes including Vishnu Priya
Mallela, Ravi Muthumanikkam,
Sreesutha Nampally, Praveen Ravela,
Archana Ravi, NP Srinivas Rao and
Prathyusha Vikrant.
They will be supported by
Madan Kalyan and Cloyd D’Mello
(Keyboards), Anthony Yempee, Diya
Anthony (Lead Guitars), Vishnu
Sreekumar (Bass Guitar), Joseph
File Photo of the Performing Artistes of Sargam Fusion with Rakesh Chaurasia in June 2016
later from Gowri Gokul. Her aunt,
Jagarlapudi Shobha is a well-trained
Hindustani singer in Mumbai and has
been a strong influence in sparking
Seetha’s interest in Hindustani vocal
tradition. She continues to hone her
skills in Hindustani singing from her
guru over Skype.
Tabla – Basant Madhur
Principal and Director of ‘Sargam
School of Indian Music,’ Basant is a
prominent Tabla player in New Zealand’s
music community and is known
for his modesty and sense of humour.
Born and raised in a musically oriented
family, he has accompanied renowned
Indian Classical stalwarts such as
Rakesh Chaurasia, Pt Ronu Majumdar,
Pt Vidya Bhushan and Pt Vishwa Mohan
Bhatt.
Tabla – Akhilesh Madhur
Disciple and nephew of Basant,
Akhilesh has over the years, inspired
many people with his impressive
performances on the Tabla. He is a
multi-faceted concert accompanist,
including as a solo Tabla player and as a
spirited part of Jugalbandi.
Alexander (Octopad), Joscel Alexander
(Acoustic Drums), Navneel
Prasad (Tabla) and Balu Mallela
(Mridangam).
Rohit’s wide repertoire, well
matched by our singers and instrumentalists,
will enable the Concert
to transit between Telugu, Tamil and
Hindi film music.
Idol idolises legend
As a son of the Telugu soil (Hyderabad,
Telangana), it was natural
for Rohit to consider legendary
singer S P Balasubrahmanyam
(known as the ‘Living Robot’ with
more than 50,000 songs in at least 21
languages to his credit) as his Idol.
“Singing is my passion and I hope
to achieve my goal and become
a singer like SP. Otherwise, there
would no meaning for my life,” the
25-years-old singer said.
Commencing his career in
music when he was five years old,
Rohit received formal training and
proficiency in Classical Music,
which helped him at the India’s Idol
auditions, knockout, quarter-finals,
semifinals and final rounds.
The Idol Season and episodes
brought him to the attention of
famous music personalities including
Veena, Mandolin and Ghatam –
Saketh Vishnubhotla
Trained in Keyboard and classical
Veena, Saketh presented his Veena
Arangetram in February this year. He is
a self-taught performer on the Mandolin,
Guitar, African Udu Drum, Flute and
Ghatam and has participated in many
classical and light music programmes
in Auckland. Saketh has also lent his
musical talents to numerous Dance
Arangetrams.
Fiddle – Krissy Jackson
Composer, performer, teacher and
choral ‘Musical Director,’ Krissy has
played with many Irish/Celtic bands
including Reel Men and Shenaniganz
and has performed with Craig Smith at
the ‘Taranaki For Christchurch’ concert.
Besides classical, Krissy enjoys playing
Celtic, Bluegrass, NZ Folk, Jazz, Gyspy
as well as country. She loves to jam with
singer-songwriters and cover bands.
Guitar – Rob Mita
A popular musician in New Zealand,
Rob has been a regular guitar player at
several music festivals. He plays the lead
(Acoustic and Electric) as well as Bass
SP, Anu Mallik and Sonu
Nigam, the last of who
became his mentor to guide
him through the competition.
Popularity at home
Even before India’s Idol 9
Contest, Rohit had established
his prowess as a performer in
‘Padutha Theeyaga,’ a popular
reality show conducted by
SP on ETV Channel.
His singing style, good
execution of various Ragas
and ability to switch between
high and low notes quickly
made him a singing sensation
with a huge fan following
on Facebook and YouTube.
His active participation in the
Social Media keeps him in
touch with friends and fans
across the world.
Rohit has a unique desire
that he wants to sing in every
single native language of
India.
He has well and truly
discovered and established
himself as a force to reckon
with from the stage of Indian
Idol. He was one of the two
runners up in the show and
has been touring all around
the world since then, with
performances in Dubai and
all over the United states
with several singers of fame
including KS Chitra.
What: Priya Ragam with PVNS Rohit and others
Who: SB Music Magic Group
When: Saturday, July 8 at 530 pm
Where: Dorothy Winstone Centre
Auckland Girls Grammar School
Howe Street, Auckland
Tickets: Adults ($15) Child/Senior $10
Contact: Govardhan Mallela on 09-6245922 or 021-1455708
guitar. Specialising in Jazz and Western
music, Rob has participated in many
international events and has contributed
to numerous albums across the globe.
Percussion – Ravi Nyayapati
Ravi is an active figure in the
Auckland music scene, mainly
involving stage management and
anchoring concerts over the last few
years. A multi-skilled percussionist,
he has resumed his interest in playing
Dholak and side rhythm for concerts,
giving ‘completeness’ to live music arrangements.
Ravi will be seen playing
as many as six rhythmic instruments at
the forthcoming programme.
Drums – Swap Gomez
Son of prolific Bengali singer
Leonard Gomez, Swap is best known
for his drumming work in the NZ music
industry, working with artists such as
Nick Hohepa, Bailey Wiley and The
Exponents. He has performed widely
across Europe and Asia and has worked
with international artists namely Oli
Goz, DJ Disk, Vernon Reid (Living
Color), Uli Jon Roth (The Scorpions)
and Karsh Kale.
Dance – Ratna Venkat
An award-winning Indian Classical
and Fusion Dancer, Ratna is known
for her unique dance presentations and
passion for excellence on stage. She
has performed in numerous local and
international events including ‘Tribute
to Sir Edmund Hillary,’ ‘Asia-Pacific
Culture Day,’ ‘Mother Teresa Interfaith
Committee,’ ‘Diwali’ at New Zealand
Parliament and at the 103rd National
Day of the Republic of China Celebrations.
Being a dancer, Ratna will be a
visual treat at the forthcoming concert.
She is Assistant Editor of Indian
Newslink.
Tickets
Tickets, priced at $60, $40 and
$25 are available at Old Fort Bar &
Eatery and Sargam School of Indian
Music (419 Blockhouse Bay Road,
Blockhouse Bay, Auckland).
Readers are encouraged to book
early to get the best seats.
What:
“Sargam Fusion with Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt”
An evening of Indian Classical and Fusion Music
When:
Friday, July 7 at 730 pm
Who:
Old Fort Bar & Eatery
Where:
Dorothy Winstone Centre,
Auckland Girls’ Grammar School,
16 Howe Street, Newton, Auckland.
Tickets: VIP – $60, ‘A’ Reserve – $40, ‘B’ Reserve – $25
Contact: Basant Madhur on 021-0357954;
Email: basant_madhur@ihug.co.nz