Milapfest

Music for the Mind & Soul: March 2021

[embed]https://youtu.be/Q9r8KdnJmOc[/embed] A brand new Jugalbandi performance; featuring Flute J.A.Jayant and acclaimed Sarod player Debasmita Bhattacharya, performing Raag ‘Sarasangi’ / ‘Nat Bhairav’. For this brand new collaboration, they will be accompanied by Sai Giridhar on the Mridangam and the rhythmic M.T. Aditya on the Tabla. This is a live studio recording from 'Offbeat Music Ventures' in Chennai. Flute exponent Jayant is a young musician of national and international repute. He was naturally drawn into early training on bamboo flute in the Indian classical music tradition of guru-shishya parampara , since age five, from his grandfather and guru, late Kalaimamani Flute T. S. Sankaran, a Sangeeth Natak Academy awardee himself and a prime disciple of the legendary Flute Mali. Flute Jayanth gave his maiden solo concert at the age of seven. Flute J.A.Jayant’s over 1600 solo concerts in India and all over the world, have consistently won him lasting appreciation from one and all, including senior musicians, co-artistes, connoisseurs and rasikas (or, music lovers). His unique playing virtuosity and lyrical expressivity have inspired many flautists of the current generation and the younger crop to imbibe his style. He is the first carnatic flautist to unveil 106 cms long Double Bass Bansuri flutes in his performances casting a meditative spell on the listeners and also playing on 15 cms long piccolo flutes. Flute Jayanth has been invited to perform regularly at pre-eminent sabhas and venues such as the Madras Music Academy, Swathi Sangeethothsavam and Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival to name a few. Some of these performance have included jugalbandhi’s with renowned Hindustani musicians like Flute virtuoso Pt. Ronu Majumdar, Shehnai Pt. Ashwani Shankar; Veena Rajhesh Vaidhya, Mandolin U. Rajesh, and others. --------- Born into a musically rich environment in West Bengal, Debasmita is one of India’s finest young Sarod players, representing the rich musical tradition of the Senia Shahjahanpur Gharana. Debasmita's musical journey began at the tender age of 4. She first started learning from her father and guru, Sarod maestro Pandit Debasish Bhattacharya. Consequently, she entered into the tutelage and guidance of the late Sarod virtuoso, legendary Padma Bhushan Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta of the Senia Shahjahanpur Gharana. Under the strict, yet affectionate guidance of her guru, Debasmita slowly bloomed into a very able disciple. This has led to her development and growth as a promising and competent performer of the young generation. Along her journey, Debasmita has received numerous accolades and awards as an acknowledgement of her enthusiasm and dedication to the art and has featured at some of the most prestigious music festivals in India and abroad. Debasmita is currently empanelled with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). She has also been associated with Spicmacay since 2014. While focusing on sarod as her main subject, Debasmita has been largely influenced by her mother, Sangita Bhattacharya. Her inspiration is drawn from both sarod and vocal training. Debasmita still remains, to this day, an outstanding vocalist with a God gifted voice that has been acknowledged by the maestros of India. This rich background of music in her home, and her associations over time have all played a vital role in Debasmita’s musical journey. In this concert they are accompanied by the Mridangam Genius Sai Giridhar and the rhythmic M.T. Aditya on the Tabla.