Not that someone of the stature of Kishori Amonkar needs an introduction, but for those
removed from the world of Hindustani Classical music, Kishoritai, as she is
respectfully known in the industry, was a leading Indian classical vocalist,
belonging to the Jaipur gharana. Originally from Goa, Kishoritai was a
performer of the classical genre khyal and the light classical genres thumri
and bhajan. She trained under her mother, classical singer Mogubai Kurdikar,
but experimented with a variety of vocal styles in her career and, in the
process, has created many compositions for a number of ragas. Last year, just
about a week before she could turn 86, Kishoritai passed away at her residence
in Mumbai on April 3, 2017.
In a bid to celebrate Kishoritai’s contribution to Hindustani
Classical music and to pay tribute to the legend, Kala Academy is hosting the
first edition of what could be an annual affair – Gaansaraswati Kishoritai
Amonkar Sangeet Mahotsav on April 28 and 29, 2018 at the Dinanath Mangeshkar
Kala Mandir, Kala Academy Complex, Panjim. This will be the second festival
organised in her commemoration, the first one being an annual festival titled
‘Gaansaraswati Mahotsav’ that was held in Pune earlier this year.
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The two-day music festival will have various artistes, including
Kishoritai’s disciples, perform in front of the Goan audience. On the inaugural
day, Tejashree Amonkar, granddaughter of Kishoritai, will present a vocal
recital followed by a santoor concert by Pt Satish Vyas. The session will
conclude with a vocal concert by Vidushi Shruti Sadolikar Katkar. The second
day will have Kishoritai’s senior disciple, Nandini Bedekar, present her vocal
concert in the morning, followed by Vidushi Arati Ankalikar Tikekar’s vocal
rendition. The concluding session on the final day will see the staff members
of Kala Academy’s Faculty of Indian Music present their vocal concert, followed
by a performance by Kishoritai’s disciple, Manjiri Asnare Kelkar. The finale
performance will be presented by renowned vocalist, Pt Ulhas Kashalkar, who
will conclude the festival.
Kishoritai’s
reputation for shying away from interviews has lent a mysterious hue to her
personality. But in what could be seen as an opportunity to know her well, a
documentary on Kishoritai, produced by Mumbai Doordarshan, will be screened
before the inaugural function, for those who have always wanted to know her
from a closer perspective. Also, before the festival programme, there will be a
curtain raiser event on April 28 at the Black Box under the caption ‘Rarely
Heard Kishori Amonkar’ – a programme with commentary on rare recordings of
Kishoritai by her senior most disciple, Dr Arun Dravid. The programme will
consist of rare recordings and music of Kishoritai from 1962 to 1985 – spanning
over 25 years. Dr Dravid will also make apt commentary on each of the
recordings with critical appreciation. The festival will also see a
photographic exhibition featuring some of the rarest of photographs of
Kishoritai, conceptualised and presented by her son, Bibhas Amonkar, on both
the days of the festival.
