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Celebrating a Journey in Music
A Memorial Concert in Honour of Pandit Rajshekhar Mansur
Artists
I think life becomes more meaningful and wondrous to live when there is an insatiable passion for something. And my passion was music since my childhood. For me, music is a unicorn that I am trying to see. A beautiful, mysterious and wondrous unicorn, because I still consider myself a ‘saadhak’, a seeker. And this journey has given me the greatest happiness in life. – Pandit Rajshekhar Mansur.
A serious study of literature requires a lifetime and to be a sadhaka and successful performer of Hindustani Classical music requires another. Professor/ Pandit Rajshekhar Mansur (1942-2022) managed both with élan. He walked in the footsteps of his father-guru Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur and carved a niche for himself among the stars of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. He infused the intricate nuances of the aprachalit ragas with poignancy and soulful melody. Two lec-dems where he discusses the gharana can be viewed here- Video 1 & Video 2 & a rendition of Raag Shuddh Nat can be found here.
Pandit Rajshekhar Mansur performed extensively in innumerable music festivals. His music has been recorded for archives in Indira Gandhi Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal. In 2012, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest award for performing artists in India, and the Rajyotsava award from the Karnataka government in 2016. He is also the recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan and Pandit Sanna Bharamanna Smarak Rashtriya Puraskar by the Tansen Academy of Music, Chennai. His life and work has been archived at – https://rajshekharmansur.com/
This memorial concert for a maestro and doyen of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana, who passed away on May 1, 2022 will feature his disciples Chandrika Kamath and Mithun Chakravarty, accompanied by Ravindra Katoti and Vishwanath Nakod.
Artists
Chandrika Kamath
Dr. Chandrika Kamath has been under the tutelage of Pt Rajshekhar Mansur since 2005. Panditji has trained her in the nuances of rare aprachalit ragas which is the hallmark of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. Chandrika has performed on many prestigious platforms. As a senior and accomplished student, she has accompanied her guru in many concerts. Her life’s desire is to continue her sadhana and explore the gayaki without compromising its essence and beauty.
Chandrika is a visual artist, and a writer. She holds a PhD in English Literature from Karnatak University, Dharwad.
Mithun Chakravarty
Dr. Mithun Chakravarty had his early taleem in Hindustani Classical Vocal music under Pt. Madhukar Ganesh Patwardhan of the Gwalior Gharana in Dharwad, and later from Pt. Ravikiran, in Manipal. The turning point in his life was when he came under the tutelage of Pt. Rajshekhar Mansur in 2010 who initiated him into the wonders of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. Thereafter, his music found its wings. Mithun has performed on several prestigious platforms and is a graded artist at All India Radio, Mangalore. He has accompanied his guru at several concerts.
Mithun is an assistant professor of English and holds a Ph.D. in Partition Studies from Mangalore University.
Ravindra Katoti
Pt. Ravindra Katoti is a prominent disciple of harmonium maestro Guruvarya Pt Rambhau Bijapure. He is a graded AIR artist, an accomplished soloist and accompanist.
Vishwanath Nakod
Pt. Vishwanath Nakod learnt the art of percussion under Late Sri Veeranna Kamkar of Hubli and later under his elder brother Pt.Raghunath Nakod.
He was a Member of Karnataka Sangeeth Nritya Academy. He has accompanied musicians of high repute and travelled widely. He is a graded AIR artist.
