The Shiv principle sounds so unique because it is very much rooted in art forms as well. Be it his "damru" whose 'anahat naad' accompanies the pilgrims during the holy trail to Kailasa, or be it his "tandava", the art connect is "shiv" eponymously.
It was hence a wonderful opportunity to get to listen to a superb santoor recital during a mesmerising Mahashivratri early evening hour. Santoor, the musical instrument, hails from Kashmir, the Himalayan region which is the abode of Lord Shiva. It has an unmistakable echo of the Sufi peace as well.
The simply superb performance by the young artist, Dr. Shantanu Gokhale, captured this very mystique essence of the unique instrument. A dentist by profession, the masterful perfomer is the son of my colleague, Dr. Rajeshree Gokhale. Ma'am would often post pieces of her son's performances on her status. It was a marvellous opportunity to get to listen to his live performance.
Despite Shiv Kumar Sharma, whose disciple the young artist is, according a wide recognition to this unique instrument, not much of the exact grammar of its actual performance is widely known. It hardly seemed to matter though. So fluidly flowed the lilting notes that the whole auditorium was absolutely mesmerised.
The entire performance was an excellent confluence of melody and rhythm. Be it the solo rendition of Raag Madhuvanti or the following fabulous jugalbandi pieces, Shantanuji made the instrument 'speak'. Conveying feelings without words, emoting merely through the cascading notes is indeed tough. Yet the gentle feel of the sthayi bhav of the raag reached everyone present most sensitively.
Santoor is such a difficult instrument to play, beginning with the 'ardha padmasana baithak' requisite for the recital, and yet Shantanuji's rendition was so wonderfully effortless. It reminded me of the dulcimer Coleridge refers to in his hauntingly lyrical 'Kubla Khan'.
The cadence, that Shantanuji created melodiously, literally glided in to the listeners' ears, all along making their souls feel the soft murmur of the clear streams gently singing to the sublime winds of the mesmeric Kashmir valley.
To come back to the "Shiv" principle, this santoor performance had more the subtle 'lasya' with its unique beauty, enchantment, and grace. Given such masterful fluidity of his performance, we are sure to very soon listen to Shantanuji during the Sawai Gandharva Mahostav, for instance. Here is wishing the young artist a great future which would prove yet again that art knows no bounds.
Pratima@"Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed hearts open", says María von Trapp of 'The Sound of Music' fame. Indeed! Coz music makes mood!
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