Arati Ankalikar Thrills at Indian Music Society’s Inaugural 2013 Concert Series
Ararti Ankalikar’s mian ki malhar composition, originally rendered for Tansen, mesmerized the audience and literally caused the clouds to thunders and bring showers over St. Thomas University’s Jones Hall.
Classical music vocalist Arati Ankalikar (center) was accompanied by Pandit Shantilal Shah on the tabla, Varsha Halbe on the tanpura, Aparna Shah on vocals and Milind Kulkarni on the harmonium. In the second half, Sruti Sample was the accompanist on the tanpura.
By Jyoti Kulkarni
HOUSTON: When classical singer Tansen sang raag Mian ki Malhar at King Akbar’s court, legend has it that clouds would thunder and showers would begin sprinkling over the city of Delhi.
Modern-day classical music vocalist Arati Ankalikar accomplished the same result at her performance before a packed hall on Sunday, March 31 at St. Thomas University’s Jones Hall.
Houston is suffering from drought to such an extent that we need all the showers we can get. As one source of divine inspiration, the city should have Ankalikar permanently on its staff to sing Mian ki Malhar every afternoon!
Arati Ankalikar was the featured performer for India Music Society of Houston’s (IMSH) inaugural concert of its 2013 season.
IMSH was established in 1992 by a group of Hindustani classical music lovers that is bringing world class classical performing arts to Houston.
“I am pleased to inform you that this is the 178th classical concert we have brought to Houston as we step into our 21st year,” said IMSH’s Govind Shetty, who is a tabla artist in his own right. Over the last 21 years, IMSH has served as the host to giants of the arts like Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhat, Smt. Ashwini Bhide, Ustad Rashid Khan, as well as provide a platform to young, upcoming rising stars, who have gone on to make a name on the classical music horizon.
At the Sunday concert, Ankalikar thrilled the audience with her delightful stage presence that was full of zestful energy.
Ankalikar began her concert with a beautiful rendition in raag Bhimpalasi. Her presentation of raagmala, where in three different taals, ek taal, teen taal and jhap taal were combined on one composition, brought thunerous claps from the audience. Ankalikar also sang compositions in Hori and Chaiti, and ended the concert with Durga and Bhairavi.
What made the concert extra special were the talents of accompanists Pandit Shantilal Shah on the tabla and wife Aparna Shah as a vocalist, and Milind Kulkarni on the harmonium. Varsha Halbe and Sruti Sample were the tanpura accompanists.
Ankalikar started her training with Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni of the Agra Gwalior gharana. Thereafter, she was under the tutelage of Kishori Amonkar.
Indian Music Society’s next concert takes place on April 28 at 10am, featuring morning raagas by Anand Bhate.
For more information, visit imshouston.org or call 713-789- 4653.