Event Details

Featuring Ulhas Kashalkar, Suresh Talwalkar & Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande Moderator: Mukund Marathe

An NCPA Presentation

Jod-raga is an interesting concept in Hindustani (north Indian) music, which brings together two well-defined ragas with distinct personalities. To perform a jod-raga, it is essential to understand the point of transition from one raga to the other, and the challenge lies in bringing them together in an artistic manner. Some examples of jod-ragas are Lalit Bhatiyar, Nat Bihag, Bhairav Bahar, Basant Kedar, Hindol Bahar, Puriya Kalyan and others. The Jaipur-Atrauli gharana is well known for presenting such ragas.

Ulhas Kashalkar has had the privilege of training with many reputed vocalists, including his father N. D. Kashalkar, and Ram Marathe and Gajananrao Joshi. Endowed with a mellifluous voice and command over a wide repertoire of wellknown and rare ragas, his music reflects a harmonious blend of Gwalior, Agra and Jaipur traditions. He is regarded as a top-ranking performer and a senior guru, mentoring several promising young artistes.

Initially trained by Narayanrao Datar, Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande was groomed in the Jaipur-Atrauli style by her mother, Manik Bhide, and Ratnakar Pai, a notable exponent and guru in this tradition. She is known for her effortless exposition of complex (achhop) ragas with pleasing tonal quality and emotiveness.

Born in the keertankar family of Dholebua and initially trained by his father, Dattatrey Talwalkar, tabla maestro Suresh Talwalkar had the opportunity of learning with several eminent performers including Pandharinath Nageshkar, Vinayakrao Ghangrekar, Gajananrao Joshi and Nivruttibuva Sarnaik. He also studied the theory of rhythms in Carnatic music with Ramnad Ishvaran.

Son of Ram Marathe, an eminent personality from the field of music and Marathi theatre, Mukund Marathe’s versatility spans music and other fields such as astronomy and space sciences. An awardee of the Natasamrat Balgandharva Puraskar, he teaches vocal music and the tabla.

The evening will start off with a 45-minute discussion on jod-ragas, featuring Kashalkar, Talwalkar and Dr. Bhide Deshpande. The session will be moderated by Marathe.

This will be followed by a performance of jod-ragas by Dr. Bhide Deshpande from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. The evening will conclude with Kashalkar’s performance of select jod-ragas accompanied by Talwalkar on the tabla.

Box Office: 26th October for Members & 29th October for Public.