CM Los Angeles’s Kalanjali second event organized at the Chinmaya Rameshwaram ashram in Tustin California featured the blissful, vibrant, three-hour Hindustani vocal concert of Ramesh Narayan on September 29, 2012 that left the audience wanting more.
Over 250 attendees were treated to music that was reminiscent of Narayan’s guru, Pandit Jasraj of the Mewati Gharana. Narayan presented spiritual elements, open throated vocalizations, enthralling sargams, and pure melody. He began with an invocation to Lord Ganesha, followed by some bandish pieces. He was ably supported by local artists—Abhiman Kaushal on tabla and Gopal Marathe on harmonium. Toward the end of the show, he asked for a volunteer from the audience to randomly write a few lines, which he set to music and performed immediately, much to the enjoyment of the audience. He concluded with his signature rendition of Nirvana Shatkam.
Narayan returned to CM LA on October 1 and 2 to teach an open bhajan class. On the first day, 30 rasikas, including members of CM LA’s Chinmaya Swaranjali, gathered for this after the evening temple puja and abhishekam, during which Narayan sang the Shiva Stuti. The next day, over 50 people gathered and were thrilled to learn bhajans in Raga Malhar, Bhagyashri, Bhimpalas, and Charukeshi. Narayan shared his knowledge freely, with great inspiration. He later sang for another 40 minutes with Hemant Ekbote on tabla and Babu Parameshwaran on harmonium. The perfect baithak style setting enchanted all the attending music lovers.
|
