Dhaka: The inaugural show of Darbari – the first episode of Raaga Sangeet classical nights – has set off its sail of melody with Tabla, Flute, and Santoor in three sessions at Chhayanaut Sangeet Vidyatan, Dhanmondi on 11 December 2015.

In the first session of the evening, torrents of beats by Mir Naqibul Islam, enthralled the classical enthusiasts. Naqib’s well-crafted strokes were accompanied by Shantanu on harmonium. This mejlis is organized by Avant-garde Productions, and sponsored by Opsonin.  

The magic of flute suffused this darbar in the second session, performed by Murtaza Kabir Murad, accompanied by Ratan Kumar Das on tabla. And the concluding session of the night was be wrapped up by the riverine flow of Santoor by the one of most celebrated artiste Shantanu, accompanied by the layakari expert of the time Mir Naqibul Islam on tabla.

Setting off with Shantanu’s enchanting alaap on harmonium, Naqib started with vilambit teen-taal of 16 beats cycle. For the first Naqib experimented on stage by blending Varanasi Gharana and Farukhabad Gharana. Then he moved to Kayda and Rela, composed by Bade Guruji Pandit Gyan Prakash Ghosh and Guruji Sri Ashok Paul.

Naqib’s mesmerizing rhythmic sound variation went on to drut teen-taal (Fast tempo) presenting gaat, tukda, chalan, laggi, chakradar and paran. This young promising layakari genius also recited many of bols and was also giving space to another classical maestro Shantanu who was accompanying Naqib on harmonium.

The next session bloomed with the splendid flute performance by Murtaza Kabir Murad whose hanswadhani raga, a prehistoric raaga, fascinated the audience. Starting with alaap to create a captivating aroma, Murtaza presented madhyalaya teel-taal gaat. This flute-magician was accompanied by Ratan Kumar Das on tabla who played from the starting of gaat. Murtaza went on delivering drut teen-taal gaat. The most charming was Murtaza’s dhun on dadra taal, 6-beat cycle, of pilu raaga.

The third session was appealed by the pleasant calm and touchy raga – Puriyadhanesri by Shantanu on santoor. After the alaap, Shantanu moved to Madhya teen-taal gaat, where he was accompanied by layakari maestro Mir Naqibul Islam on tabla. Their hypnotizing jugalbandi (duet) filled the hall with waves of music. After taan sargaam, the most noteworthy was their tisrajati layakari.  Shantanu pulled off the curtain with gaat drut and jhala.