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BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar/ Ghana Garaje Genre; Hindustani vocal Details:  Experimental Theatre, July 11 Rating : **** -- Suhas Vyas/ Morning Ragas Genre: Hindustani vocal DetaIls : Ravindra Natya Mandir, July 12 Rating : *** 1/2 The weekend provided a double treat for followers of Hindustani classical vocal music. More than anything, they got to hear rare compositions, rather than the fare one often hears at such gatherings. On Saturday, July 11 evening, vocalist Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar excelled at the Ghana Garaje programme of monsoon melodies organised by the National Centre for the Performing Arts at the Experimental Theatre. Then, in a new series initiated by Grace Foundation and curated by Pancham Nishad, Suhas Vyas presented a rare bouquet of morning ragas at the Ravindra Natya Mandir on Sunday, July 12. Ankalikar began with the popular Miyan Ki Malhar. While that didn't seem like an uncommon choice, what was impressive was it it lasted a good 70 mi...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Deep Purple / Splat ! Genre : Hard rock Label : EarMusic Rating : **** Thirty seconds into the first song, and for the nth time, you're amazed by the sheer power of Ian Paice's drumming. 'Arrogant Man' begins with him and guitarist Simon McBride, before vocalist Ian Gillan sings, "Well, Billy couldn't read or write, he never read a book in his life, he looked like shit, face didn't fit, he only ever went out at night". 'Arrogant Man' is the perfect opener to rock legends Deep Purple's 24th studio album ' Splat ! '. Like the rest of the 13-track record, it's loaded with energy, some dazzling solos, tight rhythms and crisp vocals. Keyboardist Don Airey and bassist Roger Glover complete the line-up, and for the sixth time, the renowned Bob Ezrin joins them as producer. To be sure, Splat ! may not contain anthems of the 'Smoke On The Water', 'Highway Star' and 'Black Night' calibre. Gilla...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Faheem Abdullah, Arslan Nizami, Qaiser Nizami/ Hoor Language & genre: Urdu/ Kashmiri, folk-fusion  Label: Universal/ Coke Studio Bharat Rating: *** The latest Coke Studio Bharat release 'Hoor' draws from Afsana Goyi, the Kashmiri art of storytelling. Singers Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami tell the story of Sheikh and Hoor, with Qaiser Nizami joining towards the end. The song begins with a Kashmiri line, before getting into Urdu words penned by Qaiser and Syed Mehdi Razvi. It's a good start, with a strong hook, but somewhere one feels it begins to get mechanical. The thematic changes seem forced, but to compensate, there are some wonderful solos on guitar and sarangi. The Kashmiri lines at the end keep one hunming along. 'Hoor' has its moments, but tries to pack in too many things together. But that's a typical Coke Studio Bharat trait, isn't it? Sharayu Date/ Badra  Language & genre: Hindi, ballad Label: Self-released  Rating...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Parikrama/ Inside My Skin  Language & genre: English, hard rock Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 Delhi rock band Parikrama has completed 35 years on the scene. To mark the occasion, they had a show at Delhi's Piano Man and also released their new single 'Inside My Skin'. The song is very much in the hard rock mould, with vocalist Nitin Malik writing the lyrics. Guitarists Saurabh Chaudhury and Abhishek Mittal, keyboardist Subir Malik, bassist Gaurav Balani and drummer Srijan Mahajan contribute in good measure, with the middle guitar solo standing out. The song has lines like, "Crash into me, and make me blind, make me believe I close my eyes". It has that live gig energy for sure. Sharat Chandra Srivastava/ Bandhutva (album) Language & genre: Instrumental, fusion Label: Krintan Records Rating: *** 1/2 After playing violin with Parikrama, Sharat Chandra Srivastava has been associated with the band Mrigya besides solo projects. He now...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Raja Miya/ Udayswar@Prithvi Genre : Hindustani classical vocal Details : Prithvi Theatre, June 21 Rating : ***** ( PIc taken by blogger. (l to r) Shashi Vyas of Pancham Nishad, Mukundraj Deo, Raja Miya, his son Naved and Sudhir Nayak) Around 7.45 a.m., what could be as satisfying for a Hindustani classical aficionado as a nom-tom alaap sung in pure Agra gharana style? The fact that the venue didn't use microphones added to the aura, as senior vocalist Raja Miya began the morning raga Ramkali. Over the next 90 minutes, the magic was ceaseless. The Prithvi Theatre was packed for the June session of Udayswar, organised by Pancham Nishad. And the moment he concluded with a gem in Bhairavi, everyone rose in spontaneous and rhythmic applause. Ustad Ghulam Husnain Khan, popularly known as Raja Miya, may be described as an underrated genius. But as he proved on Sunday morning, every minute of his performance exuded perfection. The son of Ustad Anwar Hussain Khan, he hon...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Dr Joe and The Patience/ Live in Khandala  Genre : Jazz Musicians : Joe Alvares, Tea, Clement Rooney, Clifton Rodricks, Jarryd Rodrigues, Zidaan Details : Abbey 301, Khandala, June 13 Rating : **** On Saturday, June 13, Abbey 301 hosted its 10th show. Dr Joe and The Patience, led by veteran singer Joe Alvares, presented a set of jazz standards and retro tunes. The venue is actually a restored church in Khandala, and therefore heading there was a nice picnic, as Salsa Fortynine drove us down the distance. In the group were ace photographer Ashok Salian and journalist Steve Fernandes. It's a beautiful site in the hills, though the weather that day wasn't too different from a breezier Mumbai. The chapel, named after the area's postal code, has been held by the Kotak family since 1973. Its recent restoration was led by Kamini Kotak and architect Adil Dholakia of Five Cross Architects. Safala Shroff is the chairperson of the steering committee, with Pushan Kri...