Wadali streaming marred by bad sound

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Artiste: Wadali Duo

Details: Live streaming of Gamak, at Tansen Samaroh, Gwalior 

Date: December 25

Rating: ***

One remembers becoming a sudden fan of the Wadali Brothers in the late 1990s, when the Sufi music wave was in full swing. Over the next few years, they did memorable shows at the Tata Theatre, Taj Lands End and the Ruhaniyat festival at Horniman's Circle.

Puranchand and Pyarelal Wadali complemented each other perfectly, and one always had gooseflesh on their rendition of Shah Hussain's 'Ni Saiyyon Assi', Bulleh Shah's 'Ghunghat Chak Ve Sajna' and Amir Khusro's 'Chaap Tilak'. The duo attracted packed houses, but sadly Pyarelal Ji passed away three years ago.

Now 81, Puranchand Ji is accompanied by his son Lakhwinder, and they are carrying forward the tradition in all earnest. Though one misses Pyarelal's distinct timbre, Lakhwinder acts as a perfect partner too.

On Christmas evening, one had the chance to see the Wadalis in a live online streaming of their concert on the opening day of the Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior. They were definitely in their element, but one expected better production from a prestigious festival like this. To say the sound was a disaster would be an understatement. There was too much echo in the first 15 minutes, the mic suddenly kept going off, one barely heard the harmonium and the tabla had an uncomfortable crackle and boom.

Some viewer comments are posted at the end. Even the camerawork was amateur as only two angles were used and the tabla and dholak player made it into the frame for only two minutes during the tabla solo. There were no audience shots, and the applause was very faint. One almost thought the organisers had hired a wedding reception hack.

The Wadalis began with their popular qawwali 'Jaise Meri Eid Ho Gayee'. Age doesn't seem to have affected Puranchand Ji's prowess as his nuances are still artistic and intricate. He has the style of narrating anecdotes between verses, sometimes overdoing it, but the return to melody is always delightful. The song talked about equality of religion, and the singing was impactful, as he and Lakhwinder took turns. The seguing into Bulleh Shah's 'Tere Ishq Nachaya Thaiyya Thaiyya' was perfect, and the vocal ebb and flow were natural.

Khusro's 'Main Toh Piya Se Naina Laga Aayee Re' was presented next, as it transitioned into Khusro's 'Chaap Tilak', moved on to the compulsory concert piece 'Damadam Mast Qalandar' and returned to 'Chaap Tilak'. Puranchand concluded with a marvellous rendition of a Waris Shah "Heer'. Sadly, much of the effect was destroyed by the bad sound, and even the accompanying handclaps didn't bring about the requisite energy.

We're sure the Wadalis were unaware of this lacunae while performing, though Puranchand Ji mentioned the echo in the beginning. It's something organisers need to take seriously in an era where one can reach out to the world with live streaming.