One of the most attractive events on the Capital’s annual cultural calendar, Bansira Sandhya (an evening of flute recital) was conceived by flute maestro Mohini Mohan Patnaik seven years ago. Claimed to be the only event of its kind in India, it is an attempt to showcase Mohini Mohan’s large number of disciples together on stage once in a year besides presenting his new compositions. The seventh edition of the flute festival was mounted at Jayadev Bhawan last week.
Leading his troupe of 21 young disciples that included the lone female flutist Sagarika, Mohini Mohan kicked off the concert with his latest composition Rutu-Chakra (the cycle of six seasons as accepted in India). Each season was expressed through a raga of the Hindustani classical music style while talas (rhythmic patterns) of the percussionists also supplemented to the effort. While summer was based on raga Hindol, Megh Malhar was the obvious choice for the rainy season. Autumn followed through the soft raga of Desh followed by the soothing Hemant to convey the mood of the season of the dew – the Hemant Rutu. Next was the season of the cold – Sita Rutu - that was conveyed through recital of two ragas – Jayant and Bivas while the concluding segment of the composition was based on raga Basant Bahar, aptly used to convey the mood of the spring season. Hindustani tabla, Odissi mardal and the western instruments of octopad and key board were used in the concert.
Moving on, the flute exponent teamed up with noted Odissi music composer and vocalist Ramahari Das in presenting a jugalbandi. While Ramahari regaled with recital of the popular Odissi song sakhi chahnare penned by late Kabichandra Kalicharan in raganga mode, Mohini Mohan explored the same notes through flute. Curtains came down with group presentation – East and West – one of Mohini Mohan’s earlier compositions that was an attempt to create a fusion of Indian and western classical music patterns.