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| VOL. 28, NO. 21, Feb 05, 2009 (Magh 23 2065 B.S.) |
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Bringing Closer
Padma Talwalkar performance shows how Nepal and India are bounds by common music
By A CORRESPONDENT
As soon as Padma Talwalkar, India's renowned musician, performed her music at Tribhuwan Army Club, Nepalese music lovers gathered there felt a feeling of familiarity. With her amazing vocals and expertise, Talwar attracted the audience.
Organized by Indian Embassy in association with B.P. Koirala India-Nepal Foundation and Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Padma Talwalkar's music show enthralled all.
Talwalker comes from prominent musical Gharanas of India as she was taught by the Raga Gwalior, Jaipur and Kirana Tradition. One of the best parts of her music is that she also acquired skills for concert singing which she received in different Gharanas.
As a basic of classical Nepali music, which originally comes from India, the Raga is not new for Nepalese of older generation. With the introduction of modern music, it is gradually fading from the mind of Nepalese people. Whenever singers like Talwalkar come to the stage, it reminds the values and importance of classical music.
Although Nepal has now only a few singers who can perform raga well, the raga was one of the popular music among the ruling class and commoners during the Rana period. Rana rulers used to bring famous raga singers from India to perform in the palace.
Even there used to be competitions of raga among the local music groups. Even Radio Nepal used to have classical raga music program.
Since it is very rare occasion when Nepalese find opportunities to acquaint themselves with Indian classical music, all the music lover utilized the two hours long performance to remember their own past and heritage. Talwalkar started her performance at the Stage of Tribhuwan Army Club with her first performance in Raga Yaman's Bandish.
She performed her second bhajan of Bhajan Surma. The singing followed from slow soothing vocals to powerful tunes, changing from a slow soft pace to a vibrant strong one. The audience enjoyed the performance of world class classical singer.
Another interesting song was Thungri- which is about Holi festival. As the festival is approaching closer, she reminded the people about its freshness, importance and attachment of color.
Despite the over dominance of modern western music, the classical music still plays important role in making Nepali music rich. By bringing renowned classical singer from India like Talwalkar, Indian embassy has reminded the root of Nepali music and culture.
Organized on the occasion of 60th Republic Day of India, the musical performance was astounding.
Throughout her two hours long concert, Talwalkar gave quite impressive performance without any interruptions luring the attention of the audience gathered at the premises of Tribhuwan Army Club.
With cultural and religious root lying in the same things, Nepalese and Indians have very little differences in the culture and traditions. The music is one of them. Talwalkar's performances reminded Nepal and India's common cultural values.
Although political boundary divides Nepal and India, there are many common things to bring them together and the cultural and religious relations are unbreakable as they have been there since a long period of time.
