A rare jugalbandi of Hindustani and Carnatic enthrals Hyderabad

Hyderabad:  Hyderabad witnessed a magnificent confluence of India’s rich classical traditions at Uttar Dakshin – 15th Season, the annual concert series organized by Surmandal in association with Vivid Arts & Entertainment, held on Saturday night at Ravindra Bharathi. The season presented an exceptional evening of classical brilliance, featuring an illustrious jugalbandi between two stalwarts of Indian classical music. Renowned Hindustani vocalist Pandit Jayateerth Mevundi, celebrated for his powerful gayaki and deep-rooted Jaipur-Atrauli lineage, shared the stage with globally acclaimed Carnatic flautist Vidwan Shashank Subramanyam, known for his virtuosity and innovative approach to the bamboo flute.

This rare collaboration brought together Hindustani vocal and Carnatic flute in a seamless musical dialogue. Pandit Jayateerth Mevundi was accompanied by Narahari on the tabla, while Vidwan Shashank Subramanyam was supported by Vidwan Patri Satish Kumar on the mridangam, creating a rich rhythmic foundation for the evening. The musical journey began with Raag Saraswati, a raga popular in Carnatic music and adopted in the Hindustani tradition. 

Pandit Jayateerth then elaborated Raag Puriya Kalyan, which was complemented by Vidwan Shashank’s interpretation of Raaga Purvi Kalyani on the flute. Thereafter, Pandit Jayateerth presented a solo rendition of Raag Jog in madhya laya, concluding with the evocative bandish “Saajan More Ghar Aaye” in drut laya (fast tempo).Vidwan Shashank’s solo featured Raaga Kumudakriya, rendering “Ardhanareshwaram,” a composition by the great Muthuswamy Dikshitar. On the eve of Maha Shivarathri, the artistes elevated the devotional mood with “Shambho Shiv Shambho,” composed by Swami Dayananda Teertha, taking the concert to a powerful crescendo. The concluding piece, “Jo Bhaje Hari Ko Sada” in Raaga Bhairavi, composed by Saint Brahmanand, transported the audience into deep devotional fervour.