COMMUNITY


Dhrishti to present Pandit Jasraj in charity concert

Rolling Meadows, IL: Classical music lovers of Chicago land and nearby states are in for a treat as legendary maestro of the Mewati Gharana Pandit Jasraj is scheduled to perform at the classy Meadows Club grand ballroom on Sunday, September 28, at 6.45 p.m.
The concert is being organized by Dhrishti in association with Chinmaya Mission with the proceeds going to benefit the Mission and its upcoming projects.
Pandit Jasraj will be accompanied by Tripti Mukherejee on vocal support, Aditya Bannerjee and Nitin Mitta on the tablas and Humayun Khan on the harmonium.
The contemporary doyen of North Indian vocals, Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj needs little introduction. In honor of this living legend, awards and titles have not only been created and bestowed upon him but have also been instituted in his name, thus gaining more in prestige.
The University of Toronto has instituted a scholarship in his name for young Canadians wishing to train in music. Also the Distin-guished Visitor Award was created specially in honor of Panditji by the same university in 1999 for the first time since its inception 200 years ago.
Born in a family that has given to Indian classical music four generations of outstanding musicians, the Mewati maestro had his initial grooming in music under his father, late Pandit Motiramji. He then underwent intensive tutelage under his elder brother and guru, the late Pandit Maniramji.
Endowed with a rich, soulful and sonorous voice which traverses effortlessly over all three and a half octaves, Panditji’s vocalizing is characterized by a harmonious blend of classic and opulent elements, projecting traditional music as an intense spiritual expression, at once chaste and densely colored. This gives his music a very sublime emotional quality, touching the soul of the listener.
Known for performances which take his listeners in a trance, Panditji is set to transcend new heights with his array of bandishes and bhajans which have entranced audiences worldwide.