Morning Melodies Echo Through Shilpgram Courtyard at ‘Swar-Prabhat’ Classical Music Festival

Udaipur: The serene ambience of Shilpgram resonated with the soulful strains of dawn ragas during "Swar-Prabhat," a classical music concert dedicated to morning ragas, jointly organized by the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Udaipur, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, on Saturday morning. As the first rays of the rising sun illuminated the venue, the performances created a spiritually uplifting and musically enriching atmosphere.

Welcoming the audience, Dr. Ashwin Mahesh Dalvi, Director of the West Zone Cultural Centre, highlighted the significance of morning ragas in Indian classical music. He said these ragas inspire peace, concentration, and spiritual awakening, adding that such programmes play a vital role in preserving and promoting India's rich musical heritage.

The event commenced with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp. The inaugural performance was presented by renowned Carnatic vocalist Jayan Nair from Ahmedabad, whose soulful and expressive singing captivated the audience. He began with Raga Revagupti, followed by a Malayalam devotional composition based on Shri Narayana Vachan in Raga Gowri Manohari. He then rendered a devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Krishna in Raga Pilu and concluded with a hymn in praise of Lord Shiva in Raga Sindhu Bhairavi. He was accompanied by Joby Joy on tabla, Manav Nair on mridangam, Partha Sarkar on flute, and Ambarish Ayyar on harmonium.

The second presentation featured celebrated Sarangi maestro Bhagwati Prasad Byawat of Udaipur. His performance began with an elaborate alap, jod, and drut Teentaal composition in Raga Bilaskhani Todi, followed by a melodious rendition in Raga Bhairavi, leaving the audience deeply moved. He was accompanied by Om Kumawat on tabla and Yashodanandan Kumawat on pakhawaj.

The concluding performance was presented by Acharya Goswami Ranchhodlal Ji of Ahmedabad, a distinguished exponent of traditional Haveli Sangeet. He opened with an alap in Raga Bhairav, followed by the devotional composition Bhor Bhaye Bhav So... in Chautaal, Shyam Sang Shyam... in Raga Ramkali set to Jhaptaal, and Dekho Dekh Ri... in Raga Kalingda composed in Adi Taal. His profound blend of devotion and classical artistry created an atmosphere of spiritual bliss. He was accompanied by Arpit Mandavia on sarangi and Hiren Parekh on pakhawaj.

At the conclusion of the programme, all participating artists were felicitated. The event was compered by Durgesh Chandwani, Assistant Director (Finance & Accounts), West Zone Cultural Centre.

Among those present were Pawan Amarawat, Deputy Director (Programmes), C. L. Salvi, Superintending Engineer, Hemant Mehta, Programme Executive, along with Rakesh Mehta, Dayaram Suthar, Prabhulal Gayari, Deepak Navlakha, Siddhant Bhatnagar, B. L. Nalwaya, officials and staff of the Centre, Sanjay Bhardwaj, Programme Executive from the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, music enthusiasts, and a large gathering of listeners.

Artist Profiles

Jayan Nair received his initial training in Carnatic music under Shankar Narayana Namboodiri and later continued advanced studies with Kumbakonam N. Purushothaman. Besides vocal music, he is proficient in Gottuvadyam, harmonium, violin, and percussion instruments. An empanelled artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), he has performed at numerous prestigious music festivals in India and abroad. He currently serves as the Head of the Music Department at Nritya Kala Kendra, Ahmedabad.

Acharya Goswami Ranchhodlal Ji is a 16th-generation descendant of Jagadguru Shri Vallabhacharya and a distinguished Acharya of the Pushtimarg tradition. He heads the historic Shri Gopinathji Jyotish Peeth (Goswami Haveli) in Ahmedabad. A renowned scholar of music, literature, and culture, he has authored and published over 20,000 devotional compositions in Braj Bhasha, Sanskrit, Gujarati, and other languages. His lectures and research on religion, music, and culture have earned widespread acclaim, and he has received several prestigious cultural honours.

Bhagwati Prasad Byawat was born into a distinguished musical family and received training in the Sarangi from legendary Pandit Ram Narayan of the Kirana Gharana. He is an approved artist of All India Radio and a recipient of the National Scholarship from the Government of India. Under the Guru-Shishya Parampara programme of the West Zone Cultural Centre, he has trained numerous students and conducted several workshops. His outstanding contribution to Indian classical music has been recognized with honours including the Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Rajasthan Filmfare Award, and several other prestigious accolades.