Passing on the baton - Page 10

Music profile: Abhijit Pohankar

Playing 'Different' Tunes

He has always been 'different' right from the word go! Being a son of the renowned classical vocalist Pandit Ajay Pohankar was inspiration enough to enter the world of Indian classical music. But the urge to do something 'different' was always there. Thus he tried the idea of playing the traditional classical ragas on the keyboard. Today nobody can match his skills of presenting Indian classic music on this western instrument.

A disciple of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Abhijit Pohankar has toured the world for his concerts and has won accolades from audience everywhere. He has also got several albums to his credit, the most famous of them all being 'Piya Bavari' (Times Music), which became an instant hit. Through his unique blend of Indian classical music with a western sound, Abhijit won over audience not only in India but even abroad.

Now, after a gap of over two years, Abhijit is ready with his next three presentations. The first of his new albums is a concept album on 'Thumri' (Music Today) where Abhijit has presented the classical Thumris in a more contemporary format. The video for the album features Abhiit and will be on channels soon. The album is set to release by first week march. A fusion album will follow this with Anup Jalota (Universal).

Abhijit has also finished a concept album on 'Kama Sutra' (Freespirit Entertainment) featuring his father Pandit Ajay Pohankar and flute maestro Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia along with Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma as special guests. This album is bound to enthrall music lovers with its unique theme and sound. This along with 'Piya Bavari 2'(Times Music) will release later this year.

My father Kishore Kumar

Singer, legend: Kishore Kumar. Click for bigger pic!
For years, his voice wrapped its magic around India, kept Indians in foot-tapping humour, empathised with their sorrow. On Monday, it will be ten years since Kishore Kumar passed into the ages. Amit Kumar, his eldest son, remembers Kishore Kumar, the man, the father, the legend. What can I say except that he was a wonderful guy -- a great father? I think it's the fortunate who get these kind of fathers. He was known to play practical jokes on people very often. He used to love telling jokes too. But with the family he used to be serious. He loved us and the rest of the family. Most of the times, he was like a child. He never planned things. He was impulsive. He would just get up and say, 'let's go out' and we would pile up in the car and go without thinking twice. He loved the mountains, nature. People think that Kishore Kumar only means jokes, comedy. But he had a very serious side to him too. Click for bigger pic!
The eccentricity, which people say was part of him, was apparent only when somebody irritated him. Like once, he had asked an interior decorator to come and see this house because he wanted some changes in it. This decorator came and started spouting his skills without letting my father get in a word. This irritated Baba and he told the decorator that he wanted a swimming pool right in the middle of the living room along with some monkeys and flowers. The decorator was stunned and ran out of the house without a second glance. There are so many such instances that volumes can be written on them. But somehow this eccentricity suited him. We are planning to make a documentary on him. It's called Zindagi ka Safar. We have already shot two or three episodes. It might be aired next month. It's like a travelogue -- The Life and Times of Kishore Kumar. You know, there was a time he was second only to Dilip Kumar in terms of ratings. Click for bigger pic!
I didn't live with him when I was a child. But I used to come to Bombay very often during my holidays. I loved spending my holidays with him. I started living with him only when I was 19. I used to stay in Calcutta and I used to miss him a lot then. I was generally here ( in Bombay) during my Diwali and summer vacations and I used to enjoy it here thoroughly. I bunked school to be here as soon as possible and would extend my vacations to well after the school started. He used to feel that he wasn't giving me enough time. That's the reason he took me to the studios. My choice of a career was definitely influenced by him. Every father thinks his son should become something. He was happy that I wanted to be a singer. I learnt by watching him on stage. It paved a way for me. I used to play a few instruments on the stage during a stage show. That's how I learnt singing. He was an institution for me and so many others too. There are so many who imitate him, but nobody like him. His style is imitated, but never reproduced. His style was unique. He told me I shouldn't copy him as it would stunt my growth as an singer and an individual. He wanted me to be on the top as he was. It was an emotional moment for him when my Love Story songs were hits. He was very happy for me and used to cry when he watched me record a song. Even after his heart attack, he came back and sang for eight more years, retaining that quality of voice. He never smoked, never drank, but loved eating, especially ice-creams and sweets. He was not only a father, he was a friend. Often we used to sit and talk -- something like a father-son talk. Baba respected his colleagues, but his confidence was natural. He was a natural all the way -- a natural actor, a natural singer, a natural comedian, a natural music director. He had never learnt classical music. Singing came to him just like that. He had the knack to learn just about anything. Kishore Kumar with his second wife, Madhubala in Chalti ka Naam Gaadi. Click for bigger pic!
Over the years, I have heard my uncles say that Baba used to adore K L Saigal and would want to sing like him. In fact, the year he died, he was supposed to sing Saigal's songs for HMV. But he realised he won't be able to do justice to the original singer and he refused at the last moment. Baba remembered each and every song of Saigal's by heart. He worked with many music directors, but he was most at ease with S D Burman. Baba adored Burmanda. Their relationship was more than one between a singer and a music director though Khemchand Prakash gave Baba his first break. He didn't have problems with the industry, he was such a beautiful person at heart. The atmosphere used to change when he walked into a recording studio. But yes, he would tell me about the songs he has recorded that day. He would sometimes imitate a singer and make all of us laugh though he never mocked anybody. Where actors were concerned, he preferred his own brother, Ashok Kumar. Dada Moni was responsible for bringing Baba to Bombay, to this film industry. Another actor Baba liked was Dilip Kumar. Baba used to always say that Dilipsaab acted with his heart. He also liked to watch Motilal, Raj Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan though Baba didn't watch too many films. Kishore Kumar with Madhubala
Both of us liked Western films and watched them regularly. He loved John Wayne films and used to go to town and see John Wayne films. He regretted we couldn't make such films here though he tried his hand at film-making too. There was this film called Shaneand was inspired to make Door ka Rahi. He didn't remake the film, just used the idea. I acted in a film with him called Door Gagan ke Chaon Mein which was again inspired by a Western film. His favourite Hollywood actor was Marlon Brando. In fact, the year Baba died, he had planned to go and meet him in Hollywood. He was a fanatic Brando fan and was disappointed if Brando's talent was wasted in any film. Baba saw Apocalypse Now at least three times and Godfather17 to 18 times. He used to bring out points about Brando's acting every time he saw the film. Unfortunately, his dream of meeting Brando remained unfulfilled. He also liked horror films. The first time Baba faced a camera was for a Dev Anand film where he acted as a mali (gardener). He was asked to abuse Devsaab. He did, in the filthiest of language, since he didn't know acting then. Finally he was told to tone it down a bit and shown how to emote. So that's how he learnt. The films Baba made were serious despite his image of being a comedian. No pranks, no songs. With Madhuji's (Kishore Kumar's second wife, Madhubala) illness, Baba couldn't act for nine years. It was a bad time for him. But that was the time he showed his real talent in making films. He always wanted to make off-beat films. The only commercial film he made was Badhti ka Naam Dadhi, a slapstick comedy far ahead of its time. Many people told him so. In fact, he told the distributors they shouldn't take the risk of releasing his films because the audience wouldn't understand them. But the distributors did, because they were Kishore Kumar films. The only films that were hits were Chalti ka Naam Gaadi and Door Gagan ke Chaon Mein. The rest didn't do well. Click for bigger pic!
He also dreamed of going back to Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh, where he was born and brought up. He had this small-town innocence in him and always told us he wanted to go back to Khandwa and become a school master. He always wanted to become one. But at Dada Moni's insistence he came to Bombay and became an actor. Bombay was no bed of roses. He had to struggle a lot. Ek din mein Kishore Kumar nahin banaa. It took him 30 long years to become what he did. I remember once he was listening to a song Aa Ab Laut Chalen and he started crying. Because it reminded him of his village. This was five months before his death. After his death, his body was taken to Khandwa for a last visit. Baba really enjoyed life. He was sent by God to make people happy and to be happy himself. As told to Sharmila Taliculam

Barnali di, thanks for a wonderful post. Playing 'Different' Tune. Thanks you.

Music profile: Abhijit Pohankar

Playing 'Different' Tunes

I did not know about Abhijit Pohankar or that Ajayji had a son.

Thanks for the articles.

Music profile: Abhijit Pohankar

Here is a Link http://www.abhijitpohankar.com/

If you asked Abhijit Pohankar the question, "What would you have been if not a musician?" he would have to say, "I would not have been at all."
Born to renowned Hindustani classical vocalist maestro Pandit Ajay Pohankar, Abhijit grew up in a world filled with music. His musical knowledge was further enriched by his grandmother Dr Susheela Pohankar, an eminent musicologist and vocalist of the Kirana and Gwalior gharanas (schools) of Indian music.

The music and melody that filled his heart and mind in the early days lay the foundation for the expert musician he is now.

Today, Abhijit is the only Indian to play Hindustani classical music on the keyboard. He also has had the good fortune of training in various styles of music. The most prominent one being the Santoor style from none other than the world-renowned Santoor maestro Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma. Abhijit plays the Santoor style on his keyboard.

His style of music combines classical Indian music with fusion / new age sounds. His successful experiment Piya Bawari is perhaps India's best fusion albums.

His successful experimentation with Indian classical music with ground-breaking albums like Piya Bawari, one of the most successful fusion concept albums produced in India, stands testimony.

Abhijit has successfully experimented with the magical voice of his father Pt Ajay Pohankar. The numerous albums and concerts around the world, have made this father-son duo one of the most sought after combination in New Age Indian music. Besides this, Abhijit also plays solo Indian classical instrumental music.

More top tracks...

Pt. Ajay Pohankar - Abhijit Pohankar - June 11, 2004

We are delighted to present a rare treat of listening to one of the most acclaimed Hindustani classical vocal artist, Pandit Ajay Pohankar. Also featuring brilliant classical keyboard player and composer Abhijit Pohankar. They will be accompanied on tabla by Aditya Kalyanpur.

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Rakesh Chaurasia

A famous name attached to this musician, young Rakesh Chaurasia is the nephew and child prodigy of flute maestro Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia. He is today amongst the front ranking disciples of his guru and shows all the promise to carry the Chaurasia legacy into the next millennium.

Just like his legendary uncle, Rakesh possesses the right balance of strength and serenity, very critical factors for an exceptional flautist. His dexterous blowing technique coupled with his training of 'swara' and 'tala' exudes adeptly in his emotions through the hollow piece of bamboo.

Rakesh has already globe trotted many times over enthralling audiences at classical and semi-classical concerts. He is also an accomplished playback musician having recorded with most of the leading stalwarts of the Indian film industry. During all this time Rakesh has never deviated from his main goal which is becoming a full-fledged classical musician.

Amongst other accolades and awards bestowed on this young artist is the first prize at the South Central Zone Cultural Center, Nagpur for the most promising young artist in 1989 and the Jadubhatta Puruskar awarded by the Salt Lake Cultural Association in 1995. Rakesh has regularly appeared in prominent festivals like the St. Xavier's in Bombay, and the Festival of India in Russia, Japan and USA, just to name a few.

Padma Vibhushan Pundit Hari Prasad Chaurasia

As a world-renowned virtuoso of the Indian bansuri, Pundit Chaurasia is known for his outstanding contributions to the popularization of Indian classical music abroad. He is a flautist extraordinaire! His consummate artistry has distinguished him as the greatest living master of the North Indian bamboo flute ("bansuri") - a legend in his own time. He has delighted and enthralled audiences around the world with his versatility and inimitable style. In Europe he is hailed as the "Chopin of the flute." He is the recipient of several major awards. In the Year 2000, the President of India bestowed upon him the title of Padma Vibhushan (living national jewel), the second highest civilian honor awarded to an Indian national. He is one of the few musicians to have been so honored and the only flautist. He is also the recipient of highly prestigious awards such as the Hafiz Ali Khan Award (2000), Kalidas Samman (1999) and the Rajiv Gandhi Ekta Award (1998) for outstanding contribution to the field of music in the national and international arenas. Other similar prestigious awards include the National Award by the Sangeet Natak Academy, Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar, and the Konarak Samman. He has produced several CDs in the promotion of world peace, love and harmony, including a double CD album with Pundit Shiv Kumar Sharma, under the title "Love, Peace and Harmony." He has also recorded a series of sixteen albums for meditation for the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram in Holland. His discography consists of over three hundred CDs and albums.

Pundit Chaurasia typically performs the classical music of India (a culture with a two thousand-year musical tradition). He plays the Indian bamboo flute (bansuri), an unpretentious, unsophisticated instrument made from a piece of hollowed out bamboo, with six finger holes. By an uncanny development of breathing and blowing skills and techniques, Pundit Chaurasia can produce an astounding four and a half octaves on this simple instrument with no frets or keys to define notes! His playing has been variously described as haunting, melodic, playful, flirtatious, mesmerizing, evocative, emotional and spiritual. He has also been described as one who plays "celestial music to temporal audiences."

Punditji is equally at home with folk and East-West integrated music as he is with his pure classical style. His cadre of alumni is drawn from all parts of the world. His extensive discography encompasses well over three hundred compact discs and albums - classical, light Hindustani and integrated music. He is the busiest and most sought-after contemporary musician in the world today. He travels extensively throughout the world, taking on the role of an ambassador for the promotion of peace, love and harmony in the world, focusing on children and youth. Pundit Chaurasia has composed several new ragas, music for several Indian films, and also concertos for East-West integrated music and jazz ensembles.

Pundit Chaurasia was born in Allahabad, India to a family of wrestlers. Young Hariprasad began training as a wrestler until one day he picked up a bansuri - the Indian bamboo flute. That single event changed the entire course of his life and the history of music. He then blossomed under the tutelage of maestros like Raja Ramji, Pundit Bholanath and finally Guru Annapoorna Devi, the daughter of the famous Ustad Allauddin Khan and the sister of Ali Akbar Khan. Pundit Chaurasia has not only brought new techniques, and his unique expressions of the nuances of Indian classical music with such unsurpassed elegance to playing the bansuri, elevating it to a new level as a concert instrument but has also experimented with fusion music in the international arena. He has collaborated with Western musicians like John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, Mickey Hart, Louis Banks, John Handy, Amareesh Leib, Bendik Hofseth, Larry Coryell, and many others. He has received wide acclaim from celebrities such as Yehudi Menuhin, George Harrison, Professor Jean-Pierre Rampal, Patrick Moutal, and others. He has performed widely throughout the world from the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Israel, Korea, Japan, Brazil, to Australia, Middle East, Mexico, South America and Europe, including performances at the Royal Prince Albert Hall in London, the Bolshoi Theater and Kremlin Conservatory, the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York, City Hall- Concert Hall in Hong Kong, at the Nobel Award Ceremonies in Oslo, Norway, and other prestigious locations. Punditji is the Artistic Director of the World Music Department at the Rotterdam Music Conservatory in the Netherlands. A very hard working man, he divides his time between his native Mumbai and Rotterdam and in between flits from place to place around the globe, performing concerts.

The mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, was so enthralled with Pundit Chaurasia's performance that he bestowed upon him an honorary citizenship of the City of Baltimore. The Mayor of the City of San Francisco proclaimed July 25, 1998, as Pundit Hari Prasad Chaurasia day in San Francisco. Pundit Chaurasia tours the U.S. on a regular basis.

Punditji's life's mission - to globally popularize the bansuri (Krishna's flute) and make its sounds and melodies as immortal as Krishna himself. His dream - to establish gurukul styles of schools throughout the world to accomplish his mission. He recently opened his official Vriandaban Gurukul & Academy in Mumbai, India, where he instructs his students and provides them free boarding and lodging and music instruction. He has a similar organization in the San Francisco Bay area for which funds are being sought for the construction of a similar gurukul.

Rakesh Chaurasia

Rakesh Chaurasia is the nephew and front-ranking disciple of Padma Vibhushan Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia. Rakesh started training with the maestro from the age of seven and has accompanied him the world over since the age of thirteen. Like his illustrious uncle, Rakesh is known for his strong phoonk and clarity of notes. Rakesh also gives solo performances and has toured many countries. He was on a jugalbandi tour recently with Rahul Sharma (son of santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma) on the santoor. Rakesh has also made a foray into ghazals and film music and is a regular featured artist in Pankaj Udhas' troupe. He tours the U. S. on a regular basis.

ICMCA rasikas had the pleasure of listening to Rakesh and Rahul Sharma in 2001.

Vijay Ghate

Vijay Ghate is considered by vocalists, instrumentalists, and by classical dancers as one of the best young tabla players of India today. Originally from Jabalpur (MP), Vijay learned his art at a very early age. He then moved to Mumbai, and for over twelve years underwent intensive training with none other than Pundit Suresh Talwalkar, one of the most creative and dedicated teachers. Even at the age of 16 Vijay became well-known for his scintillating solo performances as well as providing accompaniment to high-ranking vocal and instrumental musicians and kathak dancers. Vijay is known for clarity, dexterity, accuracy, and purity of various complicated tabla compositions.

During the past ten years or so he has accompanied almost all of who's who in Indian classical music such as Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia (flute), Sangeet Martaand Pandit Jasraj (vocal), Ustad Vilayat Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Ram Narayan (sarangi), D. K. Datar (violin), C.R. Vyas (vocal), Rajan & Sajan Misra (vocal), Kala Ramnath (violin), Shahid Parvez (sitar), Ronu Mujumdar (flute), Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (guitar), Birju Maharaj (kathak), and many others. He has accompanied many of these artists on their tours of Japan, Germany, Netherlands, France, Canada, the U.S.A., Africa, and various countries of the former Soviet Union