Experience and meaning in music performance
|
Experience and meaning in music performance |
|
 |
|
|
Tarun Nayak is a talented sarod player who has brought a new dimension to the Experience and Meaning in Music Performance project through his contributions as performer, interviewee, organizer, interviewer and advisor. He is currently an integral part of the research team on the project The Reception of Performance in North Indian Classical Music. Tarun considers the performer-audience bridge to be the most vital element in music appreciation, and is developing his own approach alongside the research programme. In 1985, Tarun was accepted as a disciple by Sitar maestro Pandit Deepak Choudhury, the foremost disciple of Sitar maestro par excellence Pandit Ravi Shankar. Tarun was deeply impressed and inspired by Pandit Deepak Choudhury's genius and immense repertoire of Raga . Under his rigorous but enchanting teaching, Tarun devoted himself to Indian Classical Music. Sensing Tarun's sincerity and capability, Pandit Choudhury sent him to the renowned Sarod player Shree Partho Sarathy, another disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar, to learn the technical aspects and cultivate the traditional subtleties of the Sarod. Tarun's talim under Pandit Choudhury continued, and the gradual transmission of his Guru's vast range of knowledge blended with Tarun's own originality, aesthetic sensibility, and imaginative depth. The result was a deeply meditative style of his own. He began accompanying his Guru on the stage, as his Guru had accompanied Pandit Ravi Shankar on many occasions in India and abroad. He therefore experienced the ultimate culmination of his Gharana's Guru-Shishya tradition. Tarun sincerely believes that all individual flourishing is both based on, and an extension of, the immense treasure house of Indian Classical Music. In his stylistically individualized presentation, he therefore puts utmost emphasis on Raagdari. An important space is occupied by the Alaap and the Vilambit (slow tempo) portions in his recitals. Yet on every occasion, he has unquestionably proved his command of the Drut (fast tempo) portions as well as the intricacies of rhythm and beat. Through this, he attempts to present the visual image of the raga he renders. Tarun's career as a solo artist is broad-based. He has the firm belief that traditional Indian Raga, if properly presented, can be equally appreciated by people of all ages throughout the world. This conviction has brought him regularly in front of sophisticated listeners as well as those uninitiated in music. In March 2005, the Press Club of Kolkata, in their diamond jubilee year, invited Tarun for a solo Sarod recital which was greatly appreciated by the Press Club, as well as the press of Kolkata. In November 2007, he was invited by the Nehru Centre, the High Commission of India, UK, for a solo sarod recital. In the same year, Tarun was invited by the City University, London, to deliver a lecture-demonstration in their seminar series on 'Music in Contemporary Society'. Moreover, the Centre for Research in Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH), the University of Cambridge, invited him for a lecture-demonstration on 'The Sight of Sound'. Tarun was also invited by the Department of Music of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), the University of London , for a public seminar on 'Relationships between sonic, kinetic and visual elements in north Indian raga music'. In addition to his concert performances, Tarun regularly conducts lectures and demonstrations for international students organized by the Tagore-Gandhi Institute for Culture Studies, Kolkata. The Faculty of Visual Arts of Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, also invited him to deliver expert lectures on Indian Classical Music along with his recital. “Sarod player Tarun Nayak laid emphasis on the Raagdari …his confident, simple and direct approach brought out the essence of Raga 'Shri' very gently…The Raagmalika in the Pilu set to Teentaal was very impressive, with many Ragas emerging like sparkling gems.” “Tarun Nayak chose Raga 'Megh'. His presentation was marvellously skilful. He has the magical command to mesmerize the audience within a short span of time. The Raga expressed itself in his recital with all its characteristic features. The artist was at ease in accomplishing the tough task of rendering the abstract form of the Raga in pictorial dimension through his Alap.” “The artist's presentation of Alap-Jod in 'Marwa', followed by Vilambit and Drut Teentaal in 'Gauti' captivated the audience with a magical spell.” “He recently captivated the audience in Dubai with his amazing skill on the Sarod at a concert… Highly talented as he is, Tarun Nayak promises to keep alive the tradition of Indian classical music, adding new emotional and intellectual vitality.” "I have no hesitation that your Sarod recital has mesmerized all the present on the occasion…" President, Press Club, Kolkata "Tarun Nayak started with Raga Multani, ranging from Alaap to Jhala through the Jod portion. Gradually the pictorial form of the Raga became distinct….. The artist's command over rhythm and beat was commendable." (Translated from Bengali) Weekly Bartaman, Kolkata "The artist started the evening's programme with Raga Multani. What makes Tarun's rendition special is his soulful presentation along with pragmatic caution. From Jod and Jhala to Alaap he glides across territories with ease and natural flair." (Translated from Bengali) Ganashakti, Kolkata "A disciple of Pandit Deepak Choudhury, Tarun offered an Alaap full of melodious sweetness. His performance in Jod section was also an ample proof of rigorous practice." (Translated from Bengali) Bartaman Patrika, Kolkata "His key to success is the presentation and the elegance of his musical diction. The focal emphasis in Nayak's performance was on the alaap, which was exquisitely ornate." The Indian Express. "The audience which comprised connoisseurs of music, tasted the real satisfaction through Tarun Nayak's presentation." (Translated from Bengali) Aajkal, Kolkata "Combining Tarun's own imaginative originality the Sarod rendition was marked by a deeply meditative style of his own with creative depth." The Echo of India, Kolkata "Tarun Nayak enchanted the audience by his Sarod recital. His presentation was raga Charukauns. His expertise became prominent in his alaap and vistar portion. His originality, aesthetic excellence and depth of presentation grew profuse applause from the audience." (Translated from Bengali) Aajkal, Kolkata "Tarun … selected Charukauns for his presentation. The perfect and refined presentation of the exact notes in his recital helped create a unique visual image of the raga." (Translated from Bengali) Weekly Bartaman, Kolkata Myspace page [ www.myspace.com/tarunnayak] Follow this link to hear samples from Tarun Nayak's CD featuring Rag Purvi and Rag Gavati Tarun Nayak
|
