Known as a torch-bearer of a strong lineage, Sadolikar’s Savani Nat comes as a welcome opening to the concert that is typical of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. Specialising in ‘hybrid’ ragas of pentatonic structure, Savani Nat is a branch-out of the family of ‘Nats’. Basic ragas like Bhairav, Kedar, Todi etc. have been flavoured with the ‘Nat’ DNA in this gharana thereby, infusing an entirely new characteristic to these fundamental ragas.

‘Nat’ is a characteristic – it is like a strong DNA that gives a spin to a basic melody by lending a very distinctive characteristic to it. “The change-over from Savani to Nat and vice-versa comes at a very peculiar point of the development of the raga; this is where the prowess and central characteristic of the Jaipur Gharana comes into play,” says Sadolikar. Her effortlessness in the rendition of the Gharana’s complex repertoire makes this concert worth a listen many times.

She is accompanied aptly on the tabla by Vishwanath Shirodker, on the sarangi by Murad Ali Khan and on the harmonium by Tanmay Deochake.

Raag Savani Nat is based on Kalyan Thaat (scale). It is considered as a favourite melody of this Gharana. Its constitution and characteristics bear a strong resemblance to Raag Bihag, another major Raga of the Indian Classical Music system. Savani Nat follows a very convoluted path to its build up and the elevated Ma (Teevra) is sometimes used after Dha. Ragas from the Bitag family do not use Re or the second note in their ascent of the notes, however, a small twist in its usage here gives this Raga, its culminating colour. Re is used as following – Sa Re, Re Ga Ma Pa. The vadi or dominant note is Pa and the sub-dominant note or samvadi is Sa.

A sublime and romantic night melody, Savani Nat is supposed to be performed between 1 am and 2 am. Recorded at the Darbar Festival in 2012.

Musicians
Shruti Sadolikar (Jaipur-Atrauli gharana)
Vishwanath Shirodker (tabla)
Murad Ali (sarangi)
Tanmay Deochake (harmonium)
Ranjana Ghatak & Shobana Patel (tanpuras)
Raag Savani Nat, Thaat: Kalyan, Ang: Bihag, Samay: Midnight