This performance of Raag Kaunsi Kanada is the concluding recital of Shruti Sadolikar’s performance at the Darbar festival 2012. This is a rare raga ‘hybrid’ from the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, presented with an apt combination of intellect and aesthetics by Sadolikar. This gharana specializes in combining two ragas into one with seamless, smooth transitional points and in this recital, she brings about the magic of this smoothness in her deep, gorgeous voice.

Vishwanath Shirodker gives a pleasant support on the tabla, infusing solos only where needed and extending improvisations only when required. Murad Ali Khan plays a soul-stirring strain on his sarangi along with Tanmay Deochake who lends an expert hand with swift improvisation of swaras.

Sadolikar establishes the raga with reposeful notes, plumbing the lower octave with her sonorous voice. She subtly tailors the ‘Kanada’ ang with Malkauns with elegance, casting a spell every time in the middle of octave and descent from the upper octave. The slower composition is set to a rhythmic cycle of 16-beats where she expands the raga lavishly with akaar and bol-banav progressions. The chota khayal in drut Teental is rendered with bountiful embellishments.

Raag Kaunsi Kanada is a beautiful blend of Darbari Kanada and Malkauns. The dominant or vadi swar is Ma and the sub-dominant note or samvadi is Sa. Ga, Dha and Ni are komal (flat) In both the ragas but the differentiation of the two ragas is done by the subtle execution of both these flat notes by the singer. It Is to be done in a way so that Darbari Kanada and Malkauns are blended without the slightest crease or demarcation on the terrain. The notes Re and Pa also used in executing the smooth transition from Malkauns to Kanada.

Musicians
Shruti Sadolikar (Jaipur-Atrauli gharana)
Vishwanath Shirodker (tabla)
Murad Ali (sarangi)
Tanmay Deochake (harmonium)
Ranjana Ghatak & Shobana Patel (tanpuras)
Raag Kaunsi Kanada, Thaat: Asavari, Samay: 2 am to 3 am