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Free Lecture Demonstration of Hindustani Vocal Music by

Veena Sahasrabuddhe

3 PM, Saturday, August 25

Venue

Baumgaertner Auditorium
Brady Education Center
University of St. Thomas, St. Paul

Veena Sahasrabuddhe

Khayal and its presentation: A Summary

  • The aim of the lecture-demonstration is to familiarize listeners with the features that make khayal style of classical singing so popular.
  • The lec-dem begins with a review of the ingredients – swara, laya, tala, raga and the instruments – tanpura, tabla and harmonium.
  • After that the structure of a “full raga” presentation, which often lasts over one hour, is examined.  What are the ways an artist can hold the listener’s interest for so long?
  • The “songs” used in khayal - bandish compositions – are important. The bandish form, its characteristics, and its role in elaborating a raga will be discussed. 
  • Different forms of improvisation such as alaap, bol-alaap, taan, bol-taan, and milestones in the presentation such as reaching the taar shadja, are recognized.
  • The talk is peppered with frequent demonstrations where listeners can experience first hand the features being described in words.

About the Artiste:

Veena Sahasrabuddhe comes from a family of musicians and composers. Her father, late Pandit Shankar Shripad Bodas, was a disciple of Pandit Vishnu Digambar Palsukar. Young Veena started her musical education with Kathak dance. She was initiated into Khayal singing by her father and her brother, late Pandit Kashinath Shankar Bodas. Padmashri Balwantrai Bhatt, late Pundit Vasant Thakar and late Pandit Gajananbua Joshi have also contributed to her education. The style she has created for herself retains the fundamental values of Gwalior gharana while borrowing somewhat from Kirana and Jaipur gharanas.  Her music has something for every listener because it respects traditional values while being very personal.  Connoisseurs laud the authenticity of her music, but the lay listener is moved by its directness and intensity.  Apart from her Khayal and Tarana renditions, she is sought after for her rich repertoire of bhajans.

She has sung at all the prestigious venues and occasions including Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior and Sawai Gandharva in Pune. At the Vokalfestival in Stockholm and at the Voices of the World festival in Copenhagen she represented the Indian Classical Voice.  She has recordings under many leading labels.  She was awarded the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1993.

Veenatai holds a doctorate from Pune University and is as excellent a teacher of music as she is a performer.  She has taught formal and informal music courses at Universities and has offered a number of music workshops in India and abroad.  She also teaches advanced students privately.  Veenatai has a number of publications to her credit and has over 41 recorded albums to date.

About the Venue:

Parking Directions:

The concert is at the Baumgaertner Auditorium located inside the Brady Educational Center (BEC) at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul.

Please see a map of the venue by clicking on the link below:

http://www.stthomas.edu/campusmaps/stpaul/stpaul2D_bw.pdf

BEC is Building 31 in the map, located near the intersection of Cretin and Goodrich Avenues.

The best locations to park would be parking lots W, O and X in the above map. You may also use the other lots close by such as lots Y, V and T.

Driving Directions: 

  • From I-94 going E: Take Cretin Avenue exit. Go South (right) on Cretin. After crossing Summit Ave turn right into Grand Ave to get to parking lots W, O and X.
  • From I-94 going W: Take Cretin Avenue exit. Go South (left) on Cretin. After crossing Summit Ave turn right into Grand Ave to get to parking lots W, O and X.
  • From I-35W: Exit on 94 eastbound. Take Cretin Avenue exit. Go South (right) on Cretin. After crossing Summit Ave turn right into Grand Ave to get to parking lots W, O and X.
  • From I-35E: Exit on Randolph Avenue. Proceed West to Cretin Avenue and go North (right) on Cretin. Then turn left into Grand Ave to get to parking lots W, O and X.
Map of Baumgaertner Auditorium

Acknowledgments:
This activity is made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council's (MRAC) "Arts Activities Support (AAS)" Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota state legislature, the Honeywell Foundation's "Dollars for Doers" Grant, and IMSOM Members. This concert is co-sponsored by KFAI Radio (90.3FM in Minneapolis / 106.7FM in St. Paul ).
KFAI Logo

For further information contact:


Shivanthi Sathanandan (651) 698-0774 shivanthi@imsom.org
Ameeta Kelekar (651) 787-0497 ameeta@imsom.org


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