KALASADAN – A Class Apart

         
                     - Rajesh Subramanian

KALASADAN,established on May 1st 1954, is one of the pioneer and revered cultural institutions in Mumbai that has been serving the cause of performing arts for the past 54 years. Hundreds of students have had training in classical dance and music (Bharata Natyam & Carnatic music) under the tutelage and able guidance of founder late Guru Shri Mani and credited themselves admirably as performing artists and teachers all over India and abroad. Guru Mani born in Trichur shifted to Mumbai in the early 1940s in search of employment. While being employed as a manager in a famous book store he developed a keen interest for dance. With the support of a few close friends he formed the Chetana Cultural Centre and staged performances by various artiste’s in Mumbai. Simultaneously he learnt Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Smt Karunambal and her late husband and veteran Guru Kuppaih pillai of the Rajarajeswari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir, Mumbai. He with the help of his close Friend Late Sri A.M Ramanath founded Kalasadan. Kalasadan celebrated its Golden Jubilee in the year 2003 with a grand function at the Shanmukhananda Chandrashekharendra Saraswathi Auditorium wherein the Nine Gems in the form of nine legendary Gurus/artists were honoured for their contribution in the field of arts.In memory of late Shri Guru Mani the 5th of september is celebrated as Guru Abhivaadan Diwas. Following the death of Guru Mani in June 2006, the Institute is run by his family of artists - his sons Guru Natrajgopal and Ganesh, daughters Sharda Ganesen, Uma Narainswamy and Meera Haridas, sons in law Sri.I.S Narainswamy, N.R Ganesan, Haridas and grandchildren Sriram and Nandini. Most of them form a part of the kalasadan troupe and teach at the various centres of the institute. Training centres conducted by Kalasadan have benefited various cross sections of the society and their efforts to preserve and propagate India's traditional performing arts in their divine and dignified form have been able to create an interest and awareness of the Indian culture in the present generation. The institute has centres at Sion, Vile Parle, Andheri, Ghatkopar, Mulund, Vashi, Nerul and Titwala. Kalasadan is also engaged in setting up of a unique arts complex – ‘ Chinthamani Ashram of Fine Arts ’ at Titwala. To mark the 54th anniversary the students of Kalsadan staged a group presentation titled “ Bhaavaye Shri Gopaalam “, a sanskrit musical compositions of Maharaja Swati thirunal, at  mumbai’s ISKCON auditorium during Janmashtami festival and later at the Shri Sharada Peeth Hall in Dwarka. “ It describes the Shri Krishna Leela in detail, right from the almighty’s birth to his becoming the ruler of Dwarka “, eulogises Guru Natrajgopal. While younger brother Ganesh chips in, “ About sixteen dancers, all students of the institute, participated in this colourful production, accompanied with mellifluous live music and spellblinding lighting “.

Contact : 24092166 or email at kalasadan@hotmail.com

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M ohinderjit S ingh – O n A M
elodious M ission

- Rajesh Subramanian

Immensely gifted and exceedingly versatile his splendid works have not only won rave reviews and accolades but has also captivated the attention of ardent music lovers, connoisseurs and even the honourable prime minister. At 71, music virtuoso Mohinderjit Singh has one zealous desire – to spread the message of the tenth sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh through an album that he has been diligently working for more than two decades.

Hi
s demeanour is exceptionally phlegmatic and his thought process crystal clear. If he has mastered the intricacies of classical music after years of assiduity then he is equally generous in imparting and spreading his knowledge to talented budding singers. Whether as a commendable singer, a violinist of repute, a composer and a music teacher par excellence, renowned vocalist Mohinderjit Singh has carved a special niche for himself in the world of music. “A true singer doesn’t sing just from the throat. It has to come from deep within“, expounds Mohinderjitji sitting in the cool confines of his modest but cozy apartment at Yari road.

             Hailing from Lahore Mohinderjit Singh, who came to India in the aftermath of partition trained in classical music under the tutelage of the legendary composers Pt Husanlal and Pt Bhagatram. Though his musical odyssey started as a singer it wouldn’t be an understatement to say that he is a composer blessed with a creative capacity. His trained ears are accustomed to the various forms of music ranging from Hindustani classical, semi classical, ghazals, folk and devotional songs. He has also enhanced his compositions with components of western music which he learnt from Pandit Ram Prasad and Josic Menezas. Another hallmark about Mohinderjit Singh’s music is its originality, imagination and innovation within the traditional parameters. The soul-stirring quality is indeed his trademark. No wonder that veteran music director Naushad lavished praises on hearing his composition and eulogized, “Mohinderjit Singh’s music is bound to endure for long “. Naushadsaab was so enchanted by the song Sadbhavna that he recommended Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to grant it a national status. In 1999 the prime minister gave directives to the Directorate general of All India Radio to broadcast the song set in raag Shyam Kalyan on all national events. “It was a proud moment and I felt that my hard work was truly recognised. It will always remain a cherished memory”, divulges Mohinderjitji with a smile.   

As we sip delectable Kashmiri tea our conversation veers towards the intricacies of classical music and Mohinderjit Singh reveals that in the course of his training as a violinist he went on to improvise the instrument and in the process invented a new musical instrument called Nadyogini. “I knew carpentry and that helped me immensely in creating the Nadyogini“, he elucidates before adding that he played the entire background score of the government film Naam Hoga Anuja on this instrument. Guruji, as he is reverently addressed by all his disciples, has rightfully earned the title of a teacher par excellence. A host of singers including Chitra Singh and Sandhya Rao have received training in music from him. He has also scored music for television serials like Mirabai, Mricchakatikam and Sankalp and in films like Diksha, Zulf Ke Saaye and Ghooghat Ki Aad Mein

However, there is one unaccomplished desire which is closest to his heart that Mohinderjit Singh has been earnestly working on for the last twenty years.  He wants to promulgate the message of the tenth sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh through an album of hymns. “ I read a book called Yug Purush on the life of Guru Gobind Singh more than two decades ago and it changed my life “, admits the composer. “ Guru Gobind Singh the tenth and last guru of the Sikhs conflicted against religious, economic and political injustice. To execute this he formed the Khalsa Panth. Khalsa means The Pure. He firmly believed that the best way to love humanity was to squash inhumanity. His hymns propound the power of Bhakti and Shakti for world peace. One must triumph over oneself and not others “. He is also seeking financial assistance since the project is quite ambitious and is confident that help will come his way sooner or later to realize his dream.      

Musicolor organised a melodious event titled Anmol Rattan – Greatest Hits of Naushad & Madan Mohan at Vile Parle’s Dinanath Mangeshkar auditorium. The evening featured several song gems like Madhuban mein radhika, Lag ja gale, Bhaiya na dharo, Jhoom jhoom ke nacho, Ankhiyan mila ke, Do sitaron ka, teri husn ki kya tarif karun, Ae dil mujhe bata de, Ek haseen sham ko, Rang aur noor, Teri ankhon ke siva, Phir wahi sham and Teri liye from Veer Zaara rendered by talented singers like Sarita Rajesh, Gaurav Bangia, Srikant Narayan, Vrushali Patil and Anand Bahal. The event, supported by Monarch Catalyst Pvt Ltd, was a packed affair as every composition was received with thunderous applause. Music maestro Madan Mohan’s son Samir Kohli graced the occasion and thanked the audience and Musicolor for paying tribute to his legendary father, who never got his due during his lifetime. He also added that he was a really proud being the son of such a talented and gifted composer. The programme was compered by Prashant Rao who enlived the atmosphere with hilarious anecdotes and repartees. The event marked the formal launch of Musicolor on a high note and the troupe promises to enthrall music fans with many more such mellifluous events in the future.

Nalin Shah – Spreading The Saigal Magic 

                         
                            - N
alin Shah                      

                       
                               
                       
Celebrated writer cum vintage music connosieur and historian Nalin Shah is spreading the mellifluous magic of K L Saigal amongst vintage music lovers.

                        
                               
                 - Rajesh Subramanian

“ The aura of Kundan Lal Saigal is perennial ”, says renowned writer Nalin Shah with a flourish. The immensely gifted singer whose resonant and evocative voice that bewitched generations of music lovers continue to cast its spell on the listener’s six decades after his demise. And one man who has devoted his entire life researching and unearthing fascinating facts about the genius vocalist is Mumbai’s Santacruz resident Nalin Shah. The renowned film music historian and vintage film expert has taken upon himself to spread the magic of K L Saigal. He elucidates the magic of K L Saigal, regarded as the king of playback singers, live on stage with an audio-visual presentation. Nalin Shah, who recently presented a string of programmes titled ‘ K L Saigal – The Immortal’ reveals that the impact is so strong that even youngsters are taking special interest in the songs rendered by Saigal. “ Through these shows I attempt to resurrect the spirited life and soulful lilts of the legendary singer. In the process I get to share a lot of rare facts and interesting anecdotes with the audience “, explains Nalin Shah, regarded as an expert on K L Saigal. “ He is extremely passionate about the subject and has dedicated his entire life studying the illustrious and intriguing life of K L Saigal. His presentation is an enlightening experience for music lovers “, opines Bala Subramanian, of Barclays Bank. Endowed with a sonorous and eloquent voice Saigal entranced music lovers with his inimitable style of singing in the 30’s and 40’s and attained a cult status after singing in films like Street Singer, Bhakt Surdas, Zindagi, Chandidas, Tansen, Devdas, President, Dhusman, Meri Bahen and Shahjehan. “Saigal was a simple man with average features. But the dark eroticism of his brooding looks and his resonant voice were his greatest hallmark. It was Nitin Bose’s Chandidas released in 1934 ( with music by R C Boral ) that set him on the road to superstardom. Thereafter there was no stopping him till his demise”, informs eighty five year old C M Chokshi, an ardent Saigal fan. While Nalin Shah, who is currently working on K L Saigal’s biography, elaborates that Saigal has been the most emulated but never equaled crooner who has been a great source of inspiration for all the other eminent singers who graced hindi films from Lata Mangeshkar to Kishore Kumar. “ He was a true phenomenon whose work has left an indelible mark in the minds of listeners and in the process he became an institution in himself. For music lovers like me, who are in constant search of gathering more and more information about Saigal, the experience is like a pilgrimage. And I relish every moment “, informs Nalin Shah.