BHARATI PAWASKAR
Music offers solace as it speaks a universal language and has the capacity to touch the chord in every human heart. Why human, it can even soothe animals, birds and plants. Experiencing the joy of singing and sharing her knowledge with enthusiastic students, versatile singer Pandita Shubhada Paradkar, who was in Goa for a three-day workshop on Khayal Gayaki at Goa College of Music, Altinho, admits, “It was a live and interactive session, where around 75 students learnt Raag Vistar and composition in various Raagas. I must say, it is really heart-warming to see today’s young generation taking so much interest in learning music and asking intelligent questions.” Coincidently, it was her birthday on September 21, and this joy came as a gift to her from these students in Goa.
Currently residing in Mumbai, Pt Shubhada has performed in all major music concerts in India and who also tours abroad extensively, has returned from a two-month tour of America where she had recitals before Indian diaspora at various places. In her tours of USA, Thailand, UK and other countries, Pta Shubhada, trained in four major Gharanas “ Gwalior, Agra, Jaipur and Kirana, provides authentic information about complex as well as simple Raagas.
Her workshop at the Music College was thoroughly enjoyable affair apart from being educative, as she glided through basic Raagas like Alhaiya Bilawal, Bihag, Tilang and Kedar. She also taught complex Raagas like Devgiri Bilawal, Yamini Bilawal, Suha Kanada, Shahana Kanada etc with equal ease. Explaining how certain phrases could be used to instantly establish any Raag, she marvels a technique of simplifying any Raag for her students, a skill inherited from her late Guru Pt Gajananrao Joshi.
Indeed,Pt Shubhada’s concerts are full of lively interaction with the rhythm and she also makes excellent use of semi-classical varieties like Thumri, Bhajan and Tappa. Delighted with the success of the musical workshop, the principal of Goa College of Music, Dr Shashank Maktedar and the faculty who did a wonderful job of organsing this grand event in a beautiful ambience, expressed that due to enthusiasm of the students, all sessions happened to be participatory and lively. “It was a wonderful initiative a necessary one for our rich heritage to be passed on to future generations in an unadulterated manner,” felt Maktedar.
Looking back at her own musical journey, Ptd Shubhada recalls that apart from her formal music instructions that include a MA (Music) degree from SNDT University, Mumbai, she also had the benefit of individual tuitions from various Gurus at different points of her career. Baroda born Shubhada began her music training with Pt R D Potdar (Kirana Gharana) and Pt Madhusudan Joshi (Agra Gharana). She also remained under tutelage from Pt Babanrao Haldankar (Agra Gharana) and Padmavati Shaligram Gokhale (Jaipur Gharana) for a long period. She owes the credit of Tappa to Pt Jal Balaporia.
This versatile singer regularly guides students in SNDT University Mumbai and Lalit Kala Kendra at Pune University through her workshops and lecture demonstrations. .
The music will never die. Social media has been instrumental in spreading the love for music, though at times, lot of publicity may go to wrong or undeserving people. Anyone who thinks he or she can sing uploads videos on YouTube to gain instant publicity.
Many times real talent gets lost in the chaos when too much of music is out there. Reality shows too can be blamed for offering an easy platforms to those who are raw and yet to master the art. Child artists begin to bask in their own glory and stop learning further. This mars the growth of their talent. Pta Shubhada feels that one has to take music seriously and learn from a Guru, do ‘riyaaz’ for years before claiming to have mastered it or before exhibiting the art in public. “A minimum of 12 years’ patient training from a Gurukul system is what makes an artist a real gem that shines forever and leaves a lasting imprint on the audience,” she concludes.
