Revival of Spic Macay Chapter at IIM Calcutta by Flute Recital by Pandit Chaurasia

Revival of Spic Macay Chapter at IIM Calcutta by Flute Recital by Pandit Chaurasia

Imagine a dark, rainy, enchanting evening spent listening to one of the greatest Indian maestros of the flute, perform a recital dedicated to the moon just when the glowing orb begins to peek through the clouds in the sky. An ecstatic experience you may say, and that is what most of the people gathered in the MCHV auditorium at IIM Calcutta felt, when they were treated to an outstanding performance by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, one of the greatest living exponents of the North Indian flute.

Pandit Chaurasia was performing at IIM Calcutta at an introductory concert, which marked the revival of the dormant Spic Macay chapter at IIMC. Spic Macay, which is a voluntary youth organisation, seeks to conserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of India amongst the youth of this country through focus on the classical arts and to facilitate an awareness of their deeper and subtler values. It has a long association with IIM Calcutta, since 1987. Spic Macay IIM Calcutta chapter was a very active chapter earlier, though there had been a lull in activities since the last national convention in 2001. This performance by Pandit Chaurasia was part of Spic Macay's annual series of activities and events, VIRASAT 2005.

After a welcome address, when the director of the institute Professor Shekhar Chaudhuri welcomed the esteemed performer and his accompanying artistes, Panditjee began with an introductory session with the audience. He remarked that it was after 8 years he was coming back to this campus, and he was surprised and delighted at the beautiful MCHV auditorium with its calm, meditative environment. He asked the audience to suggest any particular raga that they were keen on hearing. The response of the audience though, was very hushed, as most of them consisted of students and staff whose musical repertoire seemed to be limited, to say the least. But again, it may have been that even the connoisseurs of classical music were too awed in the presence of the maestro to be free.

Panditjee then first performed Raga Yaman (also known as Kalyani Raaga in South India) in 2 parts - first in Madhya Laya Jhap Taal and then the second one in Drut Teen Taal. This Raaga, he explained was a prayer welcoming the moon, and was apt for the occasion. Next he played Raga Marwa in Madhyam Laya Teen Taal. In both of these, he was ably accompanied by Shri Vijay Ghate on the Tabla and Shri Sunil Avchat on the Flute. The percussionist especially helped the audience with his eloquent expressions of appreciation whenever the maestro performed a particularly complicated part!

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Contributed by -
Gaurav Dhir,
IIM Calcutta.