Seminars
Seminar 3
The Classical Music of the Sikhs
Sunday 25th November 07
12.45pm to 15.15pm
Benares Gharana (R Birdi and K Manku)
The only hindustani gharana of North Indian classical music. Well known for its powerful sound, though it is important to note its melodious nature in singing and more importantly into the Benares repertoire of tabla playing.
Raminder will perform two short classical compositions in Dhrupad and Khayal. Accompanied by her sister, Kirth on the Tabla.
Vanishing Traditions. (Mohan Singh and party)
Sikh Ragis were not only adept at the art of Gurmat Sangeet but some were excellent writers who sang there compositions to classical Raag. This section will begin with a rare composition from 100 years ago, in praise of the tenth master of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh. It is sang in Jhap Taal a ten beat rhythmic cycle.
Heer Ranjha is the classic love story. The traditional form of “Heer” lends itself to the folk tradition , however there is a seldom heard classical form of singing “Heer” This particular item is set to the “Punjabi Theka” Rhythmic cycle – apt since the Heer Ranjha love story is set in Punjab..
Tarana’s are songs that are used to convey a mood of elation performed at the end of the vocal concert. Mohan Singh is a classically trained artist who trained in both the Gurmat Sangeet Tradition from Ustad Harbhajan Singh and the Benares Gharana tradition spending 15 years under the tutelage of the master vocal duo Pt’s Rajan and Sajan Mishra.
A tabla Genius Comes to SWFF
Tabla Solo
Sukhwinder Singh 'Pinky'
Tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in the classical, popular and religious music of the Indian subcontinent The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres. The tabla can be played solo or as accompaniment bass to classical forms such as in the Sikh Gurmat sangeet tradition. It has made its way through fusion music to the West and can now even be heard in films produced by Hollywood.
Born September 1965 in Bhaini Sahib, Punjab. Sukhvinder Singh “Pinky” has devoted himself to the study of rhythm. He started his training at the age of 5 under the Pakawaj Samrat Ustad Nihal Singh of the Punjab Gharana learning the pakawaj. Being a child prodigy he gave his first solo performance at Birla Mateshwari Hall, Mumbai in 1978. After receiving a sound foundation in Pakawaj, Sukhvinder had a desire to learn tabla from none other than the world renowned Tabla Samrat Pandit Kishan Maharaj of Varanasi (Benaras Gharana), a living legend in tabla playing. These intense urges of learning made him leave his home, family and childhood behind in late 1978 and proceed to Varanasi and dedicate his next eighteen years in the pursuit of tabla. Pt. Kishan Maharaj saw the potential and dedication in the young Sukhvinder and gave him meticulous attention and tutelage. Pt. Kishan Maharaj takes pride in mentioning "Sukhvinder" as one of his best disciples who is carrying out the tradition of his "Banaras Baaj" (Banaras style of Tabla playing).
Sukhvinder has become a phenomenal tabla performer and is well known for his keen capability to capture the audience with his spontaneity, power and virtuosity during his performances. Sukhvinder Singh has had a meteoric rise in popularity as an accompanist after several successful concerts with leading artists, such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, Late Ustad Vilayat Khan, Dr L Subramanuim (Violin), Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod), Pt. Hari Prasad Ji (Flute), Ustad Emrat Khan (Sitar), Ustad Fateh Ali Khan (Vocal), Pt. Ram Narayan (Sarangi), Pt. Jas Raj Ji (Vocal), and Ustad Sahid Parvez (Sitar). Sukhvinder has toured extensively across USA and India and has won a Grammy Award In 1994, with Ry Cooder for the Composition "A Meeting by the River". Sukhvinder has also been a featured soloist with BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in London, and has also performed at the BBC Proms, he has more than 40 CD's in the markets worldwide.
Location
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Glass Room
100 Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 2C6