On Sunday, Sept. 18, Kanika Pandey opened MITHAS' 25th concert season with a concert in MIT’s Wong Auditorium.  Accompanied by the incomparable Ramesh Misra on the sarangi and Nitin Mitta on the tabla, the recital was stellar from the opening phrases of Rag Bhimpalashri.

Presented in a chaste khyal format of slow ektal and medium tintal, the artist showed her extensive rag training beginning with her father and later polishing by the famous Rajan and Sajan Mishra.  Kanikaji’s humble attitude toward the music and the audience was very much in evidence, and elevated the presentation beyond mere showmanship, as she delved into the melodic movement of the rag with patience and accuracy, and finishing with exiciting and virtuosic fast tans. 

The second item was a shorter song in Kirwani, also revealing her balance and sustained mood.  A brief bhajan was followed a third composition in the charming rag Kalavati, which was enthusiastically received by the rapt audience, who evidently loved the contrasting colors of this rag.  She then presented a composition of her guru, Sajan Mishra, in the evening rag Shivranjani, in which she took special care with the contours of both the rag and the composition.  The concluding item was the traditional closing rag, Bhairavi, which capped off the program with a satisfying conclusion.  

The presence of the sarangi, the traditional but now rarely heard accompanying bowed instrument, added greatly to the presentations, and Rameshji played warmly and supportingly as if he was entirely at home with Kanikaji’s style.  And the tabla accompaniment of Nitin Mitta was both sensitive and vibrant behind the melody artists.  A powerful beginning to the MITHAS Fall Series.