(You can listen to Abhishruti perform this Sunday, June 15th at 6:30pm in Harvard Square (Swedenborg Chapel at 50 Quincy Street). Please visit www.abhishruti.com to purchase tickets. Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofZQZ8tA2J4 for a sound clip!)

Abhishruti Bezbaruah is an artist of the "Banaras Gharana" and is a disciple of Padma Bhushan Guru Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra. She has performed at numerous venues and events in India, where she has won many awards and the appreciation of many listeners. She has lent her voice to Padma Shri Muzzafar Ali's serial "Zabaan-E-Ishq" and to Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj's dance dramas. She was adjudged 1st in All India Radio Competition 2006 for Hindustani Classical Vocal and awarded "Young Artist Scholarship" from Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. She will be accompanied by Priti Chakravarty on Harmonium and Vishal Nagar on Tabla while Chris Pereji will be managing audio.

How did you develop an interest in Classical Music at such a young age?

Coming from a musically oriented family and a culture where every child goes through a stage of music in their lives, my initiation into this fine art happened at the age of 6. It started as a hobby and it was not until my tenth grade, I realized that my passion for the art could be turned into a career. It's all thanks to my folks for having introduced me to music and then supporting me through the years.

Do you ever think of pursuing a career in popular rather than classical music?

While I enjoy listening to and even singing popular bollywood numbers most of the time (it's almost unavoidable!!) I somehow never got attracted to the idea of pursuing a career in it. Hindustani Classical music has always been my focus.

What are your favorite Ragas?

This is a tough one! I could have told you my favorite ragas a few years back when I was looking at Hindustani classical as only a hobby. Today I am exploring the vast universe of music and am realizing that each and every raga has its own essence ("rasa") and character and is beautiful in its own way. But to name a raga I like singing- Raga Jog.

Could you tell us the specialty of the Benaras Gharana?

In my view, the specialty of Benaras Gharana lies in its Raga Elaboration or "Shringar Rasa" and the "Taans" or the fast rhythmic patterns which are sung after a raga elaboration.

The "Shringar Rasa" creates a dialogue between the audience and the performer, which can happen only when the performer sings from his/her heart. We are taught to beautify a raga only as much as is required…not too much or too less, and most importantly express our feelings through our music and not mimic someone else's work. One is urged to think how one would want to express a particular line through music.

"Taans" are the jewellery of the raga so these need to be sung with love. In this Gharana, there is a variety of "Taans", which are sung with the beats while playing with the rhythm.

What does music mean to you?

Music to me is the epitome of charity…it has given me so much and relentlessly continues to do so!

Who is your musical mentor?

My Gurujis- Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra are my musical mentors.


What is it like to learn under Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra?

I consider myself very lucky to have the honor and privilege to be a student of such great Gurus. The finer nuances of this art are taught with a great amount of patience and Gurujis take out a lot of time from their immensely tight schedule and spends it on our training or "Riyaaz." I get to learn a lot because their training does not consist of only "singing" but also "listening." They also share with us their experience from which there is always something new to learn.

What are the differences between singing for dance and having a pure music recital?

A purely musical recital is vastly different from singing with dance. In your own recital you can elaborate your music to an almost endless amount, but while singing with dance one has to keep in mind the number of times one line has to be sung. Having said that, singing with dance poses its own challenges, especially since one has to improvise his lyrics to stay in sync with the dancer! I say this in the context of the classical dance "Kathak" as I have given vocal support with Kathak in the past.

Any special thoughts you would like to share with our readers?

It's only commitment and goal that has brought me to where I am today. I hope to keep my foot on the accelerator for many more years to come. And I hope you do the same in your respective professions.

(You can listen to Abhishruti perform this Sunday, June 15th at 6:30pm in Harvard Square (Swedenborg Chapel at 50 Quincy Street). Please visit www.abhishruti.com to purchase tickets. Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofZQZ8tA2J4 for a sound clip!)

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