Over sixty children who love to sing Hindustani Music participated in Hindustani Music Day organized by YCEP division of Ashland, Mass based New England Hindu temple on Sunday, February 27, 2011. The day started with snow storm warnings but that did not keep participants from performing at the Lakshmi temple.

The day of free musical performances started with a prayer by temple priest to start the day’s festivities. Shri K.G. Narayana welcomed the audience and participants. Smt. Shuchita Rao coordinated the music recitals.

A competition for 12th grade students was held between 9A.M and 10A.M. Swati Sharma, student of Smt. Sagarika Kanjilal secured first place winning a scholarship for $1,000, Roshun Alur, student of Smt. Swati Panda secured second place, winning a scholarship for $750 and Ridhima Saxena, student of Dr. Pradeep Shukla secured third place for $500. LearnQuest Academy donated a $250 fourth prize at the event. Judges for the competition were Dr. Debajit Biswas and Smt. Sarita Deshpande.

Students of Boston based Hindustani Music teachers, Preeti Chakravarthy, Pradeep Shukla, Swati Panda, Neelima Chaturvedi, Amit Kavthekar, Chris Pereji, Shuchita Rao, Purba Debnath, Phil Kaplan, Sagarika Kanjilal and Shri Puspen De participated in the event and presented solo as well as group ensemble vocal and percussion instrument recitals. Sarod, Sitar, Harmonium, Keyboard, Tabla and Electric Guitar were the instruments featured in the music day. Pranav Ghatraju, a young and accomplished tabla player volunteered his time from 9A.M to 1p.m and accompanied several performers on tabla.

Classical compositions, Bhajans, Taraanas and semi-classical music set to morning ragas, afternoon ragas and late evening ragas were presented by the students. Students came very well prepared to the event and presented their pieces with plenty of enthusiasm and energy. Young children from age of four to young adults in their late twenties participated in the event. Tabla ensembles got the most applause. Free lunch coupons were distributed to participants.

Lavanya Kancharla, a Plainville resident and mother of Tarun and Pranitha commented “It was a wonderful treat to hear so many performances on a single day in so many different musical styles. I am already looking forward to attending next year’s Hindustani Music Day.”

The day ended at 4p.m with aarathi conducted by the temple priest.

|