Every journey has milestones and places to reflect on, to date achievements. The evening on September 15th was one such milestone for student Aniket Lachyankar, the first debut tabla solo recital from New England School of Music (NESOM). Aniket presented a rhythmic extravaganza with remarkable confidence gathered from years of meticulous preparation and dedicated hard work in a Guru-Shishya parampara at NESOM. An audience of over 200 people was enthralled by Aniket’s varied repertoire of traditional tabla styles.

The Evening: The evening blossomed along a traditional route made familiar by such Stalwarts of Punjab Gharana as Ustad AllaRakh and Ustad Zakir Hussain. It all started with a slow paced Peshkar or introductory composition. Peshkar has a number of interesting characteristics. Peshkar literally means Offering; a polite way of offering a valuable jewel to the listener. It is usually a slow paced introduction to the Taal rendered. Focused on the nuances of each syllables used in the Taal, Peshkar introduces the audience to the glory of the “Taal” and a glimpse into subsequent renditions. It also demonstrates how each syllable evolves on its own beauty and power.

Peshkar was followed by increasingly paced compositions like Kaidas and Relas. These compositions demonstrated intricate fingering and controlled fury generated by combined strokes of Bayan and Dayan. Aniket introduced compositions from various Gharanas and illustrating “Khasiyat” or hallmark of those traditions in a masterful way. The compositions, both traditional and contemporary, were presented in such torrential pattern, that the audience was left dazzled by the sheer beauty and raw power of “Bols”.

Aniket then entered the realm of even faster compositions where he demonstrated lightening fast compositions, Gats, Paran, Tukdas and Chakradars. Aniket’s mastery on spoken and stroked Bols was obviously evident. He rendered all the composition with such ease and efficiency that the Audience kept spontaneously clapping at the end of each piece. The Solo concert ended with a thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

The second half of the performance was a mesmerizing Kathak dance presentation where Aniket accompanied a young Kathak Maestro and NESOM Kathak teacher, Isha Phadke. Both the artists demonstrated individual and combined uses of the phrases traditionally used by both the art forms. The enjoyment of both the artists was contagious. The audience repeatedly and spontaneously participated in the on-stage performance. The performance ended with very traditional pieces where both artists tease and challenge each other to render ever escalating complex pieces. It was a joy to watch the young artists give so much to the audience. It was no surprise that the audience left wanting even more !

During the program Gauri Chandna, Director ATFS Learning Center was invited on the stage to share the journey of Aniket’s learning as a child as well as the partnership of ATFS with NESOM.” I am honored tonight to be standing up and sharing glimpses of one my student’s journey as a learner as well as a key player in the professional relationship between ATFS Learning center and NESOM. In that regard Aniket has made a great contribution to our partnership, both institutions as well as to society in general.” Chandna announced. She continued to spell out details of collaborative efforts of the two organizations, “From day one this has been such a positive experience where we have not only shared students but our basic philosophies of enriching the next generation in our unique ways. Where one organization supplements the academic side, the other enriches through developing and enhancing the creative side of our kids. And Aniket being one such example who has received the best of both and has certainly become an inspiration for many who aspire to achieve academic success as well as perform as he did tonight.” Gauri went on to showcasing the academic as well as extra curricular achievements of Aniket congratulating him and his family who have not only given him the values, but also realized and encouraged his potential in a direction of his choice.

The School: Inspired by Punjab gharana stalwart, late Ustad Allahrakha, New England School of Music (NESOM) was launched in mid-2008 by founder and Director, Guru Aditya Kalyanpur, as an educational and cultural organization based in the Greater Boston Area of Massachusetts. NESOM is committed to propagating the art of Indian Classical Music through classes in instrumental and vocal music as well dance forms including Kathak. The school promotes Indian Classical musicians and fosters an appreciation of Indian Classical music through group concerts, solo performances, lecture demonstrations and exhibits in the United States. NESOM is proud to provide training in classical arts by eminent Indian stage artists.

The founder: Guru Aditya Kalyanpur, a talented tabla player and percussionist beyond his years, received training from maestros Ustad Allahrakha and Ustad Zakir. The child in the famous "Wah Taj!" commercial, Aditya has blossomed into an international tabla phenomenon. Kalyanpur has mastered the intricacies of the tabla and his style consists of bold and clear execution of syllables, pinpoint precision in rhythm, coupled with a colossal repertoire of compositions and improvisational techniques.  Honored with the title of Taal-Mani, Aditya Kalyanpur is the recipient of I.T.C's prestigious Vidyasagar Award and other international awards. He has accompanied great maestros like Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, U. Amjad Ali Khan, U. Zakir Hussain and more recently with A.R. Rehman’s “Jai Ho” Tour.

For more information, on NESOM please visit: http://newenglandschoolofmusic.org/ and http://www.atfsonline.com for details on ATFS Learning Center.

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