Mumbai: Indian classical musician Pandit Naviin Gandharv recalls recent performance before Indian and UK PMs | Mumbai News
MUMBAI: Among the programmes during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer to Mumbai, the cultural programme at Rajbhavan or the governor’s House stood out.Held by Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR), Pandit Naviin Gandharv’s Belabaharr, his Tabla solos and his Anuraaj Classical Band earned applause from both the PMs. He is dn ICCR empanelled artiste for both Belabaharr and tabla solo.Other dignitaries included CM Devendra Fadnavis, deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Anand Mahindra, Gurinder Chaddha governor Acharya Devavrat, Ajit Doval, S Jai Shankar and many others.One of the highlights was the presentation of his father Pandit Babulal Gandharv’s invention ‘Belabaharr’, a unique composition.“The Belabaharr has the sonorous sound of the Sarangi with its refined tone and the feasible technique of Violin. It helps the player to play different kinds of music genres, from Indian classical music, light music, folk music, ghazals, bhajans and western music very comfortably with ease,” said Pandit Naviin Gandharv.How did the two PMs receive the performance? “When we greeted both PMs, it was full of positive energy and vibes, which made us perform nicely. I am glad that we had some fractions of eye contact with a smile from both the PMs,” he recalls. “We started with Raag Jhinjoti before the entry of both PMs, which made the atmosphere very pleasant. After greeting both the PMs we started the perfformance with a Ganpati Bhajan sung by Lata Mangeshkar Ji Ganraj Rangi Nachato.“Gujarati folk song on the Belaaharr on Lord Krishna “Maane to Manvi Le Jo Odhaji and some beautiful bhajans, and English song included the performance.Among his earlier memorable performances is at the Virasat International Festival at Dehradun in 2012. His performance at Baptist University, Hall in Hong Kong where he collaborated with Grammy award winner, Falu Shah was also memorable. His performance at the Khushwant Singh Literature Festival consecutively three times has been very special for him.But, how is he representing Indian music to the global stage?“Basically, I am an Indian classical musician, but to grow its reach I do workshops along with performing concerts. I regularly post my Belabaharr and tabla solo clips on social media whenever time permits,” he says. Forming the Anuraaj classical band in 2008, he has tried to give a contemporary flavour to his music by merging the Raga and the Taal element together with different kinds of instruments and presenting highly talented Indian artists on prestigious platforms.
