Sitarry- eyed!

Sydney sitarist produces debut album

BY MALLI IYER

Very recently I had the pleasure of listening to an instrumental CD by Sydneybased sitarist Nicky Gill, titled Raag Kirwani The disc runs for just over 20 minutes during which time Nicky plays four ragas for short intervals. She is accompanied by Dr. Tarlochan Singh on the tabla.

This is Nicky’s debut CD. She is learning her music from Dr. Tarlochan Singh at present. Her main guru is Ustad Sarshar Khan, well known in our community’s music circles. Nicky plays the sitar in light classical style, and has played at several hotels and restaurants and at mehfils of the Chamber Music variety. Nicky also sings ghazals and songs at musical get-togethers. She is understood to have been initiated into music for nearly 20 years.

It is appropriate to mention that this compact disc has earpleasing music. Nicky has a simple style of playing without attempting to go to great depths with alaap, jod and gat which might need elaborate sanchar in her chosen ragas. She has not attempted to play gamakas with her instrument either. She has strictly adhered to her tals and beats and her flow is steady. The duration of each raga played obviously offers limited scope to develop them to lend aesthetic beauty. This might well be her aim for the future as her sitar playing evolves with time and experience. Nicky’s rendering of Raag Kirwani in Teen taal (with 16 beats), the highlight of the album, goes on for just over 6 minutes. It also affords a little more opportunity to the tabla to introduce variations. Nicky’s application to her craft shows through and she demonstrates good control without losing the tonal quality. Her playing of Raga Darbari, Bhimpalasi and Kalyan follow the prescribed notes of the tunes, without a blemish. All three are set to Keherva Tal (4 beats) and played for 3 to 5 minutes. first, the video would not play; many heads were put together and finally it was all resolved. Not for long though, as there was another mix-up midway, and the show had to be stalled for a while. Luckily though, few complained and the large crowd waited patiently. The crowd was largely appreciative. Unbelievably not one mobile phone went off during the performances!

Nicky hopes to play at a semi-professional level in the ensuing years, which may necessitate building her repertoire and attain a greater versatility of her style.

Dr Lalita Venkatraman divided her recital into three segments: portraying India’s beauty, a glimpse into the eight classical dances of India, and a salute, at the end, to the Motherland through Vande Mataram. Lalita has a Masters degree in classical dance from the Arts Society in Mumbai and has performed with renowned dancers in various places across the globe. Both performers were exquisite in their presentations, inspiring and enjoyable.

It was an evening well spent. The vibrant colours and rhythm of the dances