The majestic auditorium of the iconic Lincoln Center witnessed the captivating notes of a popular composition ‘Pag ghungaroo baandh…’ set in Raag Malkauns sung by Shyam Ji Parikh himself, and the audience instantly got the first glimpse of the magic they were to experience for the rest of the evening!
Shyam Ji didn’t just start the performances for the evening, but in fact, his presence on stage was an inspiration for everyone present in the auditorium, including fellow artists.
‘Care & Cure for Parkinson’s’ was truly a mega event in all proportions. The rich heritage of Indian classical music and dance took the center stage at this special event etched forever in everyone’s memories by the gracious presence of the highly acclaimed exponents of Dhrupad, the illustrious Padmashri Gundecha Brothers, who shared the stage for the first time with the legendary Padmashri Anwar Khan Manganiyar, known for their unique captivating folk music from the colorful land of Rajasthan, India. To top it all, Rukmini Vijaykumar, a famous exponent of Baratanatyam, the classical dance form from India, enthralled the audience with her enchanting solo performance!
Parikh Parivar Foundation is built on the strong pillars of compassion, education, and preservation of rich cultural heritage. This mega event was a major milestone that reflected our foundation’s commitment to these values that have always guided our philanthropic endeavors over the years.
Shyam ji’s incomparable determination, his extraordinary efforts, and breath-work that came from his formal training in Dhrupad with his Guru, Padmashri Pandit Umakant Gundecha and Pandit Akhilesh Gundecha, not only gave him all the confidence to present the timeless Dhrupad compositions to the audience, but he set an unique example of the ever-so-resilient human spirit to have overcome all the difficulties from his everyday battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The evening presented a perfect bouquet of myriad emotions ranging from the soulful, soothing Dhrupad to the energetic and rugged beauty of the folk compositions.
Indian classical music is unique as it has specific raag depending on the particular time of the day, the season and mood. Padmashri Pandit Umakant Gundecha, and Anant Gundecha had masterfully chosen to present Raag Bhupali, a peaceful, pentatonic raag characterised by only the five notes – Sa, Re, Ga, Pa, Dha which is usually sung in early evening thereby rendering the calming, peaceful emotions and created a perfect atmosphere for a deep reflection within.
The heart-touching rhythm of Pakhawaj by Pandit Akhilesh Gundecha along with Tanpura accompaniment by Dhani Gundecha and Janhavi Phansalkar weaved a perfect tapestry of melodies that created a lasting impression on the audience.
Energetic yet melodious folk flavor rendition by Padmashri Anwar Khan Manganiyar and the accompanying musicians captivated everyone’s hearts with a popular composition ‘Kesariya balam’ and others.
One of the most exciting highlights of the evening was a unique combination of Dhrupad along with folk artists. Gundecha brothers’ masterful rendition of Shiv Stuti in Raag Adana, set in a 10-beat Sultaal, touched heartstrings. As the folk flavor created yet another layer along with this ethereal composition, it left the audience spellbound!
The dance performance by talented Bharatanatyam artist and a famous choreographer, Rukmini Vijaykumar needs a special mention. Her solo performance demonstrating the awe-inspiring flexibility, raw emotion, and unwavering physical strength of the human body received a great response from the audience.
