Mysuru: Gayana Sabha, Mysuru, will present an enchanting Hindustani Classical Vocal Concert featuring Vidu. Shrimathi Devi, complemented by a captivating tabla solo by Sumit Naik.

This musical soirée will unfold on June 22 at 5.30 pm at Veene Seshanna Bhavan, Ganabharathi, in Kuvempunagar. Enhancing the evening’s artistry, Tejas Katoti will lend his virtuosity on harmonium, accompanying both performers with finesse.

Vidu. Shrimathi Devi, a vocalist based in Mysuru, is a Hindustani classical musician, performer, tutor and vivid writer in Kannada related to music, other art forms. Being a trained vocalist in the Gwalior Gharana, she has travelled extensively throughout Karnataka and also in Maharashtra to perform for over 15 years.

Shrimathi’s father, Polali Jagadish Das, a Harikatha Exponent (Keertanakar) and mother, Girija Bai, who is a singer herself, is the inspiration to pursue this field. Shrimathi had her initial training in Mudubidri and Karkala, later moved to Dharwad and got trained under the able guidance of late Pandit Chandrashekhar Puranikmath, the famous vocalist of Gwalior Gharana in Dharwad.

Influenced by Rasa-bhava ideas of Pt. Narayan Pandit, a disciple of Pandit Kumar Gandharva, got intensive training in raag-lay-bhav and later from his senior disciple Ravikiran Manipal. Later she had an opportunity of receiving advanced training from Pt. Vysamurthy Katti, Bengaluru and Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pune.

Currently she is under the tutelage of Vidu. Apoorva Gokhale of Mumbai, a sought-after name in Hindustani music field.

Shrimathi Devi has many accomplishments for her credits. She took initiative of ‘Nadapiya-Pt.Narayan Panditji’s Bandishes project’ to compile and upload the bandishes composed by her Guru Pt.Narayan Panditji under Ranjani Memorial Trust, Udupi. In which she has sung 92                                                 among 100 bandishes.

Founded ‘Ninaada School of Music’ in Mysuru and regularly organises chamber concerts at Ninaada, with the banner of ‘Ninaada Griha Sangeet.’  She has given several lec-dem sessions on ‘Music Appreciation’ in Dharwad, Mysuru and Mangaluru.

Shrimathi is a B High graded artiste of AIR in both Classical music and Light music since 2010. Her Vocal CD was released by Gayana Sabha, Mysuru (2018) which comprises raag Miyaki Todi and Sur Malhar.

Sumit Naik hails from Kochi, Kerala. He was initiated into music by his parents Sudhakar Naik and Meera. He started his initial musical training under Vidwan Naveen Pai and then continued his training under the tutelage of Dr. Udayraj Karpur.

His tabla accompaniment can be described as evocative, engaging and complementary. He has accompanied many renowned senior musicians and promising youngsters of India. He has performed numerous tabla solo concerts, Karnatak Talavadya percussion ensembles and solo accompaniment with his Guru Dr. Udayraj Karpur.

He is an adept player who also plays for other genres like Ghazals, Jazz, Bhakti Sangeet, Natya Sangeet and Sufi-Qawwali. He has played background scores for many movie tracks like ‘Mohavalayam’ and ‘Sthalam’. He has provided outstanding performances at highly esteemed platforms in India as well as overseas countries like UK, Switzerland and France. In 2017, he was awarded the G.S.B. Award and was conferred with the title  ‘Laya Pratibha’.

Tejas Katoti is the son and disciple of renowned Harmonium player and Guru Dr. Ravindra Katoti and has done his Master’s in harmonium from Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune. He has accompanied many artistes and also performed solo recitals.