Celebrity classical vocalist Sohini Roy Chowdhury regales music lovers at PKK monthly ‘baithak’

Celebrity classical vocalist Sohini Roy Chowdhury regales music lovers at PKK monthly ‘baithak’

By Ramesh K Dhiman

The Pracheen Kala Kendra organized its 292nd monthly ‘baithak’ at the M.L. Koser indoor auditorium here on Saturday, where star performer was the Kolkata-based prominent vocalist Sohini Roy Chowdhury, who enthralled the city audience with her engaging rendition.

Born in a family of acclaimed musicians, Sohini Roy Chowdhury is a well-known classical vocalist and niece and disciple of the legendary music director R. D. Burman, who has excelled herself in the classical genre of singing. For the unversed, she is a chartered accountant and holds a plum position of CFO in a top-ranking multi-national company. She is gifted not only with an impeccable voice but has also an artistic instinct befitting her lineage.

Staring her musical journey at the tender age of four under the tutelage of her paternal uncle and mentor R. D Burman, she attained the incredible heights of glory with her unwavering grit and dogged determination. Later she was trained by ustad Sagiruddin Khan, Pandit A.T.Kanan, Malvika Kanan, Ustad Maskoor Ali Khan at the Sangeet Research Academy, ITC, Kolkata.

Sohini is a well-known star performer and a much sought after classical vocalist, known for her rich command over Thumri, Dadra, Kajri, Chaiti, Sawani, Jhula, , Tappa presented in a typical tradition of the Benaras gharana she nuanced under the protective patronage of Dalia Rahut. She has performed at various well-attended musical soirees not only in India but also across the world.

Endowed with a velvety and modulated voice, Sohini unfolded the melodic character of popular raag Maru Bihag dwelling on alaap, which was followed by a theme composition in Vilambit laya set to Ek tal with bols “Rasia na jao bahu des…” earning her a thunderous applause from the audience. She moved on to present drut laya composition “Jagun main sari rein balma” in teen tal bagged full-throated encomium. Up next was a captivating Thumri set to raag Mishra Khamaj “Vyakul bhaya braj gaon basuriya na bajao mere sham…” .

Assertive taans presented on the occasion synchronised well with the rhythmic patterns on ‘tabla created by a city-based percussionist of renown, Mahendra Prasad and fabulous accompaniment was provided by famed harmonium exponent Zakir Dholpuri.

Kendra Secretary Sajal Koser along with Kathak Guru and Registrar Shobha Koser honoured the artistes, marking the end to the musical extravaganza.