Bengalooru Habba sizzles

Bengalooru Habba sizzles
New Indian Express

Day 2 of Bengalooru Habba at Ravindra Kalashetra commenced with the melody of a family immersed in Hindustani music.

One of the leading singers in Hindustani music Pt Somanath Mardur and his daughters Veena and Vani engrossed the audience with Vachana Sangeeta.

Pt Somnath Mardur, who studied under Pt Veerappaya Swami, Dr Puttaraj Gawai, Basavaraj Rajguru and Pt Mallikarjun Mansoor, had won the Best Singer Award in 1961 at the All India level.

He had received the gold medal from the then president Dr S Radhakrishnan.

He has received various awards like the ‘Gana Kalatilaka’, ‘Sangeetha Kalathilaka’, ‘Surmani’, ‘Sangeeta Ratna’, ‘Karnataka Kalatilaka’, Rajyotsava Award and Ramanashri Award.

Veena and Vani Mardur are not only his daughters but also his disciples. Under his able direction, these upcoming and promising singers have won various awards.

Another shining performing artiste Ganesh Desai dazzled all with the magnetic frequencies of his voice as well as his expressions that seemed to speak as well.

Ganesh Desai is not only a classical and light vocalist, he is also music director, composer, tabla and harmonium player.

His awards include Hero Honda ‘Suurtarang’ Award for Best Artist 2003, ‘Aryabhata Kalakusuma’ Cultural Award for Sugama Sangeeta, Bangalore (2000), amongst others.

His father Vibhakara Desai trained him in traditional folk art (Yakshagana), drama and music, from the age of six.

Later he trained to be a vocalist, playback singer, music composer and director. He has also sung for dance ballets for Kathak, Odissi and Bharatnatyam.