e-Shehnai and Qawwali” hosted by the Consulate General of India, Jeddah in association with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, at the International Indian School, Jeddah on Friday was a fitting conclusion to the celebrations that marked India's 63rd Republic Day. The sprawling double-deck school auditorium was transformed into a palace, the smiles flashing across the joyful faces of the expatriate Indian community living in Jeddah bringing an offering to the day they hold high in reverence and pride. “We thought there could be no better way to celebrate the Republic Day than by inviting Pt. Daya Shankar and Jamil Ahmad,” Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, Consul General of India said. As the curtain rose for the first program of the night—Mehfil-e-Shehnai- an old man could be seen on stage in front of a dazzling white expanse with back-supports lined up at intervals matching his cloak in color. As he instructed his band – Pandit Anup Gosh (Tabla), Ashwin Shankar (supporting Shehnai), Anand Shankar (Tabla/Dukkar) and Yogesh Kumar Shankar (Sur Shehnai) to take up their positions, a strange silence overcame the auditorium. The music based on Raag Purva Kalyaan started to flow from the piece of wood and it soon spread through the entire auditorium as if a huge bottle of perfume had been uncorked somewhere. The pitch steadily increased as the backdrop of Tabla beats captivated the audience. By the time the Shehnai maestro reached the pinnacle of his tune, he had been playing for well over 45 minutes. The tune slowly came to an end with a Doppler effect and the audience put their hands together to fill the hall with a roar. His efforts did not go in vain. The Consul General rose from his chair along with other staff and mounted the podium to pay him the respect he deserved. The curtain fell. “Since 1972, I've taken my Shehnai on international solo recitals in various countries,” Pt. Daya Shankar said. “It's an honor to be here.” “The national telecast celebrations of the Independence Day used to begin with my father's performance,” he said. “ I have been repeating that since 1972.” “It's a lifetime opportunity to see the maestros of music perform before your eyes,” Syed Ahmad Hussaini, a sales manager, said. Within another 15 minutes, the curtain was raised for the second program of the night—Mehfil-e-Qawwali led by Jameel Ahmad and party comprising Sannawar Ali Khan (Tanpura), Mohammad Usman (Tabla), Shahrukh (Dholak), Kallan Khan Minai (Singer/Chorus), Moin (Keyboard), Mohammad Zaheb (Singer/Chorus) and Mohammad Rafi (Singer/Chorus). The audience clapped in sync as the supercharged atmosphere in the auditorium captivated everyone. Many people wrote lines of their choice on pieces of paper and handed them to Jameel to sing. He obliged them all. The Tabla genius, Mohammad Usman, enthralled everyone with his mimicry of an old steam engine on his Tabla. Everyone rose from their seats and gave the performers a round of thundering applause for making their night a memorable one. “I'm going to keep the memory of this wonderful night clenched to my heart for a long time,” a member of the audience said as everyone left for their homes. __
