Karkala: Sitarist Ustad Rafique Khan charms Belman

R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala

Karkala, Jul 25: Internationally renowned sitarist Ustad Rafique Khan mesmerized the audience with his soulful music accompanied by Trichi  K R Kumar on ghatam, P K Santosh from Kannur on morching, Rajesh Bhagavat from Mulky on table, and renowned guitarist Rajgopal.

The event was held at St Joseph Higher Primary School, Belman on Wednesday July 24. The venue was packed with students.

The programme was jointly organized by Sangeetha Bharathi Pratishtana of Mangalore and Pambur’s ‘Parichaya’ forum.

The students sat in rapt attention even as they were treated to a variety of songs like 'Saare Jahan se Achcha' to 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara' and many more for over two hours. The jugalbandi created by the various artistes charmed the young audience. At the end of it, the students took home the memorable experience of watching and listening to a maestro live in action, something that would cherish for the rest of their lives.

Ustad Rafique Khan briefed about Indian musical instruments, their sounds and gave a demo.

“Learning to play musical instrument is necessary for proper mental balance. Due to the present electronic media, classical music and traditional instruments losing value. Passing over this rich tradition to future generation is the need of the hour and a small attempt has been made by organizing this programme,” he said.

Belman church parish priest and convenor of St Joseph educational institutions, Fr Lawrence B D'Souza, Karkala zone educational officer Ravishankar Rao, physical education officer, Babu Poojary, area resource person Jayanthi Shetty, Belman Jaycee president Raghunath Nayak Punaroor, Belman gram panchayat former president Mallika Rao, Alwyn Neri Pinto of Belman Rotary, secretary of district primary school teachers association Lakshmikanth Bhat, teachers and parents were present.

PRO of ‘Parichaya’ organization B Pundalika Marate sponsored the programme.

Anil D’Sa welcomed. Headmistress Sr Monica welcomed the artistes by offering flowers.

Chief secretary Prakash Noronha Pamboor, member Lucas D’Souza Pamboor were present.

Fr Lawrence honoured Ustad Rafique Khan and co-artists by offering shawl, memento and garland. He lauded them for the programme.

Ustad Rafique Khan was born in Dharwad into an illustrious family of accomplished musicians belonging to the Gwalior Gharana. His father, the late Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, was a distinguished sitarist of his time, while his grandfather, the late 'Sitar Ratna' Ustad Rahimat Khan was accredited for adding the base octave in the sitar. He won the prestigious 'Sur Mani Award' from Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai, at the young age of 23 years, and All India Radio has rated him as a top ranking artiste and has broadcast his recitals on its national programmes. He is the first sitarist to be awarded top grade from South India.