A recital opens with an Ālap-systematic unfolding of a raag (a melodic framework) sung over the drone instrument Tanpura, where the musical notes are pronounced through vowels derived from Sanskrit chanting ‘Hari Om Anant Narayan’. Compositions, mainly in Sanskrit are sung towards the later half of the concert with the taal (rhythmic framework) accompaniment provided by the Pakhawa (barrel-shaped ancient Indian drum). Predominately devotional, spiritual, and meditative, many of the texts are about human values, life philosophy, nature, and yoga.

A recital culminates with upaj (improvisation) where the artists engage in spontaneous musical conversations moving away from the fixed structure of composition improvising melodically, rhythmically as well as emotionally.

Dr. Sumeet Anand Pandey-Sumeet is one of India's most promising Dhrupad singers belonging to the Darbhanga tradition, nearly 350 years old family tradition of music from North Bihar in India. He received initial training for 10 years from his grandfathers Shri Birendra Mohan Pandey and Pandit Siyaram Tiwari and later advanced training from Pandit Abhay Narayan Mallick under Guru-Shishya tradition for 14 years. His concerts broadcast on All India Radio (AIR) New Delhi and he is regularly invited to perform at major music festivals across India.

An empanelled artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) he has also had Dhrupad recitals in Berlin, The Hague, London, Prague, Budapest, Madrid and Paris. He released his debut album titled Morning Meditation: Dhrupad of Darbhanga Tradition on Naxos World in 2020.

Alexis Weisgerber (Pakhawaj accompaniment): Alexis plays both Tabla and Pakhawaj that he is studying with Shubh Maharaj (Benaras Tradition) and Mohan Shyam Sharma (Nathdwara Tradition), respectively.

Based in the West of France, he accompanies several musicians and dancers in France and Europe, in diverse genres (Khayal, Dhrupad, Kathak, and Odissi).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfAH6uVTo00

Samples and videos