I watched classical performers at Sawai Gandharva Mahotsava this year. This was the first time I saw live performances. I could only manage to be there on Saturday evening when Piyu Sarkhel, Sujata Mohopatra and Pt. Rajan and Sajan Misra performed. All three of them performed really well. Sujata Mohopatra’s Odissi performance deserves special mention! Pt. Misra brothers were good as usual.

One felt the noticeable difference in crowd attention between good performances and average performances (there are no bad performances usually at Sawai). Pt. Misra were totally in control of the 10000+ crowd. Everybody wanted to soak in the brilliant jugalbandi. I for one don’t really understand the classical nitty-gritty however, it was definitely pleasing to ears.

Owing to my new apartment community meeting, I could not attend Sunday’s session when Pt. Hariprasad was slated to perform. He is one performer who never disappoints. 🙁

Btw, 2005 was only the second year when Pt. Bhimsen Joshi could not sing at Sawai.