Three of India’s most celebrated classical musicians came together for an unforgettable evening of music as the Tagore Society Singapore, in collaboration with SIFAS Productions, presented Trinaad – Confluence of Rhythm and Flow at the RELC Auditorium on July 10.
The concert featured three-time Grammy Award-winning violin maestro Pandit L. Shankar, santoor virtuoso Tarun Bhattacharya and acclaimed tabla exponent Mithilesh Kumar Jha in a performance that seamlessly bridged the Hindustani and Carnatic traditions of Indian classical music.
Rather than simply presenting a series of compositions, the trio engaged in a captivating musical dialogue where melody, rhythm and improvisation flowed effortlessly between them. Their intuitive understanding of one another transformed technical brilliance into an emotionally rich performance that kept the audience spellbound throughout the evening.
A major highlight was Pandit Shankar’s revolutionary double violin, an instrument he designed himself, whose expansive sound blended beautifully with the shimmering resonance of Pandit Tarun’s santoor and the intricate rhythmic patterns woven by Pandit Mithilesh on the tabla. The resulting jugalbandi showcased the depth, versatility and timeless appeal of Indian classical music.
The concert drew music lovers from across Singapore, including members of several Indian cultural organisations, reaffirming the city-state’s growing reputation as a destination for world-class cultural performances.
Fashion designer and entrepreneur Urbi Basu Julka described the evening as a rare artistic experience.
“The jugalbandi was a conversation without words. It was trust, spontaneity and mutual respect woven into music. Witnessing Pandit L. Shankar, Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya and Pandit Mithilesh Kumar Jha create that magic together was a rare and unforgettable experience,” she said.
Homemaker Gayathri M was equally impressed by the musicians’ virtuosity.
“The programme from beginning to end was so charming. There was no time to think. The way they played, they seemed superhuman. Their hands raced over their instruments, and my friends and I couldn’t have asked for more. It was a brilliant performance,” she said.
Among the audience was Dubai-based banker Shyam Bhardwaj, who was visiting his brother in Singapore.
“The programme was far beyond what we had expected. Even after the concert, the respected artists patiently obliged everyone with photographs and selfies. Not only Pandit L. Shankar but all three artists were incredibly humble and gracious with the audience,” he said.
