Dehradun- 27 April 2022- The 13th day of Virasat set off with a Heritage Treasure Hunt. 5 schools and 140 students participated in the event. The Treasure Hunt comprised groups of 5 students each who had to decode 8 clues hidden across multiple stalls to win the competition. The participating schools were Doon International School, Olympus High School, St. Kabeer Academy, Whizzkid International School Haridwar, and Jaswant Modern School. Jaswant Modern School bagged the First and the Third Prize, while Doon
International School won the Second Prize.
The competition raised awareness amongst the students about the various stalls in Virasat and increased their knowledge about each state and their culture. At night, Pandit Jayateerth Mevundi performed. He is an Indian classical vocalist of the Kirana Gharana. Jayateerth was born in Hubli, Karnataka. He was brought up in a musical environment and was encouraged by his mother, Sudhabai, who was fond of singing Purandara Dasa Kritis. Pandit Jayateerth Mevundi is one of Kirana Gharana’s leading vocalists. He is an ‘A Top’ graded artist at All India Radio. His initial training began at home, informally singing bhajans and other devotional music. Aged 14, he ventured out to find a guru. He received instruction from Pandit Arjunsa Nakod for over a
decade and later trained with Shripati Padigar, a disciple of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. Pandit Bhimsen Joshiji greatly influenced him with the strong incorporation of ideas from Carnatic music and a rich abhang repertoire. He continues to take an eclectic, spiritual approach to classical music. Jayteerth Ji’s first presentation was Raga Puriya Dhanaaahri, “Araj suno meri…”. Followed by “Javo jabi sajna nirmohi…” and Raga bhinna gandhar. Later, Naviin Gandharv played the ‘Belabaharr’ along with his band, ‘ANURAAJ’. Belabaharr’s invention by Pt. Babulal Gandharv is a gift to the music world & pride of Indians.
The Belabaharr is a unique instrument that combines the tonal effect resembling a Sarangi with the convenience of a Violin; simultaneously, it has its Identity created by the thoughts of the former instruments. The Belabaharr has been a substitute for most bowing instruments like Dilruba, Tar-shehnai, Ravanhatta, Violin and Sarangi. Undoubtedly it is the most modern form of bow instrument with maximum facilities for any form of music.
Naviin Gandharv is the one young multi–talented musician who plays the unique instrument called ‘Belabaharr’ & the Tabla with equal passion and skill with his distinct style, which is a typical blend of the traditional & creative music developed from his mentors- legendary Ustad Allarakha & Pt. Babulal Gandharv (the creator of the ‘Belabaharr’). He is from Dewas, Madhya Pradesh being born in the aristocratic family of Pt. Kashiram, a celebrated Sarangi Master. He did initial training in tabla from his Nanaji Pt. Mansingh, Pt. Vishwanath Mishra & later trained in Punjab Gharana from tabla wizard Ustad Allarakha.
Though he loves the tabla, he has decided to concentrate on the ‘Belabaharr’ equally to keep alive his father’s legacy with the best of his efforts. He has won many national and international awards for his talent. He has been awarded Taal Mani from Sursingar Samsad, Shrinathji Samman from Sangeet Nritya Mandal Dewas M.P. Naviin’s band ‘ANURAAJ’ is a product of his efficiency in Belabaharr & Tabla, which is the only one of its kind, Anuraaj is a platform for highly talented youngsters of Indian classical music with a vision to take Indian music art to the highest level in the world.
Apart from his solo concert, Naviin with his band, Rural Entrepreneurship for Art & Cultural Heritage, He has previously performed in Virasat, Dehradun and was extremely happy to perform here again as he feels that the music loving audience of Dehradun is one of the best. He played the amalgamation of the Indian classical and western on Belabaharr and Tabla.
The other artists performing with him are Azhar Ahmad, and Soham Parale.on Tabla, Dinesh Solanki on Soprano along with his brother Devanand Gandharv on Keyboard. REACH was established in 1995 in Dehradun and has continued to organize the Virasat Festival ever since. Their aim is simply to preserve the value and essence of Indian art, culture and heritage and to bring these cultural values to the masses. Virasat has been instrumental in reviving many rural arts which were once on the verge of extinction due to a lack of an audience. The festival has played an essential role in preserving and reviving our village’s traditions, music, dance, crafts, painting, sculpture, theatre, storytelling, traditional cuisine, etc. and bringing them into practice in these modern times, because of which our classical and contemporary arts have started being recognized once again.
