Shehnai Recital in Mt. Abu

Drenched in heady rains at the shores of the famous Love Lake Nakki,

Mount Abu, the soulful strains of raga Shuddh Sarang followed by a

Thumri in Bhairavi floated in the valley of the oldest mountain ranges

in the world, the Aravellies. It really glorified the teachers’ day

Not remembered by many, these banks have savored music of maestros for

decades. It indeed was one more feather in its cap to have the Shanker

Brothers, Sanjiv and Ashwani with their shehanaies, caressing the

valley and the souls of all the music aficionados gathered at St.

Joseph School Auditorium, right from school students to local

denizens. The concert was held under the aegis of SPICMACAY (Society

for promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture among Youth)

sub-chapter, Mount Abu, sponsored by Hotel Maganjis, St. Joseph

School, and espoused by Rotary Club of Mount Abu!

Shehnai, the king of flutes, albeit, has Persian genesis of its name,

is very much an Indian wind instrument wonder!  Rig Veda called it

‘Naadi’, while Matang saluted it as ‘Mahuvari’ and Sarang lovingly

accosted it as ‘Madukari’. The Mughals honored it with its present

Nomenclature.  About 100 years ago, shehnai was basically a folk

instrument and playing style was very limited. For example, the style

included folk songs from north India especially thumri, daadra,

chaiti, sohar, pujaiya, etc. Because of the efforts of the virtuoso

like Ustaad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Anant Lal, Pandit Daya Shankar the

dimension of shehnai playing was broadened with the introduction of

new technique and style, thus it has become very famous Indian

classical instrument.

Born in a family of musicians of Banaras gharana in which Shehnai &

flute are played for the last 450 years and over, Sanjeev & Ashwani

manifested their strong affinity towards music at the age of seven and

five. Their father Pt. Daya Shankar, himself an internationally

acclaimed Shehnai player boosted his sons’ blooming talent to flourish

with his personal inspiration and guidance.  Sanjeev & Ashwani also

had the privilege to learn Shehnai from their grandfather, the

legendary Shehnai player Pt. Anant Lal. After formal training in

pursuit of proficiency of the highest order both were awarded

scholarship by the Govt. of India, for their outstanding talent in the

field of music.

Dr. A. K. Sharma"

Ekant"Shivaji Marg

Mount Abu - 3075019414153221

912974238577