a morning with padma talwalkar {poster PDF}

Emory University - White Hall (which is about as white as the walls of my room -- which are not white, just in case you were wondering). Saturday, August 31, 2003. 0900. Perfect synchronization, great improvisation. What more can one ask for? Usha Balakrishnan, a student of Padma-taai lent tanpura and vocal support (and their voices in unison rung wonderfully), Milind Pote (again) on tabla had studied under Pt Padma-taai's husband Pandit Suresh Talwalkar and Saugata Bannerjee on Harmonium, are on the faculty of the Pandit Jasraj School of Music in Atlanta. With such strong links, a splendid time was guaranteed for all. Ahir Bhairav, Jaunpurii, Bilaawal, Khamaaj. A Ganapati bhajan in Lalat, in response to a request for something on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturtii. She then politely asked, "can I sing a Marathi bhajan?". Considering that most of the audience was ghaaTii, this was a mere formality, and Padma-taai combined the practice of ending with Bhairavii with this request, giving us a rousing rendition of vaikunThiichyaa raayaa. Probably the closest I got to celebrating any festival in the US of A.