MUMBAI: Pancham Nishad presents a musical tribute to tabla virtuoso Shafaat Ahmed Khan at Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Sabhagruha, 252, Veer Savarkar marg, Shivaji Park, Dadar on Monday, 24 July from 7 pm onwards. Entry to the concert is free.

The first session of the concert will commence with a solo performance by renowned Tabla Virtuoso Aneesh Pradhan accompanied by Sudhir Nayak on Harmonium. The concert will conclude with the vocal performance by renowned vocalist Devaki Pandit. She will be accompanied by Siddesh Bicholkar on Harmonium and Mandar Puranik on Tabla.

Shafaat Bhai, with his incredible ability as a performer had swayed the music and rhythm lovers spread across the globe with his nimble fingers moving on the tabla creating rhythmic yet melodious sound resonance which was nothing short of magic. He was one amongst those few who could bring out the beautiful melodic nuances in the rhythms of the tabla. It seems only apt that the memory of this amazing musician and personality remains alive eternally.

Pancham Nishad Creatives director Shashi Vyas says, “It was in 1981 that I heard Shafatbhai for the first time. He had been called to accompany the living legend Padma Vibhushan Birju Maharaj- world renowned Kathak dancer in the world. When the two of them commenced their performance, the two hours thereafter were sheer magic. The entire performance replete with extraordinary dance steps and movements were matched equally by extraordinary rhythmic beats played on tabla by Shafaatbhai creating a thrilling resonance seldom heard. I was completely mesmerized and spell bound during the amazing concert. The concert still is an unforgettable experience for me. This tribute is a small attempt on our part to honour the man and the musician for his exceptional contribution to the world of Indian music.”

The first session of the evening is a solo performance by Aneesh Pradhan (Tabla) a disciple of tabla maestro Pandit Nikhil Ghosh, Aneesh Pradhan is a leading tabla soloist and accompanist to vocal and instrumental music and dance. He has inherited from his guru a considerable repertoire of traditional tabla solo compositions from the Delhi, Ajrada, Lucknow, Farrukhabad and Punjab gharanas. A recipient of several awards, Aneesh is a popular performer for classical and intercultural music concerts at most prestigious concerts and festivals in the country and overseas.

The concert will be concluded by renowned vocalist Devaki Pandit. Born with melody in her voice and charm in her persona, Devaki has created magic through her scintillating performance in India and abroad. Having honed her skills to near perfection under the mentors like Gaansaraswati Kishoritai Amonkar and veteran vocalist Jitendra Abhisheki, She has developed her own unique style of singing.

The event promises to be the one worth remembering as two artistes will showcase their immense talent commemorating the maestro Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan.