Talking music
Hindustani singer, Suhas Vyas, will present two of his father CR Vyas’ compositions, as well as give a talk as part of the centenary celebrations
Hindustani singer and teacher, Suhas Vyas will perform in Bengaluru on invitation of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, which is organising the concert as a part of
Suhas’ late father CR Vyas’ centenary celebrations.
“It is almost 18 years since my last performance in Bengaluru,” says Suhas over the phone from Pune. “I felt like this city had forgotten me! I am honoured to perform at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan as my father was associated with the Mumbai branch for years. In fact, my father was instrumental in starting the music wing in 1948. All credit to the director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Suresh N and Nagalaskhmi K Rao for inviting me for my father’s centenary celebrations.”
Suhas will present Pandit CR Vyas’ compositions. “Two of his compositions — Dhanakoni Kalyan and Shivaranjani have become popular, with singers from Karnataka.” Suhas will also give a talk on his father’s work. “His contribution has been immense. Not only was he a great teacher, mentor and artiste, but was also trained in three gharanas of Hindustani music — Kirana, Gwalior and Agra. All his songs are compiled in a book, Raga Sarita. The first edition, with over 125 songs, was launched by Kumara Gandharva in 1984, while the second was released by Zakir Hussain, who has performed with my father many times.”
This year, Suhas says, is special. “To celebrate my father’s centenary year, we have planned free concerts across India all through the year. This is a fitting tribute to my father and his music.”
The centenary celebrations of the Padmabhushan awardee commenced on November 9, 2023 at his home town Osmanabad, in Sholapur. “It was a threeday event, where my father’s students, including me, performed. The second concert was at Mumbai’s Shanmukhananda Hall, where Parveen Sultana, Zakir Hussain, my brother, Satish Vyas, a santoor player and I performed.”
Learning from his father, involved two perspectives, says Suhas. “One as a father, the other as my guru. Though I came with a great legacy, he always told me I could not rest on his laurels, but needed to carve my own path. If as a father he was anxious about how I would survive as a fulltime singer, as my teacher, he always insisted I stay committed to music.”
Suhas will be accompanied by Kiran Yavagal on tabla and Vyas Murthy Katti on the harmonium.
Suhas will perform in Bengaluru on April 7 at 7pm at Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. The concert is open to all.