29122024-LSTC-01.qxd 12/29/2024 12:14 AM Page 1 c m y b OPEN TO COLLABORATION A joint album between Eminem and 50 Cent may soon become a reality, as the two rappers recently expressed their openness about collaborating on a fulllength project. During Eminem’s recent appearance on a chat show, he shared his thoughts on working with 50 Cent once again. TRIBUNE Third season Life National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee has wrapped up the shooting for the third season of the superhit streaming show The Family Man. CHANDIGARH | SUNDAY | 29 DECEMBER 2024 The Mallick brothers, Prashant and Nishant, who performed in Jalandhar, uphold Darbhanga’s intricate Dhrupad legacy PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH Aparna Banerji I N the vast ocean of Dhrupad, they sail on their family’s 13 generations worth of musical wisdom and a passionate love for the medieval saints, who sung delicate paeans to Krishna in the Braj heartland. At the 149th Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar, as the young brothers, Pt Prashant (42) and Pt Nishant Mallick (37), unfolded the Darbhanga-Senia traditions of Mithilanchal, they spoke about their roots, journey and the intricacies of Dhrupad tradition. In 2020, they performed at the Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan during the pandemic amidst vaccine mandates and strict social distancing protocols. This year, they were greeted with an intense rainy spell! Rooted in the soil of Bihar, they carry a piece of generational wealth at all times—a diary listing all their painstakingly collected verses from Mithila’s folk verses, to Gurbani; Meera, Surdas, Kabir and the poetry of Braj’s Ashtchaap (eight seals) saints. Tune of the soil AS THE TRADITION GOES On the history of the Darbhanga Dhrupad music, they say, “Darbhanga Gharana is connected to the Senia tradition, which is essentially Tansen’s legacy. It is about 450 to 500 years old. Our ancestors were court musicians, legends, vaggeyakars (those who employ both verse and music in their DHRUPAD IS A BIG TREE. compositions) and kalavants CAN YOU ADD ANYTHING TO (artistes), in royal courts. Our AN OCEAN OR THE SKY? great grandfather Pt Ram Chattur Mallick was the last DARBHANGA GHARANA IS court singer. At that time, CONNECTED TO THE SENIA musical practices were culTRADITION, WHICH IS tured, nuanced and took place ESSENTIALLY TANSEN’S in mehfils (congregations). This is LEGACY. an era of Youtube and Spotify. People don’t want to attend concerts even while being in the same city. But the rasa (juice) of music is in a pandal. That souful connection with an artiste can’t be established through Youtube. “Tansen banne se pehle ‘Kansen’ banna zaroori hai (before we become Tansen, it is essential we be a good ❝ listener).” In the court singing, Dhrupad used to be sung in certain ancient and traditional, ceremonial ragas. “It has four stages of bandishes—sthayi, antara, sanchari and abhog. And it is sung in padas (literary compositions) by our legendary poets.” Speaking on challenges to retain the ancient glory of Dhrupad, they share, “Today we see that sometimes in the name of simplifying Dhrupad, we make it so plain that it seems like a khayal bandish. Whatever be the raga, Dhrupad is best savoured in traditional form. A lot of places still generously propagate Dhrupad. Many good artistes in the discipline continue to thrive. There are many Dhrupad Samarohs (events), the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi and Doordarshan do their bit to promote it and there are festivals dedicated to it in Kolkata and Benares, which has a 50year-old Dhrupad fair.” VAST EXPERIENCE The brothers have explored the poetry and padas (verses) of Meera, Kabir, Soor Das, and Tulsidas, all medieval poets, as also 15th to 17th century poets and saints like Swami Muktanand, Premanand and Devanand, who served Lord Swami Narayan. “From the Sikh tradition, we are incorporating Gurbani verses into bandishes of rare ragas like Jaitsree, Devgandhari and Jaijaiwanti. One such a project, we will also be shooting at a Gurdwara in Agra,” they say. Speaking on folk and Ashtchaap poets, they add, “We come from Mithilanchal in Bihar. At Darbhanga, Vidypati was a renowned poet. In the Maithili script, there are many verses from Mithilanchal, which are sung by people and are also employed for Dhrupad. The Ashtchaap were eight poets from Braj region whose creations are sung in the Dhrupad tradition and Haveli singing traditions of the Braj land of Mathura and Vrindavan. Hailing from Braj region, spanning 84 kos (a kos comprises 1 to 3 miles), these poets were Swami Surdas, Kumbhandas, Krishnadas, Govind Das, Paramanandas, Chitasvami, Chaturbhujdas and Nanda Das.” Dhrupad being a very strict musical discipline, does it allow room for experiment? “Dhrupad is a big tree. Can you add anything to an ocean or the sky? Dhrupad has no limitations, it is already complete with all colours. If we can even master some ragas in Dhrupad, it’s God’s blessing. We haven’t dabbled into fusions but have mixed genres—Dhrupad and Carnatic. Though I don’t think we can employ the banjo, guitar and drum vibe into our music,” they say. FUTURE WISE As for the future of their legacy, they share, “Sangeet vidya aadi se dev kaal tak nirantar behti rahi hai—aise hi behti rahegi (musical wisdom has flown for centuries and will continue to flow). There can’t be another artiste like the ones who are gone. But we are very certain a legend will be produced in every generation. Seniors have scattered their knowledge to countless disciples. This is meant to be bestowed and shared. It’s not ours. We also got it from somewhere. Its value increases with sharing.” ALVIDA 2024 A S 2024 draws to a close, one standout trend in Bollywood was the rise of female actresses portraying strong, resilient characters in uniform. These roles, ranging from police to Army officers, allowed them to break stereotypes, step into action-heavy roles and bring inspiring narratives to life. Here’s a closer look at the actresses who ruled the OTT and silver screen this year with their commanding portrayals in uniform. DISCIPLINED OFFICER Kritika Kamra, Gyaarah Gyaarah Kritika Kamra delivered one of her career’s most compelling performances as a no-nonsense police officer in Gyaarah Gyaarah. Shilpa Shetty This time-bending thriller showcased Kritika investigating a web of mysterious crimes, connecting the past, present and future events. Known for her sharp screen presence, Kritika took on the challenge of playing a character deeply entrenched in law enforcement with finesse. Her transformation into a disciplined cop—complete with combat training and an intense physical transformation—earned her widespread acclaim. Her portrayal brought authenticity and emotional depth to the role, highlighting the resilience and vulnerability of those in uniform. With Gyaarah Gyaarah, Kritika proved she is ready to take Kritika Kamra Saiyami Kher Kajol Here’s a look at Bollywood actresses who donned the uniform on screen Breaking stereotypes on more complex and challenging roles. HIGH FLYING Deepika Padukone, Fighter Deepika Padukone returned to the big screen with Fighter, playing an Indian Air Force pilot alongside Hrithik Roshan. Deepika’s character was a powerful representation of women breaking barriers in male-dominated fields. Her journey in the film—from rigorous flight training sequences to emotional moments dealing with the pressures of being in the defense forces—showcased her range as an actor. Deepika underwent intensive preparation for the role, including time spent with real-life pilots to understand their discipline and dedication. Fighter not only reaffirmed her status as one of Bollywood’s leading ladies but also celebrated the valour of women in the armed forces. c m y b COP STORY Kajol, Do Patti Kajol stunned audiences with her gritty and intense portrayal of a police officer in Do Patti. The film, a gripping investigative drama, explored themes of justice and morality, with Kajol’s character leading a highstakes case. Known for her powerhouse performances, Kajol infused her character with determination and emotional complexity, making her a force to reckon with. Her ability to balance the professional and personal struggles of her role added layers to the narrative, making Do Patti a standout film of the year. This performance was a reminder of Kajol’s unparalleled ability to command the screen with her sheer talent. FIRE IN THE BELLY Saiyami Kher, Agni Saiyami Kher’s portrayal of a fire-fighter turned actionheroine in Agni marked another feather in her cap. After impressing audiences with her versatility in previous roles, Saiyami embraced the physically demanding role with a passion that shone through every frame. The film, a high-octane action drama, showcased Saiyami performing death-defying stunts. Her deep commitment to the role, which included rigorous fitness routines was evident, making Agni one of the most memorable films of 2024. Saiyami’s performance was a testament to her dedication, establishing her as a powerhouse talent in Bollywood. IN THE ACTION ZONE Shilpa Shetty, Indian Police Force Shilpa Shetty made a remarkable comeback as a Deepika Padukone fearless and dedicated police officer in Rohit Shetty’s web series Indian Police Force. The actionpacked series saw Shilpa performing high-octane stunts and hand-to-hand combat sequences, redefining the action genre for female actors in Bollywood. Shilpa’s fitness and agility were on full display, earning her praise from critics and fans alike. Beyond the action, her portrayal also delved into the emotional toll of working in a law enforcement agency, making her character relatable and inspiring. With the Indian Police Force, Shilpa Shetty cemented her place as an actress who continues to evolve and take on dynamic roles.