1st World Harmonium Summit begins

In a first of its kind, the Bijapure Harmonium Foundation is holding the World Harmonium Summit on 5th, 6th and 7th of January 2018 in Bengaluru. This event commemorates the birth centenary of legendary harmonium maestro Pt. Rambhau Bijapure, who was born in Belgaum in 1917. He passed away in 2010.

The harmonium has an interesting history — though conceived of in Europe, it gained popularity as an accompanying instrument to vocalists in India. In 1875, a Calcutta based instrument-maker modified it, replacing the foot pedals with a hand moved bellows. Thus the instrument could now be played sitting down, as per the Indian tradition in classical music, plus in size the harmonium became less than half its size, so it became easy to move around, at different concerts. It swiftly became very popular. In fact, India started manufacturing harmoniums on a large scale and by 1915 was apparently one of the largest manufacturers in the world! In India, the instrument came to be called “baja” (musical instrument) or “peti” (box).

Later, in the 1940s the harmonium as an accompanying instrument was banned by All India Radio from 1940 to 1971, but the instrument remained in use and today there are more harmonium exponents than sarangi players, the other accompanying instrument. This is despite the physical limitations of the instrument in the context of Indian classical music (there are no shrutis (micro tones) or meends) (glide from note to note possible).

One of the finest harmonium players in recent history was said to be Bhaiya Sahib Ganpat Rao of Gwalior. (He was the son of a Maharaja and a singer in the Gwalior court). The other great harmonium player in North India was Raja Nawab Ali of Akbarpur (he had the title of Raja as he was a zamindar of Akbarpur in UP). It is said they could practically play a “meend” on their harmoniums. Today most of the best harmonium players are from Maharashtra; perhaps the expansive vocal tradition there has spurred the interest in the instrument.

Dr Arawind Thatte

The three day event  in Bengaluru features harmonium recitals in Carnatic, Hindustani, and Western styles, and includes solo and duet, and ensemble concerts. There will also be lecture demonstrations, and the screening of a documentary film on Pt Rambhau Bijapure, who it is said had taught more than 10000 students the harmonium.

Prominent artists include Vidwan P. Paramshivan, Padmashri PanditTulasidas Borkar, Dr Arawind Thatte, Dr. Sudhanshu Kulkarni, Pandit Vishvanath Kanhere, Pandit Sudhir Pote, Dr Vinay Mishra, Sri Suvendu Banerjee, Vid. Palladam Venkataramana Rao, and Dr Dinkar Sharma.

The programme is organized in association with the Academy of Music, Chowdiah Memorial hall, Bengaluru; M/s Kamath & Kamath, Bengaluru and the Culture Department, Government of Karnataka.