Question 1 Imagine the famous singer Kishori Amonkar is going to visit your school. You have been asked to introduce her to the audience before her performance. How would you introduce her? Here is some information about Kishori Amonkar you can find on the Internet. Read the passage and make notes of the main points about: • her parentage • the school of music she belongs to • her achievements • her inspiration • awards Padma Bhushan Kishori Amonkar, widely considered the finest female vocalist of her generation, was born in 1931, daughter of another great artist, Smt. Mogubai Kurdikar. In her early years she absorbed the approach and repertoire of her distinguished mother’s teacher Ustad Alladiya Khan. As her own style developed, however, she moved away from Alladiya Khan’s ‘Jaipur-Atrauli gharana’ style in some respects, and as a mature artist her approach is usually regarded as an individual, if not unique, variant of the Jaipur model. Kishori Amonkar is a thinker, besotted by what she calls the mysterious world of her raagas. She dissects them with the precision of a perfectionist, almost like a scientist, until the most subtle of shades and emotions emerge and re-emerge. She is very much inspired by the teachings of the ancient Vedic sages, written at a time when vocal music was highly devotional in character. This soul searching quality of her music, coupled with a very intellectual approach to raaga performance has gained her quite a following in India and has helped to revive the study of khayal. Significant awards bestowed on this artist include the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1985), the Padma Bhushan (1987), and the highly coveted Sangeet Samradhini Award (considered one of the most prestigious awards in Indian Classical Music) in 1997.
Class 9 - English - The Sound of Music Page 28
Answers
Today, it is my pleasure to have amongst us here, Miss. Kishori Amonkar, the finest female vocalist of her generation. Born to one of India's music legends Mogubai Kudikar, Amonkar is a disciple of Sir. Ustad Alladiya Khan. Though trained by him in the 'Jaipur-Atrauli gharana' she soon moved onto explore music in her own individual ways. She is both intellectual and emotional in her approach to music. Inspired by Vedic teachings, her music has a soul-searching effect to it. She has been awarded the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Sangeet Samradhini Award, India's most prestigious awards in music.
Let me please welcome you on stage to speak a few words, ma'am.
Notes on Kishori Amonkar
• Born in 1931 to artist Smt. Mogubbai Kurdikarher style, a variant of the Jaipur school of music, is unique and individual
• Explores the world of raagas to recreate the subtle shades of emotions
• Inspired by the teachings from the ancient devotional Vedic teachings
• Won several honours and awards like the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1985), the Padma Bhushan (1987) and the highly coveted Sangeet Samradhini Award (1997)
(A model answer has been provided for students' reference. It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer using their own understanding.)
Good morning teachers, students and everyone else present over here.
Today, it is my pleasure to have amongst us here, miss. Kishori Amonkar, the finest female vocalist of her generation. born to one of india's music legends mogubai kudikar, amonkar is a disciple of sir. ustad alladiya khan. though trained by in the 'jaipur-atrauli gharana' she soon moved onto explore music in her own individual ways. she is both intellectual and emotional in her approach to music. inspired by vedic , her music has a soul- effect to it. she has been awarded the padma shri, padma bhushan, sangeet natak akademi award and sangeet award, india's most prestigious awards in music.
Let me welcome you on stage to speak a few words, ma'am.