SPOTLIGHT
A RESONANT VOICE TRANSCENDS BOUNDARIES
On Saturday, September 13, Raag-Mala Toronto will bring revered raag sangeet vocalist Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar to the stage at the beautiful Aga Khan Museum’s Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium in Toronto.
By SAMIDHA JOGLEKAR
As I approach the packed entrance of the hall where the baithak is taking place, the buzz of anticipation is immediate – I know I’ll need to push my way in to secure a seat.
The night offers the rare privilege of hearing, in person, one of the most popular and revered vocalists in raag sangeet: Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar. It’s 2005 in Pune, India – a city renowned as a cultural hub of Raag Sangeet – and I am spending the year deeply immersed in Indian classical music, living with extended family, and continually travelling between Mumbai and Pune to pursue my studies.
My uncle, a devoted fan, has spent the whole day effusively sharing his admiration for Aratiji, insisting he would travel to the ends of the earth just to hear her sing. She is, without question, his favourite singer. Yet, words fail to capture what this chance means to me as well – to witness her artistry first-hand is both a personal milestone and a musical dream come true.
By this time, her recordings were already a mainstay in my learning as a student. My guruji, Shree Narendra Datar, who studied with the same guru as Aratiji and knows her from that era, frequently urged us to listen closely to her music. Whenever we struggled with understanding the intricate “chalan” (melodic movement) of a raag, he would recommend Aratiji’s renditions as essential listening. I found myself immersed in her renditions of Maru Bihag, Jogkauns, Madhukauns, not to mention her bhajans and Marathi songs. Her approach to Brindabani Sarang was particularly transformative for my own learning – I listened, intent on unravelling the thought behind her graceful aalaps, the nuanced choices of notes, and the inventive patterns of her taans. The brilliance of her artistry, her superb command and imagination, was unmistakable and endlessly inspiring.
Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar’s place among the finest voices in raag sangeet is undisputed. Her foundational training with Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni of the Agra-Gwalior gharana gave her early exposure to two of India’s most prominent vocal traditions. She then honed her craft under the legendary Vidushi Kishori Amonkar of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, absorbing subtleties and emotional depth that define this lineage. Later, she continued her studies with Pandit Dinkar Kaikini (Agra) and Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar of the Gwalior gharana, expanding her repertoire and deepening her musical sensibilities.
Aratiji is celebrated for the profound depth of her renditions, and for her remarkable ability to weave diverse stylistic influences into a cohesive, personal voice.
When I heard Aratiji live in concert in Pune twenty years ago, I was mesmerized, sharing in the collective awe with the audience as her resonant voice filled the hall. To display creativity within the strict contours of raag sangeet is a rare achievement. Here, Aratiji truly stands apart: her music not only fulfills the highest expectations of traditional and purist listeners but does so with flashes of boldness, innovation, and originality. Her fearless imagination surprises, delights, and offers clear evidence of a brilliant artistic vision.
Music lives and breathes in the space between singer and audience. On September 13, Raag-Mala Toronto will bring Aratiji to the stage at the beautiful Aga Khan Museum’s Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium.
Don’t miss your chance to experience in community a concert that promises unforgettable moments and unparalleled artistry. Let her resonant voice of boundless creativity leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind – just as it did for me 20 years ago and continues to do today.
• Samidha Joglekar is a Raag-Mala Toronto volunteer, former Board Member, and lifelong student of Raag Sangeet.
When and Where: Saturday, September 13, Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium, Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Drive, Toronto. Details and tickets: www.agakhanmuseum.org.