Various 2021 events part 1

In 2021, we were able to have more shows, but the ever-present risk of a snap lockdown meant most plans were entered into knowing that cancellation was always a chance. Queensland Sangeet Mela Association, whose launch concert was "The Last Concert" pre-Covid, started putting on small events, some of which were affected either by cancellation or lineup change. 

• Sat 13 Feb Ilkley: Sri Purandara Das Aradhana - Susmitha Ravi with Shen 
   This event was organised by a Hindu spiritual association and held in the gardens of a home in Sunshine Coast hinterland. I accompanied Carnatic devotional vocal performances by Susmitha Ravi and her students.
  
  
• Sat 27 Feb Mt Gravatt E: QSMA Indian Classical Concert & AGM feat. Darshil Shah (bansuri) with Shen
   The first Qld Sangeet Mela Association AGM concert featured tabla solo by my senior student Arun Pillai (harmonium by Nikhil Deo), followed by bansuri recital by Darshil Shah with myself on tabla.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Sat 24 Apr New Farm: Festival of Tibet 2021
   Tibet2Timbuk2 joined in a huge concert entitled "PRAYER FOR PEACE - Brisbane Sings For Tibet", in the main auditorium of Brisbane Powerhouse for Festival of Tibet 2021 with a huge host of renowned Brisbane popular vocalists. 
  
   
  

  
  Tibet2Timbuk2 at Brisbane Powerhouse

  
  

  
  Tibet2Timbuk2 with all-star choir singing "Aum Mani Padme Hum"
  
  
• Fri 28 May Kelvin Grove: Unite for India | Sunsets @ La Boite
   At this time the Delta variant of Covid was rampaging through India so a coalition of Indian classical artists led by Charulatha Mani put on this fundraising event. I brought in Tenzin Choegyal and we had a nice jam session with Charulatha-ji. 
  
  
  
• Sat 26 Jun Mt Gravatt E: Shishir Sangeet - Indian Classical Sitar & Vocal Concert
   I had planned this QSMA concert to host sitarist Saikat Bhattacharya from Melbourne, but Melbourne had a snap lockdown and he couldn't travel to Queensland. Fortunately local sitar maestro Dr Indranil Chatterjee was ready to step in and gave a beautiful performance. Opening vocal item was by Dr Mansey Gandhi with harmonium by Joseph Nand. Overall it was a wonderful evening of classical music by some of Brisbane's best artists.
  
  
  Vocal by Dr Mansey Gandhi with Shen on tabla and Joseph Nand on harmonium
  
  
  
  Shen in the accompaniment mood
  
  
  
  Dr Indranil Chatterjee (sitar)
  
  

  
  QSMA crew and artists