The almost all-female audience was enthusiastic. A few males dotted the large auditorium erected for the XI National Conference on Women’s Studies. After three days of intense involvement, the participants were keen to share in the artistry of the mother-daughter duo, Minoti Khaund and Sunita Bhuyan, violinists who have earned a place in Hindustani Classical Music in India. The concert on 5 th May at 8:30 pm began with Sunita’s deeply emotional dedication which set the tone for the subtle explorations of musical themes.

The exchange of voices between mother and daughter, the delicate nuances and the sound pictures they evoked completely captivated the audience. For me, with my strictly western classical background, new windows were opened into beautiful emotional landscapes that evolved from the central melody. The evocative depth was very transcendental. In their hands, the violins were not instruments but voices to express the serenity of the Divine. The audience surrendered completely to the spiritual transportation.

Praffula Athalye, the disciple of Ustad Zakir Hussain, sat in reverential silence during the performance of the opening item. His tabla playing for the rest of the concert was a revelation of what the instrument could express. The cascade of notes, the tonal variety, the intricate patterns of the beats created an amazing integration. The dexterity of his fingers and his virtuosity explored the delicate shades of expression. The constant eye contact between him and the two ladies established a rapport that unified the creative process.

The secret of success of any trio is their ability to respond and reflect back what each one is doing to produce the oneness of sound. Any competent musician can play notes but the harmony of soul is achieved only by the greatest musicians who humbly acknowledge and respect the contributory genius of each other. Their “oneness” involved us all.

At the end of the concert, the comments flowed freely, appreciation straight from the heart for music making that touched the soul.

Their musical lineage is prestigious. The Late Pandit V.G. Jog’s expertise lives in his disciples. Minoti is a gold medallist, has a masters degree in music and is visiting faculty, conducting classical music workshops and writing in journals and newspapers. Sunita also has a masters degree and is the recipient of the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshni Award for Music. Sunita conducts workshops on music appreciation and communication skills.

Sunita plays on many strings. Her ability to perform light music and explore jazz, folk, fusion and popular music was demonstrated at the special three violinists concert at the Gonsalves mansion on 4 th May evening. It was a jazz-oriented audience and Sunita’s versatility came to the fore. Praffula’s tabla playing swept the audience away.

Sanya Cotta’s “farewell” performance of Bach’s “Chaccone” on the eve of her departure to Germany for further studies drew enthusiastic praise. The audience was completely enthralled by the fluency of her bowing, her technical assurance, her tonal variety and sustained intensity of playing. Sunita, her mother Minoti and Harikumar, violinists of note, marvelled at the depth of interpretation.

Harikumar, well-known to jazz audiences in Goa, rushed down with his new band to participate in the violin fest. He has taken huge strides towards violin mastery, his passionate goal. He now holds the violin in the western mode and scales greater virtuosic heights in the footsteps of his hero, Paganini, and his mentor, Subramanian. Passion has softer corners and subtle shadings. These tend to elude him in his rush towards technical supremacy but he promises to incorporate these in his performances. His constant pursuit of the ultimate will take him far.

Goa, host to this violinistic diversity, looks forward to the return of these inspired violinists and wishes them far greater achievements in their passionate quest for mastery of the instrument.