High music from Sangeeta

HER voice was heard from a distance as she sang the glories of Lord Krishna. With closed eyes, the multi-talented classical singer Sangeeta Jagdeo sat with her harmonium to perform devotional songs. She accomplishes the most difficult ragas with ease, the result of four years of training in India.  The daughter of the renowned music teacher, Deodath Ramlagan Jagdeo, Sangeeta, 27, has spent her entire life learning music. “I was born in a home where classical music was the order of the day,” said the Chase Village, Carapichaima resident.
 
The dholak (hand drums), harmonium and dhantal (steel instrument) surrounded her. At age three she was already singing the scales of music. She is versed in tabla, harmonium, vocals and the sitar. It was not difficult for her to master dance which she did as a side study while in India. She is a qualified khatak and bharat natyam dancer.  With her wealth of talent, Sangeeta will carry on the school of arts which her father founded more than 40 years ago.  Since her father died in 2003, she has been at the helm and some 300 students have registered at the Antar Rashtriya Sanakriti Pratishthaan Inc to learn music under her guidance.

About her mission she says, “I have worked hard through the years to accomplish the goals I set. I believe that a person is capable of doing a lot during their lifetime. Those who are fortunate to stick to art in music or vocal, not only gain popularity, but are able to live more fulfiled lives,” she said. Sangeeta is also one of the few TT women who holds diplomas both in Hindi and Sanskrit, which she speaks fluently. During her stay in India it was quite easy to communicate with her fellow students and professors. “I guess this is why I was able to excel in my studies within a quick time. While the others had to spend time translating, I was already practising my subjects,” she related.

Now pundits and other religious people approach her to  translate songs and religious chapters from the holy books. One of the most memorable moments in Sangeeta’s life remains the interview with Zee TV in India. Due to her academic brilliance she was invited as a guest. It was at a Bhojpuri conference in New Delhi, that Sangeeta appeared on the popular television news programme. She was asked about the fact that Indo-Trinidadians were able to preserve their culture through the years. “It is really amazing to them how the East Indian still held on to the highly spiritual culture that was kept by the indentured labourers. In fact many of them took me for a native Indian from India. It is only when I spoke they realised that I have a Caribbean accent,” she said.

“Our ancestors planted the seed of this ancient culture and language in TT and it grew into a tremendous tree with lovely flowers. And today even the people of India admire those who have been practising this culture,” she said. With much admiration for local musicians she says,  “While many did not study classical music they are able to play the notes as if they studied the art. It is just amazing how the various music groups and orchestras have such an excellent hold of the music of India.” She described her stay in India as exciting and exhausting: “I had to work at the art for more than 15 hours per day. It was a matter of getting the most out of the tuition given. Success really depended on the amount of work put in outside of the school hours.”

The more you delve into music the more you discover and the more you want to learn, she says. “Music came from the gods. An ancient art might be difficult to master, but for those who take the time to do so then they are transported to a different world. Music is a magnificent art that frees the soul from bondage. It elevates the soul to a higher region even while on earth,” she said. Sangeeta is now working of a magazine titled Dharmic Sangeet Patrika. This she hopes to publish on a quarterly basis. It will contain notes on music and dance, fashions, Indian cuisine, the politics of both India and Trinidad and Tobago, and a whole lot more. Sangeeta Jagdeo is versed in tabla, harmonium, and the sitar. She is also a qualified khatak and bharat natyam dancer.