"EVOKING AN USTAD'S SPIRIT" - The Indian Post - Mumbai
The star of the evening was Kankana Banerjee, the popular vocalist and a direct disciple of Ustad Amir Khan. She sang a composition in the raag Bagheshree set to taal Jhumra. Singing in a sweet voice, Kankana Banerjee captivated the hearts of the listeners with her charming exposition of the melody. The build-up was gradual. An atmosphere of solemnity and tranquility pervaded her presentation. The 'bandish' and its interpretation were a little importance to the singer. She concentrated on the elaboration of the raag. Banerjee also sang short khayals in Hansadhawani and Shahana. The composition in Shahana was particularly was particularly delightful. It evoked the spirit of the Late Ustad.
Times of India - Bombay
The Ustad Amir Khan Memorial Committee set up by some of his ardent admirers pays
homage to his memory every year by holding programmes at different centres.
It was fitting therefore, that Kankana Banerjee, a city vocalist and a disciple of the Late Ustad,
was featured as the last artist to perform on the opening day of the three-day musical tribune.
Kankana has a sweet sonorous voice. An outstanding feature of her recital is her total
involvement in the art of singing and establishing a quick rapport with her accompanists
and the audience. Her Bageshree which lasted almost an hour was a typical example
of her Ustad's gayaki. The artist spent time leisurely unfolding the musical modes, with lilting phrases in 'vilambit'. Set to "Jhoomra taal', she slowly built up the structure. Her intricate weaving of 'sargams' and 'taans', her tantalising approach, her well balanced taans and tarana in drut were some of the highlights of her exposition.
Her short 'Hansadhawani' in fast 'ektaal' and 'Shahana' in 'tritaal' presented without 'antara' carried the hallmark of the Late Ustad's singing.
