“ Her detailed treatment of Raga Miyan Malhar was authentic. The Gaud Malhar that followed complemented the seriousness of the earlier Malhar with its romantic aura.
The intricate nuances of Tappa in Khamaj were evident from the introductory alap itself. Subhadra has command over this challenging form.
Her concluding bandish was delightful, embellished with delicacy of phrase, design and decoration.”
-Manjari Sinha
THE HINDU
Book Release October 2008
(Music In Valmiki's Ramayana)
This book is a scholarly exercise focused on music in the Valmiki Ramayana in five chapters scientifically dealing with the subject of music.
This is a book that needs to be there in every library.The highlight of this book is the objectivity of the author in dealing with the topic without being swayed away by any sentiments or religious fervour. The quality of the content, production and pictures add immensely to the value of the book.
-THE HINDU
Vishnu Digambar Jayanti
Sharing the limelight with top musicians at the show was Subhadra Desai, 33 - Hindustani classicial vocalist with tremendous promise.
Desai is "deeply influenced" by the late Pandit Kumar Gandharva.
In a world where celebrity kids usually hog the headlines, here is a talented artist with no famous daddy to push her.
-S. Sahaya Ranjit
INDIA TODAY
Vishnu Digambar Jayanti
In her latest recital, she acquitted herself creditably, displaying the same sonorous, rich voice and certitude of swara and laya. For her correct comprehension of ragas, a tribute is due to her excellent training.
Possessed of a spontaneous, good sense of the correct tonality of her notes, the steady and fixed notes, on which her voice stays a while longer, register themselves agreeably in the mind.
Suffice it to say that her aesthetic perceptions and sensibility are in place."
-Prakash Wadhera
THE HINDU
HABITAT CENTRE
Subhadra had a distinct vision of melodic beauty to give a concrete shape to which she had moulded her voice, utterance, preference for certain ragas as well as the musical design and layout required for them.
Subhadra seems to be a natural artiste who has an exhilarating sense of melody. She is gifted with a voice, which by nature, has an ideal aperture and volume, neither too small to be inaudible nor too large to tire one by its insistent loudness...Her suave, sweet voice has a clean texture
While Subhadra's exposition in the slow tempo opened a window to her mental gifts, imagination, prolific and orderly ideas, sense of design and fondness for sur and reposeful expression, her tana and bol-tana bore the stamp of lesson and the cares that go with it.
-Prakash Wadhera
THE HINDU
HABITAT CENTRE
Subhadra Desai can best be described as one with the necessary lagan towards music...
Subahdra’s voice has sweetness in full measure along with sharp accuracy of note and sound grasp of basics.
The slow khayal was unfolded in all its facets, each line of the text enriched and eleborated in detail... attention to detail was noteworthy...nuances of the lovely raga were laid bare with superb artistry.
Echoes of Pt. Kumar Gandharva could be heard several times through her recital, perhaps through her Guru, whose Guru Kumarji was.
Dr. Bandana Malhotra
THE HINDUSTAN TIMES
Manan
From the brilliance of her recital, it was evident that this upcoming youngster has been applying herself single-mindedly to better herself. she sang an enchanting and sharply accurate Raga Shree.
The manner in which the Shuddha Madhyam was introduced in the latter piece was remarkable and intensely appealing. She demonstrated tremendous grasp over laya and swara and decorated the piece with delicate and dazzling taankari.
Dr. Bandana Malhotra
THE HINDUSTAN TIMES
INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
It was highly gratifying to hear ...Subhadra Desai, give an excellent account of her musical upbringing at the India International Center... This being her debut performance, she was at her confident best.
Her highly mellifluous singing impressed one and all. Her renderings in ragas Puriya Dhanasri and Bhopali fell hauntingly on ones ears.
Subhadra's subsequent khayals in raga Bhopali too were handled with good artistic insight.
-Jitendra Pratap
THE PIONEER