Homage to a composer

NaatanaHalli Chenna Keshavaiah (1895-1984) was known as a senior scholar, musicologist and an able teacher. Being a student of Vasudevachar and Veena Shivaramaiah, he served as a teacher at the Sharada Vilasa Pathashala, Mysore and was equally good in painting and drawing. He was a recipient of both ‘Ganakala Sindhu’ and ‘Sangeetha Kala Rathna’ and the author of Haridasa Keerthana Sudha Sagara, Ragalapana Paddathi and Pallaavi.But very few people know that he was also a composer. He has composed jathi swara, varna, keerthane, jawali and thillanas in the pen name of keshava.

NaatanaHalli Chenna Keshavaiah’s compositions were presented in the serial Geetha sastra sinchana (Ananya) on Sunday evening. Popular vocalist and musicologist Dr Sukanya Prabhakar opened the programme with a swara jathi in the raga kaapi. After the Rama Priya the Mukhari varna Kanthana Kaanade was rendered in Aditala. The invocatory piece on Ganesha Herambham (Bhegade raga,) was an attraction with its well-built chitte swara. But the Saveri Keerthana on Saraswathi was too simple and the Bhaja Manasa Satham was in Kharahara Priya. The Mamara in Raga Malike (Natakuranji, Athana, Neelambari Khamach, Vasantha) was enriched with some sprightly sangathies. The Jawali (‘Karadare Barabarade’) was as lively as to weave a euphonic Kamach. The Tillana in Surati can be used in dance also. Pahimam was in Reethigowla and concluded with a Mangala set in Madhyamavathi. It was refreshing to hear lesser known compositions, the sensitive touch in Dr Sukanya's voice, left an indelible impression, on the listener, gathered in small number. Her students Padmashree, Subhashini and Meera Manujunath shared the honours along with the main artiste.

Young sitar player

Nikhil Joshi, who gave a sitar recital last week, was initiated by his father Shrinivas Joshi and is continuing his studies under Pandit Yograj Naik. He is a recipient of scholarship from Sangeetha Nritya Academy and has also bagged few prizes in competitions. The programme was held in memory of Vasanth Kawali and held under the aegis of the Hindustani Sangeetha Kala Kara Mandali and Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs. Nikhil Joshi chose Rag Jinjoti for a detailed elaboration. Some attractive pharaseology lent a dignified presence to the raga. Alap, Jod-Jhala, enriching the raga’s elegant coherence, revealed his sensitive touch and musical erudition. Without overdoing anything, it was good music testifying to good grounding and sincere application. The tabla support was provided by N S Kiran.

Tabala solo

The second programme was a percussion solo by Udayraj Karpoor and Trilochan Kampli. Udayraj Karpoor is a disciple of Ravindra Yavagal and Suresh Talwalkar and is one of our sought after Tabalachi. Trilochan Kampli is a student of Basavaraj Bendigeri and Anand Badami. Udayraj and Trilochan chose teen thal for their tabala solo. They ran through tabala bols, interspersed with a variety of peshkar, kayda, mohara, chakradhar etc. With meaningful strokes and clarity, they tried their best to make it an interesting fare. Dr Ravindra Katoti provided harmonium support.

Expressive eyes

Sushma Shiva Kumar is a student of Shiva Priya School of Dance and has completed senior examination with distinction. She has played key roles in several dance dramas and is also a engineering graduate. The piece-de-resistance of the evening was a varna, Swamiya Karetare.  Muralidhara Rao's varna saw a sparkling display of Nritta and Jathies executed with gay abandon.

The Sundari Neeye from Antapura Geethe was another fine selection for abihinaya. With expressive eyes and good stage presence, the devaranama was also evocative.

Sushma has a bright future in the years to come. Dr Sanjay Shantharam (natuvanga), Srivathsa (vocal), Gurumurthy (mridanga), Chitralingam (veena), Jayaram, (flute) supported the dancer from the wings.