Nostalgic memories
Cultural programmes and academic session— were held last week as part of the felicitation to Dr R Satyanarayana, veteran scholar. Dr R K Srikantan who gave  a vocal recital here on Friday,  presented few fine compositions, along with his son R S Ramakantha.
Their rendition, ensconced in choice ragas was as effective and impactful. The Jalandhara with well knit Chitteswara brought nostalgic memories. His intuitive feeling for Raga Bhava was noteworthy in his singing. He sang Brochevarevare, with a touch of grace to it. Alapana and Swara were complimentary to the composition. It was followed by a striking Tani of the percussionists - C Cheluvaraj (mridangam) and N Amrith (khanjari).
Smarane Onde Salade with brief ragalapana and lilting flavour, was evocative. Another Devaranama Kanninindali Nodo Hariya also acquired a delight. C N Chandrasekhar gave good support on violin.
Youth wing
The Karnataka Nrityakala Parishat is a representative body of the state dancers. The Parishat opened a new chapter on the independence day, when the “youth wing” was opened to educate and encourage young dancers. Young dancers from different schools and Gurus, gave a dance recital, after the inaugural function.
Karthik, Ananthu, Somasekhar and Srinivas — all young but seasoned artistes — presented an intelligent adoption of Chandra Sekhara Bhaja Maanasa. The choice of Shishira Sastry, Anuradha, Raksha was the popular Jaya Janakee and Kanjadalaya Takshee. The Shivastuti and Tillana were selected by Chandraprabha, Sandhya Heggade, Chethana and Gangatkar and performed convincingly.
The Kalyani Varna (Sahana, Pavana and Ramya) vouched for their teacher's choreographic skill. Aparna, Sheela, Shreya and Minal showed the dancerly possibilities of the Kambodhi Varna. These youngsters performed with confidence and ease and deserve all encouragement.
Conference
The academic session of the 39th Music conference at Gayana Samaja last week began with an invocation by a young artiste. Speaking on The Classicism and Creativity in Hindustani Music Shyamala Bhave, demonstrated Chota Khyal, Bada Khyal, devotional compositions, folk and a Bhava geethe too. Lalitha Shivaram Ubhayakar presented a paper on “Rasa” in detail. Bharathi Pratap who gave the illustrations for her, sang Bhairav, Todi, Yaman and Bhairavi melodiously.
Pandith Satish Vyas spoke on an interesting subject - Music management. He discussed in detail the necessity of impressarios, in the Indian context.  Dr Srikantan's paper on the compositions of Subbaraya Sastry was informative and R S Ramakanth demonstrated few krithies like Meena Nayana, Ninuvina Gathi, Yemanine.
Senior artiste Rajshekar Mansur not only spoke on Jod ragas but also sang few ragas like Basanth Kedar. Dr. Rajeev Taranath, in his lecture, recalled teaching methods of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan which he called as most efficient and disciplined. Rajalakshmi Tirunarayanan demonstrated few Tillanas of Veena Seshanna, tunefully.
Mysore V Subramanya
Gokulashtami festival
Immaculately draped in pink Kanjeevaram saree with glittering chokers round their neck, Priya sisters gave a fine vocal concert on the opening day of the Gokulashtami celebrations of the Guruvayurappan Bajana Samaj (GSBS) Trust at Odukathur Mutt, last Saturday.
They commenced with an exquisite presentation of Hamsadwani varnam Pagavaribhodana followed by Gananayakam, setting the ambience to sustain the melodic levels. They packed the concert with number of songs. Haripriya’s description of raga Bilahari with her expressive voice with delicate ornamentation for the kriti Paritanamichithe was diligently rendered. Namam Annanuke and Ammaamma Alamelumanga were soul stirring. The raga alapana of Poorvi Kalyani was shared by both,
Shanmukha Priya's alapana in the lower octave was sober and restrained, but Haripriya's use of medium to fast interwined sancharas to enliven the brigas cascading from the tarathayi gandhara and madhyama proved effective. The kriti was Manavajanma Doddadu  The high point was the raga Karaharapriya for the kriti Chakkaniraja spilling over the lyrical passages.
The violinist Raghavendra Rao's response was laudable. Percussionists Neyveli Skanda Subramaniyam (mridangam) and Madipakkam A Murali (ghatam) played their roles respectively.
The sloka in praise of Lord Venkateswara followed by Ekkadi manush Janmam was soaked in devotion.
Jagadha Kumar