Dr V Doreswamy Iyengar Memorial Trust had invited several young artistes to perform in the Annual Music Festival, at the Ananya Sabhangana, last week. Amrutha Venkatesh and Pattabhirama Pandith - both vocalists from Bangalore - combined their undoubted talents in their concerts, to good purpose and signs of a bright future.

Amrutha Venkatesh, who is both a vocalist and veena player, presented a number of good compositions, with her fine voice. For instance "Sree Mathru Bhutham". It is a dignified Keerthane of Dikshitar, which she sang in a majestic "Vilamba Kaala". "Sanathana" and "Varanarada" both are favourites of old timers.
"Deva Deva Jagadeesha" of Swathi Tirunal - was quite captivating. "Sari Evaramma" - was another gem from the treasure chest of Syama Sastry. The ragalapana (Bhairavi) and the Nerval (Parama Pavani) - proved to be a measure of her artistic insight of a seasoned singer. Three seasoned accompanists gave the vocalist a full measure of sustained support - Charulatha Ramanujam on violin, Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma on Mridanga and Guruprasanna on Khanjari.

Impressive vocal
The other vocalist Pattabhirama Pandith is not a stranger to Bangalore music connoisseurs.
His selection and presentation, both reminded his Guru (K V Narayana Swamy) frequently! Raga Varali was evocative (Tiru Pavai) and the classic Krithy "Hecharikaga Ra Ra" was delightful. Meaningful nerval and brisk Swara - were admirable effort.

After a quick "Sreepathe" the "Pakkala Nilabadi" - received a detailed airing, adding to the serenity of the concert.

He sang with good feeling and brought out the special lyrical mood in its presentation.
His talent and musical accomplishment were vindicated in the appealing Alapana, Nerval and Swaraprasthara. Charulatha Ramanjunam (Violin), H S Sudheendra (Mridanga) and Ullur Giridhar Udupa (Ghata) - lent excellent support on their respective instruments.

'Music’ - round the clock
The Aavani Sringeri Shankaracharya Samsthana had arranged music concerts in a different way, last week! 24 hours continuous concerts (Thursday 6 am to Friday 6 am) by 24 different music groups. It was held on the occasion of "Kojagari Vratha", under the direction of Sri Abhinava Vidyashankara Bharathi Swamiji.
Each vocalist was asked to sing compositions of a particular composer, to the accompaniment of violin and percussion instruments.

Thus tributes were paid to Shyama Sastry, Muthu Swami Dikshitar, Tyagaraja, Mysore Sadashiva Rao, Othakadu Venkata Subba Iyer, Swathi Tirunal, Haridasas and many others.

Compositions of Syama Sastry
Prof Nagamani Srinath presented few compositions of Syama Sastry. His "Marivere" reverberated with glowing cadences of the melody. 'Mayamma' and 'Nanu brova Lalithe' - were also rendered impressively. She was supported on Violin by Dr Jyothsna, on Mridanga by B Dhruvaraj and on Morching by L Bhimachar.

Papanasham Shivan
Dr Hamsini Nagendra's choice was compositions of Papanasham Shivan. Venkataramana (Lathangi), Mahalakshmi (Shankarabharana) and Chitham (Shahana) - were pleasing and 'Narayana Divya Namam' - attracted with lilting melody (Violin - T S Krishna Murthy, Mridanga - B C Manjunath and Khanjari - A V Kashinath).

Swathi Tirunal
M S Sheela selected Swathi Tirunal's Krithies. She wove a classic imagery in "Mamava Sada". While 'Bhogendra Shayanam' is a popular one, the "Pahi Parwatha Nandini" - was another good selection.
T S Krishna - Murthy, T S Chandrasekhar and M A Krishna Murthy - accompanied on Violin, Mridanga and Ghata, respectively.

Vocal duet
In the same 'Sharada Peetham' young vocalists - Vinay and V Krishna Prasad gave a music concert, on the penultimatum day of the Navarathri.

They were supported by Achutha Rao (Violin), B C Manjunatha (Mridanga) and S N Narayana Murthy (Ghata).
The piece de resistance of their concert was "Sharadaye Karuna Varidhaye" of Vijaya Dasaru.

It was in the time honoured raga - Thodi. The Alapana and Swara were 'developed in turns and a good picture of the Devaranama was painted.

The "Narayana Enniro" - is always a favourite and "Sarasa Samadana" is a ever popular Keerthane. After a familiar devotional "Visweswara Darushanam" the duo concluded with a Tillana of R K Padmanabha.

Mysore V Subramanya