Music reviews
Tributes to composers
The Nadajyothi Sri Tyagarajaswamy Bhajana Sabha has been conducting its music festival from last 46 years, on the occasion of Aradhana of Purandara and Tyagaraja. Music concerts (Karnatic and Hindustani vocal, jugalbandi, veena, solo violin, percussion ensemble) and Harikatha recitals were held for nine days in collaboration with the Malleswaram Arya Vysya Sangha. On the occasion K Arjunan (mridanga), Lalith J Rao (Hindustani), A D Zacharia (violin) – were awarded the “Kalajyothi Puraskar” and the “Nadajyothi Puraskar” was conferred on Gurucharan V Garud (Tabla). Medical Aid were also distributed to the needy musicians.
G J R Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi, who gave a violin duet here, hails from the reputed Lalgudi family and their violin recital was notable for the tonal quality and lively presentation. “Sogasu Juda Tharama” describes the beauty of Lord Rama in the raga Kannada Gowla. But they revelled in Kambodi, the majestic raga. It was a neat, nicely presented raga with crisp swara. Earlier raga Kannada acquired a special delight, while Shanmukhapriya bristled in the familiar mode. The devotionals – Rama Rama Rama Seetha and Baro Krishnaiah – were delectable. The thillana of Lalgudi Jayaraman in the raga Karnaranjani – was also lively. The percussion duo – Arjun Kumar on mridanga and Ullur Giridhar Udupa on Ghata – were in fine touch. In total the concert was an aesthetic treat.
Aradhana
The other organisation which celebrated Purandaradasa Aradhana is Sri Raghavendra Seva Samithi, Sudhindra Nagara, Malleswaram. Harikatha, discourse and bhajan, apart from music concerts were conducted at its own Raghavendraswamy Mutt. Blending her voice with shruti and rendition, Sangeetha Katti Kulakarni embellished Sudda Kalyan impressively. She rendered a number of Purandara Dasa Devaranamas, to suit the occasion. |The “Nandatanaya Govinda …. Mithayee” was sung with good feeling. “Kurudu Nayee Santege Bandanthe” – was another meaningful pada. “Kobbinali Irabedavo Manuja” – in the raga Hameer, is full of moral and “Sullu Nammalillavaiah” (Sohani) is an interesting devaranama.
With her impressive voice Sangeetha Katti traversing in all the three octaves with ease and confidence, rendered “Ksheerabdi Kannike” with lovely phrases, which was equally haunting for its lyrical appeal. Udayaraj Karpur on tabla, Ravindra Katoti on harmonium and Venkatesh Purohit on thala – supported with good understanding.
