JOIN USLingering melodies
The Bangalore Lalithakala Parishat presented a solo violin recital by Dr Jyotsna Srikanth on Friday.
Born in Bengaluru, Dr Jyotsna is now based in London. She gave up her medical career (pathologist) for music. She started learning music from her mother Rathna Srikantaiah and obtained advanced training under R R Keshava Murthy, the legendary 7-stringed violinist.
Being an all-rounder, she has presented a number of Carnatic solo concerts, Indo Jazz concerts and contemporary Indian music shows. She has emerged, over the years, as a leading composer with contemporary flavours and has been featured in many major global music events and venues like Womad-UK, BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall, London and of course, The Music Academy (Chennai) and Bangalore Gayana Samaja.
Dr Jyotsna has composed music for several albums, ballets and films and her workshops and demonstrations are quiet popular. Naturally, she is a recipient of several accolades including fellowship from the Trinity College of Music, London and the title “Ganakalashri” from the Karnataka Ganakala Parishat. Now, Jyotsna Srikanth is the artistic director of Dhruv Arts in UK and founder of London International Arts Festival.
From the very first pass of the bow, Jyotsna’s solo had the melodious tone, so characteristic of her recitals. The stately varna in the raga Kambodhi gave Jyotsna a fine start. In the “Gam Ganapathe,” raga and swara were brief but lively. Pantuvarali was spacious and wholesome. In contrast ‘Raghunatha Ninnu’ was a quickie and clarity even in the high speed was amazing. “Shobillu” was followed by raga Bahudari. It was noted for its sustained melodic excellence and harmonious blend. Post thani, she also played a Annamacharya composition and a thillana of Lalgudi Jayaraman.
In total, Jyotsna Srikanth’s violin was refreshing marked for its flair and fidelity. The percussion duo B C Manjunath and A S N Swamy gave spirited support on mridanga and khanjari respectively.
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Melodious movements
Dr M Balamuralikrishna, a veteran musician, is a living legend of our time. He is well known for his creativity. He is popular not only as a great vocalist but also as a great composer and teacher. He has created new ragas and thalas. His compositions are well known for meaningful lyrics, melodious music and well knit thalas. Balamurali’s compositions have been exploited by musicians and dancers alike to arrive at artistic features. Ponnaiah Lalithakala Academy presented a Bharathanatya recital exclusively of Balamurali’s compositions.
Poornima Ashok, a senior dancer and teacher (Nrityanjali School of Bharathanatya), presented Balamurali’s compositions in Bharathanatya, which was choreographed with impressive interpretation by Poornima Gururaja. It was an impressive, compact programme, with good music.
Poornima Ashok opened her dance recital with a composition on Ganesha (Gam Ganapathe), customarily. A composition was in the rare raga Lavangi describing Devi as creator of world and destroyer of evils. In the next composition, Shiva was glorified as ‘Papavimoshaka’. Poornima’s abhinaya – especially in the Jawadi – was restrained but impressive. Then a composition devoted to Tyagaraja in the raga Behag. Still, seasoned connoisseurs felt inclusion of a varna would have made it wholesome. But it was neat and compact and with some more performances of the compositions, it will be much more impactful.
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