JOIN USPleasing violin concert
Dr M Lalitha and M Nandini, who come from an illustrious family of musicians, are popularly known as the “Violin in Sisters”.
They have performed extensively in many parts of the world, not only Karnatic solo violin, but also western classical, fusion music and world music. They are recipients of several prizes and awards, including the Fulbright Fellowship, OLF Award (USA), Kalaimamani and a prize from the Music Academy.
In the current event for the Bangalore Lalitha Kala Parishat on Friday, Lalitha and Nadini opened their concert with a varna of Veena Kuppa Iyer.
The varna in four ‘kaalas’ gave them a bright start. A Papanasham kruthi “Muladharam” in Hamsadhwani - is also a good selection. ‘Nilambari’ is a evocative raga and they chose an infrequent composition in ‘Nilambari’ called “Siddhisvaraya Namaste”, a “Pancha Linga Kruthi”.
In this composition, Dikshitar says - “I salute Lord Siddhiswaraya again and again............ He is supreme with none as equal and bestows good fortune on his devotees.” Raga Nilambari and Lalitha (Hiranmayam) rendered with all the flavour swayed the audience. ‘Kalyani,’ the stately raga was the high spot of the concert and was noteworthy for the smooth tone and natural beauty of the raga.
They concluded their pleasing concert with a composition of Vaidyanathan in the raga Vasanthi. Father and son duo - B K Chandramouli and B C Manjunath - played the mridanga with gusto.
Lilting melody
MES Kalavedi presented a vocal recital by Kalavathi Avadhoot on Saturday.
Born in a well-known family of musicians, Kalavathi is a postgraduate in Music and is also a gold medalist. She is also known for her vast repertoire and has won prizes from the Gayana Samaja, Ganakala Parishat.
Kalavathi’s opening varna “Mathe” generated a musical atmosphere in the auditorium and gave rise to the intended plaintive mood.
“Vasudevayani”, which was very popular in old Mysore, was evocative. After “Rangapura Vihara” with nostalgic memories, “Jnanamosagarada” was sung with alapana, nerval (Paramathmudu Jeevatmudu) and swara, revealing a touch of class to make it an evocative recital.
“Kanjadalayatakshi” and “Bhogindra Shayeenam” - were also pleasing. The “Rama Katha Sudha” was wholesome with raga, nerval and spacious swaraprasthara. H S Smitha on violin, S Ashok on mridanga and A S N Swamy on khanjari - gave spirited support on their respective instruments. In total, Kalavathi Avadhoot, captured the audience with her lilting melody.
Nritya Rangoli
The Academy of Music presented “Nrutya Rangoli” a dance festival curated by Veena Murthy Vijay of Sri Rajarajeswari Kala Niketan.
There were three dance recitals on Sunday - two Bharathanatya and one Odissi recital.
Shilpa Nanjappa, a disciple of Padmini Ramachandran, holds a Master’s degree in English and has performed in many prestigious organisations, both in and outside the country. She is also a recipient of Kittur Rani Chennamma award, Dr MGR award from the Music Academy and “Sringar Mani” from the Sursingar Samsad.
Shilpa began her recital with a ‘Malhari’ and moved to a varna of Papanasham Shivan, in the raga ‘Thodi.’ She revealed fair competence and a pleasant deposition and excelled in both nritta and nritya. Students of Rasika dance ensemble presented the “Krishna Leela.”
Few popular episodes from the childhood of Krishna were performed with no hassles. With fast and brisk movements, changing the roles in quick succession, dramatising the situations they performed gracefully with popular appeal, under the direction of Kiran Subramanyam and Sandhya Kiran.
Curtains came down on the “Nritya Rangoli” with an Odissi dance recital by the students of Nrityantar. Under the direction of Madhulitha Mohapatra, they presented “Jamasammohini Pallavi” and “Abhinaya” beautifully. They sprang a surprise by presenting a Kannada devaranama in Odissi style/