JOIN USSaama festival
Sri Academy of Music and Arts conducted the annual Saama Festival with music concerts, painting (Astothara Shata Kuncha Sammilana) and dance performances. H N Suresh received the Saama Puraskara-2017, and following persons were felicitated on the occasion: G R Jaya, M S Srinivasa Murthy, Vasudeva Rao and Achyut Rao Padaki.
N Ravikiran, senior Chitra Veena player, is a exceptionally talented musician, able teacher and composer. His Gotu Vadya recital was a fitting finale to this year’s Saama Festival. He has developed a professional elan that invests every song with the seal of authority and near perfection. His “Vatapi” the familiar opening composition glowed with resplendent glory that brooked no criticism. It was followed by a fine composition of Uthakadu Venkatasubba Iyer.
Shubha Pantuvarali got a detailed airing with lingering effect. Evocative ‘sangathies’ highlighted the musical beauty of the composition “Shiva Shiva Enarada.” Though it was not a full-fledged concert, it was a brilliant portrayal and a connoisseurs delight. Evergreen devaranama “Jagadoddarana” was also lively. Dr R Raghuram, B C Manjunath and B Rajashekhar gave a good support on violin, mridanga and morching, respectively.
Tributes to CKM
C Krishna Murthy (CKM) (1936-1992) was a senior veena player of “Mysore Baani” and a staff of AIR, Bengaluru. On the occasion of his 25th death anniversary, a day-long “Veena Uthsava” was held, in which a number of vainikas performed.
Senior musician D Balakrishna presented the inaugural concert, accompanied by R Adamya. After “Sri Mahaganapathiravatumam,” in Gowla he chose “Hecharikaga Ra Ra.” The raga and swara were shortish but full of ragabhava (Yadukula Kambodhi). The devotional “Venkatashaila Vihara” and concluded with the celebrated jinjoti thillana.
Geetha Ramanand and Revathi Murthy in their veena duet, opened with the keertana “Deva Deva” in Mayamalavagowla. Highlight of their recital was the delineation of that evocative raga Behag, in all its glory. “Rama Mantrava Japiso” the Kannada devaranama was their last choice. Jayanthi Sridhar Murthy opened her veena recital with a varna of H S Krishna Murthy in the raga Latangi. Most popular among the “Pancha Ratna” kruthies, the “Endaro Mahanuubhavulu” was also presented neatly.
Melodious flute
Subhadramma Venkatappa of Ballari, was a senior violinist, teacher and a composer. She has composed a number of devotionals (Sri Sai Kusumanjali), (Karnamritha) which was released on last Sunday. An organisation called Subhadramma Venkatappa Sangeetha Vidyalaya was also launched at the Ananya Sabhangana.
N Rajkamal, who presented a flute recital, is a familiar flautist of Bengaluru. A student of S Shashidhar and Neela Ramgopal, he is also a scholarship holder from the HRD and a recipient of several prizes and awards from the Krishna Gana Sabha, Karnataka Ganakala Parishat and Sharabha Sastry Prashasthi. Rajkamal started his flute recital with the “Pranamamyaham,” in a confident manner. The brief swara for “Guruleka Etuvanti” was also interesting, followed by a brisk “Phanipathi Shayi” in the raga Jhankaradwani. He exploited the glory of Kalyani in a spacious alap, and the celebrated “Etavunara” with brisk swara and other musical embellishments.
In the post “tani” “Govardhana Giri,” “Venkatachalanilayam” and few other devotionals were rendered. Rajkamal’s flute was melodious throughout and he pleased the gathering with his sweet lively music. Mathur Srinidhi on violin, H S Sudhindra on mridanga and Sukanya Ramgopal on ghata accompanied spiritedly.