Music and dance reviews

Vyalikaval Rama temple

Music and other cultural programmes in the Rama Seva Mandalies continued last week also, all over the city.

Prince Aswathi Tirunal Rama Varma, who gave a vocal concert (Vyalikaval Rama Temple) is a scion of the Royal family of Travancore, and is not a stranger to the music lovers of Bangalroe. He was accompanied on violin by Anand Vishwanathan, on mridanga by Palghat Mahesh Kumar, on Ghata by Sukanya Ramgopal and on morching by Bhagyalakshmi.

It was clear from the opening varna that the vocalist Rama Varma has a commendable grasp over the different facets of a concert!

The invocatory piece 'Gajavadana Beduve' was decorated with good swara, followed by a 'pancharathna krithi' (Endaro Mahanubhavulu) rendered neatly. 'Jayalakshmi Varalakshmi' of Annamacharya, was also a good selection, and the 'Raminchuva' with chitteswara had popular appeal.

The highlight of the programme was the delineation of that grand krithi 'Rama Rama Guna Seema'.

Rama Varma tried to sing with good involvement and feeling, but failed to sustain the tempo - especially in the swara prasthara.

Rama Seva Samithi

Sree Seshadripuram Rama Seva Samithi has organised music concerts till May 3, at the Seshadripuram College premises. The inaugural concert was a 'Mangala Vaadya' recital which suited the occasion.Husband and wife duo Palanivel and Prabhawathi Palanivel pleased the gathering by their Nagaswara (not Nadaswara) recital.
B R Venkatesh and Kadapanattam Sudhakar supported on Dolu. The 'Gajananayu­tham' gave them a good start, followed by 'Endaro Mahanubhavalu'.

The 'Jagadoddarana', the ever popular devaranama was rendered briefly, but with good feeling. Surprisingly the 'Giriraja Sutha', which is usually selected as the inaugural krithi, was selected at this juncture! Another popular composition 'Nagumomu' was planned as a major item of the concert with elaborate swara prasthara.

They played with good involvement and their 'Patanthara' is good and traditional. Palanivel and Prabhavathi deserves the notice of music lovers and sabhas.

Sree Rama Seva Mandali

A good number of audience heard the violin duet of Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi at the Fort High School Pandal.

They chose Kharaharapriya, the celebrated raga, for a detailed airing. With their good command over the instrument and with due emphasis on the principal motifs, the duo unfolded a wide canvas of the raga.

Earlier they presented a number of good compositions, neatly.
The brother and sister vied each other to bring out the 'ragabhava' of Mukhari, for
'Enthanine' of Saint Tyagaraja. Purvikalyani also attracted with authentic stamp of Lalgudi 'Baani'.

'Seethapathe' in Khamach, lent a nostalgic aura to the majestic melody. The percussion duo - Harikumar and Guru Prasanna - lent spirited support on Mridanga and Khanjari, respectively.