Music and dance reviews

Annual music fest

The Academy of Music conducted its annual music festival last week, at its own Chowdaiah Memorial Hall. Senior musicians T N Seshagopalan and Rudrapattana Brothers (R N Thyagarajan and R N Tharanathan) received the “K K Murthy Memorial Chowdiah Award” for this year.

Popular vocalist Nityashree Mahadevan, who gave the inaugural concert, was accompanied by M A Krishnaswamy (violin), Shivakumar (mridanga) and S Srishylan (ghata). Nityashree, who was in her elements, started with a familiar varna in the raga Durbar. This was followed by a lesser-known composition of Tyagaraja, ‘Okasari Chudagarada’ in the raga Kalawathi. The Nalinakanthi ragalapana was brief but with lively phrases. It was followed by a Kannada devaranama ‘Nindakarirabeku’ and the all time favourite, ‘Akhilandeswari’, in a grand ‘vilamba kaala’. With her voice traversing with ease, and abundant birkas Kalyani was sparkling. ‘Nidhichala sukhama’ with Nerval (Mamatha Bandhanayutha) was wholesome and stood out for its emotional sensitivity.
Another devaranama ‘Thamburi meetidava’, Sai bhajan and a thillana (Maharajapuram Santhanam) – that followed were also pleasing. In total it was a bright beginning for this year’s music festival.

Young flautist

Earlier, Master S Akash who gave a Hindustani flute recital, was initiated into music by Venkatesh Godkhindi and at present continues training under Jayateerth Mevundi and Ronu Majumdar. Rag Purvi gave Akash a head start.

With lively phrases and melodic grace touching the pivotal swaras, the raga was refreshing and Akash (14) proclaimed that he has arrived. His bansuri was melodious and the presentation lively. Hour-long raga, playing with ease and confidence, was indicative of his good training and talent. He concluded with a folk tune. Keshava Joshi supported him on Tabla.

Delectable dance

Lavanya Vijayakumar, a student of Natya Nikethan, gave a Bharathanatya recital under the series Every Friday Cultural Evening Programme. The piece de resistance of her recital was the popular Daru ‘Maathe Malayadwaja’. It was refreshing to see the young dancer delineate the well knit Jathis with ease and felicity. Her Abhinaya in Astapadi and Jawadi (Maru Lagihe) was also impressive. No doubt Lavanya has a bright future in the years to come. Guru Revathi Narasimhan (Natuvanga), Bharathy Venugopal (vocal), Lingaraj (mridanga) and Venugopal (flute) – supported from the wings.

Educative session

K S Vyshali is known to music lovers as a senior vocalist and a music critic. On Thursday, she proved that she is also a good speaker and demonstrator, when she gave a lecture demonstration at the Music Festival. She spoke on the “Hindustani classical music – an aesthetic appraisal”. She elaborated Ten Thats, one after the other, with brief description.

In the Bhairavi family, she chose a small bandish “Mo Marmukh” for Malkauns. To illustrate Natbhairav (of Bhairav group) she rendered a chotakhyal “Jago Jago” and a sufi bandish for Ramkali and a devaranama ‘Karuniso Ranga’ to illustrate Jogiya.
Jonpuri Darbari Kaanada and Adana- were chosen for the Asaveri family. ‘Murthiya Nilliso’ for rag coffee and  ‘Hari kunida Namma’ for Bhimpalas. Due to short of time, she quickly rendered Bhairavi, Kalyan rag Thats and concluded with Bhairavi. With her melodious voice and impressive narration, Vyshali’s demonstration was not only informative but also educative.