JOIN USA new cultural organisation
One more organisation was added to the long list of Sangeetha Sabhas of the City. Krishna Kala Kendra was inaugurated by Dr R K Srikantan, veteran musician, last Sunday and Anoor Dathatreya Sharma inaugurated the website.
The Sabha is aiming to cater to the cultural needs of the connoisseurs of Vasanthpura and the surrounding areas. Vinay Sharva, who gave the inaugural concert, had his initial lessons from S Shankar and has been receiving advance lessons from none other than Nedanuri Krishnamurthy. Apart from a good repertoire, Vinay is also well versed in Simhanandana Thala, also.
The opening varna ‘Sarasuda’ was itself a revelation of Vinay’s good training. For a change he chose a gem from the treasure chest of Mayuram Viswanatha Sastry. It was in the raga Naata and the chitteswara was also attractive. A infrequent krithi Vallagadanak Seetha Vallabha of Saint Tyagaraja was a welcome change from the routine, reserving the elaboration to the day’s chief raga Bhairavi. With his deep sonorous voice, he brought a distinct imagery of the raga. After a long time we heard the Yenatinomu with well-knit nerval (Sundaresha Suguna Brinda Dasharath).
Swara Prasthara which was lively, was also appealing. Devotionals - Jagadoddarana and Vandipenamma Muddu Sharade – were also rendered with a melodic grace. Vinay Sharva’s career is worth watching. H M Smitha on the violin, Anoor Anathakrishna Sharma on the mridanga and Bharadwaj Sathavalli on morching, lent a good support throughout.
Yuva Sambhrama
The Sangeetha Sambhrama conducted the “Yuva Sambhrama” – a festival of music and dance by young artistes.
Sindhu Suchetan and H S Smitha, young violinists, gave a solo violin recital, accompanied by B S Prashant on the mridanga and Kartheek on khanjari. In the first half of the concert, the sisters chose Saraswati for raga delineation. Saraswati is a Audava Shadava rakti raga. It is believed that Saint Tyagaraja popularised this raga through the composition “Anuragamuleni.”
Through this raga the sisters created a fine musical atmosphere. Sindhu and Smitha’s violin duet was marked for their good “Manodharma,” easily rising the melodic report to a crescendo in Mohana. It was a sort of reassuring concert.
A pleasant dance drama
The students of Vaishnavi Natyashala gave a dance drama “Bibi Nachiar” under the direction of Mithun Shyam, in the “Yuva Sambhrama.”
The story of Bibi Nachiar is well known and the young students opening with Seshadeva, Harijans of Tirunarayanapura (Melkote) and dreams of Princess of Moghul Durbar. 35 youngsters between 6 and 30 years – changing their roles in quick succession, performed with gay abandon. Their abhinaya was good and lively.
Duet by father, son
Nagaraj Hawaldar gave a Hindustani vocal, under the aegis of the Bangalore Lalithakala Parishat. There was a family touch also, in the artistes’ selection.
Nagaraj’s son Omkar Nath Hawaldar gave vocal support, while another son Kedarnath Hawaldar gave tabala support and their close relative Sameer Hawaldar was in charge of the harmonium.
Nagaraj and Omkarnath Hawaldar opened their vocal recital with Purya Dhanasri. Starting slowly, they gradually – from swara to swara – climbed and reached the Thara stayee. The deep phrases lent a convincing imagery of the melody. They captured the listeners with a wholesome raga. It was followed by a number of devotionals – both Devaranama and Vachana. Aada Pogona Baro Ranga (Durga), Karuniso Ranga (Jogiya), Akka Kelavva (Pahadi) and Neene Dayalu Nirmala Chitha (Bhairavi) – delighted the connoisseurs.