JOIN US‘Parampara dhara’
The Kaishiki Natyavahini, a senior dance school, presented a cultural programme with music and dance recitals, last week. On the occasion of the silver jubilee of the school, a book called “Parampara dhara” by Dr Mala Shashikanth was also released in the august presence of Guru Radhakrishna, President, Karnataka Bharatagama Pratishtana.
Sindhu Shashikanth, who hails from a artistes’ family, is learning music under Neela Ramgopal, a veteran vocalist. In her concert here, she was accompanied on violin by Anirud Nadig and on mridanga by Deepika Srinivas. “Pahimam Briha Nayike” gave Sindhu a bright start. She gave a good vocal recital with “Mamava sada” as the centre piece.
Also she revealed her grasp over the medium with admirable self confidence. But there was no need to change the traditional raga of the devaranama “Anjike inyatakayya’. With continued training and more stage experience, Sindhu Shashikanth has a good future in the years to come.
Six young students of Kaishiki Natyavahini gave a Bharathanatya recital under the direction of Dr Mala Shashikanth.
They opened the programme with ‘Astadikpalaka Vandana’, customarily. “Mella Mellane Bandane” was performed changing the roles in quick succession and dramatising the events. Young dance students performed with ease and assurance. They concluded with the popular thillana in Jinjoti raga (Veena Seshanna), evocatively. It was the result of the good training they are receiving and hope they will continue the studies and reach great heights.
Melodious harmonium
The Bangalore Lalithakala Parishat presented a solo harmonium recital by Dr Ravindra G Katoti. Katoti is a disciple of Pandit Rambhau Bijapure, veteran harmonium player and has passed ‘Sangeet Alankar’ of Akhil Bharateeya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and recipient of ‘Sur Ratna’ award. He is known not only as a fine accompanist, but also a reputed soloist and an able teacher. The Karnataka University has conferred doctorate on him and he is a lecturer in commerce.
In the current concert, ‘Sri’ the familiar raga, gave Ravindra Katoti a bright start. Developing the raga gradually in vilambith (Rupak) and Druth (Teen Thal), he delighted the audience. The same mood continued in Thilak Kamod, another evocative raga. His mastery over the instrument, volume control by manipulating bellows skillfully and producing melodious sound – constituted the woof and the warp of the musical fabric woven by Katoti. While the Keeravani Dhun was pleasing, he sprang a surprise by selecting a devaranama (Jagadoddharana), which is very popular in Karnatic music. As usual the last raga was Bhairavi (Jamuna Ke Teer). Udayaraj Karpoor accompanied on tabla with good understanding and Master Chirag Kanitkar supported on harmonium.
Bhakti Bhajanamrutha
Vidwan S R Maruthi Prasad, a blind vocalist, has caught the attention of connoisseurs as a good performer and an able teacher. He has passed proficiency examination with distinction and has won several prizes including the M S Subbalakshmi Memorial Prize and has performed in leading organisations (including the Music Academy, Chennai), both in and outside the country. His latest audio CD ‘Bhakthi Bhajanamrutha’ (Lakshmi Audio Company) was released last week, at the Seva Sadana, Malleswara. After the formal function, there was music recital by Maruthi Prasad and his students. The opening “Shiva Rama Krishna Govind” was a prayer in praise of several Gods. It set the pace for a tuneful fair. Travelling three octaves effortlessly he sang with good feeling.
With his good voice he presented another popular devotional in the “Bhajana Sampradhaya.” The “Veera Dheera Hanuman” with pleasing ‘Bhava’ was impressive heightening the impact. His students joined in the chorus, singing in unison. Earlier, another devotional song of Narahari Dasaru “Chinataye Sadguru” was rendered by another set of students, which also attracted with good music (Dr T S Satyavathi) and lively presentation. The percussion support was provided by Shivashankar and Maruthi Prasad.
Mysore V Subramanya