Music and dance reviews

Nadajyothi music festival

Nadajyothi Sri Thyagarajaswamy Bhajana Sabha conducted the annual music festival, with vocal (both Karnatic and Hindustani) and instrumental (flute and violin solo) music. On this occasion, lifetime achievement award was presented to B Shankar Rao, Kalajyothi award to Pandit Vinayaka Toravi, and Nadajyothi award to L V Mukund.

Young flautist L V Mukund hails from a family of musicians and is emerging as a leading flautist of the state. He was initiated into music by his mother (Radha Vijayaraghavan) and received flute lessons from Prapancham Balachandar, N Ramani and was guided by his grandfather Belakawadi Rangaswamy Iyengar also. He has performed in leading Sabhas and is a recipient of few titles like “Ganakalashree.”

In the current concert for Nadajyothi, L V Mukund was accompanied by J K Sridhar on violin, Prof  V Krishna on mridanga and S N Narayana Murthy on ghatam. Mukund presented a number of compositions but chose two compositions for elaboration - “Bantureethi” and “Sri Chamundeshwari.” Elaborate swara was pleasing in the first one. “Sri Chamundeswari” was decorated with alapana and swara.

He also presented - “Bhogeendra Shayeenam,” “Bho Shambho” and a infrequent thillana in the raga Nalinakanthi of Dr N Ramani. It was melodious and lively throughout.

Matured music

Pandit Vinayak Toravi is a senior Hindustani musician. He is a reputed senior vocalist, able teacher, fine organiser and recipient of several awards and honours. Curtains came down on this year’s Nadajyothi festival with a Hindustani vocal recital by Vinayak Toravi on Wednesday.

Though Yaman is a most commonly heard raga, it attained a special flavour all its own. With a Bada Khyal and a Chota Khyal, the raga blossomed beautifully. With his well-preserved voice, honed perfectly to sruti, rag Durga was also enlivening.

The impact was further enhanced with a brisk tarana. Audience also enjoyed two devotionals - “Dayamado Ranga” and “Kangalidyatako Kaveri Rangana Nodada.” Madhusudhan Bhat and Vishwanath Nakod - accompanied Toravi on harmonium and tabla respectively.

Kinkini dance festival

Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Kuchipudi and Kathak recitals apart from Bharata-natyam, brought variety and colour to the Kinkini's 33rd Nrithyotsava held last week at the JSS Auditorium.

Senior danseuse Revathi Narasimhan is an experienced teacher who has taught a number of young aspirants in her dance school, Natya Niketan. She is also a successful choreographer. Under her direction, the Shivakami troupe presented a Bharatanatyam recital in Kinkini festival.

They chose a varna of Subbudu “Anname Aruginil.” Seven young dancers’ keen sense of  ‘Laya’ and well-defined ‘anga shuddam’ with attractive Abhinaya was absorbing. Changing their roles in quick succession, they performed with gay abandon with their powerful foot movements and lent an eye-filling charm to their dance.

After a devaranama (‘Ninna Magana Baadhe’) they concluded with a composition of Swathi Tirunal “Shankara Srigirinatha” in the raga Hamsanandi. A beautiful group dance with a fascinating cascade of jathies testifying to Revathi's finesse in choreography, received appreciation from the packed house. It was well supported by a talented team of musicians.

Graceful movements

Abhang to Raghuvamsha, many themes were exploited with telling effects in the Kathak dance programme of Nirupama and Rajendra of Abhinava Dance Company. Whether it is a mythology or social theme, it made a direct impact on the audience. They opened their recital with the sacred chanting of Vittala Nama. The theme “Mother India” was chosen to perform Teen taal in both vilambit and druth.

The movements in Chakradhar Tukda and Gat Bhav were graceful and attractive. In the “Vimana Yaana” during the journey from Sri Lanka to Ayodhya after the war, Rama and Seetha react on seeing places such as Panchavati, Prayag, rivers Ganga, Yamuna etc. With a stylished and well-portrayed movements and impactful facial expressions, adding a touch of glamour, Nirupama and Rajendra stole the show. Musicians also shared the honours with the dancers.