Music and dance reviews

Swaralipi awards

Smt B S Chandrakala was not only a vocalist but also a violinist, author, teacher and recipient of few awards. In her memory, the Bangalore Gayana Samaja conducts a music programme and presents awards, every year. This year senior journalist Dr R Poornima and Vidushi H N Meera received the "Swaralipi" Awards, last week.

Earlier H N Meera gave a brief concert, selecting compositions of different composers. She opened her concert with a well-known varna "Maathe" and decorated the composition "Vandenishamaham" with brief raga and swara. "Mamava Meenakshee" with nerval and swara, was the main item of the concert. Without overdoing anything, with a pleasant presentation, Meera pleased the gathering. "Krishnana Kolalina Kare" of Dr P T. Narasimhachar is also a good selection. Few devotionals like - Ninna Mana Deguladi, Gopiya Bhagyavidu and Yake Bandi Jeeva etc - were also presented in the concluding part. B. Raghuram and A. Renuka Prasad accompanied on violin and mridanga.

Sparkling theatre music

Naada Tarangini Balaga presented "Ranga Sangeetha Sammodini" - based on the music of professional drama theatres.

Earlier a C.D. of theatre music on Harmonium, performed by R Paramashivan, was also released on the occasion. Paramashivan has served the Kannada "Company Nataka" - especially as Harmonium player, singer and music director. Naturally, he is a recipient of several awards, including Sangeet Natak Akademy Award. He has created a world record by bringing out a C D of one Thousand "Ranga Geethe", performed by himself on Harmonium.

The Balaga presented excerpts from few old Kannada plays - humorous and lively. The opening song "Hellida Hage" was in the raga Kuranji and "Hindu Desha" was in raga Peelu. "Rama Samudra" in Madhyamavathi received loud applause. The Najukaiah part of the well-known play "Devadasi" was very popular, during those days. From that play, "Sukhaveeva" in Shankarabharana raga and the duet of "Kalla" and "Sadarame" was a hit song of yesteryears! So also songs in Kuranji, kadanakuthuhala were equally entertaining. Veterans R. Paramashivan (87), Manjula (75) sang and acted like young actors, with ease, beautiful birkha and aligning well with Sruthi - they stole the show. Along with them Deepak, Malini Agrahara, Shiva Prasad and Poornima - shared the honours. It was a rare treat for connoisseurs of both music and theatre.

Graceful "Sammilana"

The monthly programme of the Bangalore Lalithakala Parishat was "Sammilana" - a duet by husband and wife Surya N Rao and Prathama Prasad Rao of Mahamaya Arts Foundation. They have been trained by C. Navada, Veena Murthy, Dr Maya Rao and holds a bachelors degree in choreography and have performed in many countries and are recipients of few awards including "Nritya Shiromani".

"Sammilana" - was actually a jugalbandi of Kathak and Kuchipudi. The first piece "Aarambh" which was in rag Jog, gave them a bright start. The "Dashavathara" was well presented in the "Sanchari" of "Yela Nee Dayarada". It is a fine composition of Saint Tyagaraja in the raga Athana and beautifully performed by Surya in the Kuchipudi style. Prathama Prasad presented Thala mala to show footwork in Thishra, Chatushra, Khanda and Mishra. To dramatise few episodes from Ramayana Surya chose "Hanumantha Deva Namo". Prathama Prasad selected an Astapadi to perform a "Khanditha Nayaki" gracefully. They concluded with a "Thillana - Tharana". They performed with ease and assurance, catching the attention of the audience, successfully.

- Mysor V Subramanya