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Ramotsava pendals have come up all over the City and Rama mandalies are ready with long programme lists. In fact, organisations are vying with each other to invite celebrities and conduct cultural programmes as many days as possible.
And music lovers are eagerly waiting to hear their favourite musicians. All said and done it is Rama Seva Mandali that is reputed among all the organisations of the City and though it is ticketed, a large number of connoisseurs participate here enthusiastically, everyday.
The opening concert of the season was a ‘Mangala Vadya’, customarily. Saxophone recital by Dr Kadri Gopalanath, sponsored by the Printers (Mysore) Pvt Ltd attracted a large gathering as expected. Internationally acclaimed Gopalanath is a recipient of ‘Padmashri’ from the government of India and Rajyotsava award from the State government.
The credit of popularising saxophone in the Carnatic music world goes entirely to him. Hence his name is synonymous with the saxophone.
Gopalnath opened his concert, with a rather sober composition – ‘Sri Ganesha Sharanam’ of Papanasha Shivan. It was followed by two compositions of Saint Tyagaraja – Raghuvara and Ksheera Sagara. ‘Akhilandeswari’ in good ‘vilamba kaala’ – is a all-time favourite followed by ‘Sri Rama Padama’. ‘Nagumommu’ was the piece de resistance of the concert with evocative alapana and brisk swara.
He concluded with a Sai Bhajan and a devaranama. Gopalanath did not disappoint his fans and was lively throughout. A Kanya Kumari on violin, Hari Kumar on mridanga, Rajendra Nakod on tabala and B Rajashekar on morching – gave good support.
Colourful, eye-catching Yakshagana
Sri Rama Mandira, Malleswaram conducted the Ramotsava with religious and cultural programmes. For a change, the Mandira had organised a Yakshagana by Mahaganapathi Art and Cultural Foundation, Karkala.
They presented the well-known story of Lava and Kusha under the direction of Gopalakrishna Bhat. Umesh Vethri and Manjunath Bhat as Lava and Kusha gave a lively presentation.
Others – Gopalakrishna Bhat (Rama), Akshaya Kumar (Seetha), Sripada Heggade (Shatrugna) and Jain took part suitably. With colourful costumes and jewels and music and dance – it pleased the gathering.
But it was vocal music of Sudhir Bhat, with his rich voice caught the attention at once, supported by Ravi on maddale and Ravishankar on chende. Rendering songs in Naata, Desh Mohana, Saveri, Madhyamavathi, it was attractive.