Music reviews

Srikantan steals show

On Thursday, the well known “Mathe malayadwaja” bristled in the familiar mode by R K Srikantan. The “Deva Deva” was tuneful with crisp swara and “Bhuvaneshwariya Nene Manave” was also lively. Though “Parama Pavana Rama” was chosen for a detailed elaboration, he jettisoned at the last moment for reasons of expediency. The concluding devotionals – Govardhana gireesham and Enagu Aane Ranga – were also pleasing. The nonagenarian’s vocal was so impressive that age for sure has not whithered his spirits. While R S Ramakanth gave active support as a co-singer, Charulatha Ramanujan, H S Sudhindra and Narayana Murthy – accompanied with aplomb.

Sangeetha Surabhi

Veteran violinist M S Gopalakrishnan was conferred with the title “Sangeetha Surabhi” by the Nadasurabhi, on the occasion of the 18th Annual Festival of Music. After the felicitation, MSG gave a violin trio recital, along with his daughter (M Narmada) and son (G Suresh Kumar). ‘Sarasijanabha’ of Swathi Tirunal gave them a good start and ‘Siddi Vinayakam’ of Dikshitar was performed with brief swara. It was followed by few keerthanas – mostly of Saint Tyagaraja – which included a “Pancharathna Krithi” (Sadhinchane), Nee Bhajana Gana, Paralokabhaya and Sarasasamadana.

For some of them swara was rendered by turns, along with ragalapana, briefly. Thodi was chosen for a celebrated keerthane ‘Kaddanuvariki’. But it was evident that his grip on the instrument is lax, with age taking its toll, though he gave glimpses of his past records. Suresh Kumar seemed a little hesitant as he began and was just passable. But Narmada, who led the team, gave a convincing imagery of the melody and did not disappoint.  M T Rajakesari on mridanga and M A Krishnamurthy on ghata, fulfilled the needs of the occasion.

Kala Nadam festival

The “Kala Nadam” – dance and music festival was held successfully last week under the aegis of the Nadam and guidance of Nandini Mehta and Murali Mohan. On Tuesday the programme opened with a tabla solo by Arif Khan. He hails from a musician’s family from Kolkata and has been trained by his father Safeed Khan, a celebrated percussionist. He has travelled widely and has performed for many organisations, both in and outside India. With the harmonium support of Satish Kolli, Arif Khan opened his programme with teen taal. Gradually developing he played different permutations and combinations enhancing the tempo. He has good control over the instrument, but could not rise to any significant heights.

Impressive concert

It was followed by a vocal recital of Jayateertha Mevundi, who is not a stranger to music lovers of Bangalore. He was well supported by Kiran Godkhindi on Tabla and Narendra Nayak on harmonium. Mevundi’s recital took off on a bright note.
From Mandra stayee ascending swara by swara, he gradually reached the thara shadja and gave a good picture of the raga Purvi. The next thumri was brief but he tried to make it wholesome. “Neene Ballidano” was a fine devaranama of Sripadaraja.

Lovely jugalbandi

Popular artistes Sriram Parashuram and Anuradha Sriram gave a Jugalbandi in the same Kala-Nadam Festival. Seasoned instrumentalists accompanied them: Nalina Mohan (violin), Arjun Kumar (mridanga), Rajendra Nakod (tabla) and Puranik (harmonium). The Abhogi varna gave them a steady start. After the Karnatic, the Hindustani style was followed, with bright phrases. Mishra Kalyan was again impressive and even in “Thara Sthayee” high pitch, Anuradha sang with ease and received applause. Hindola was the piece de resistance but again became a abridged version due to shortage of time. They concluded with Bhairavi, customarily. With lively and creative sangathies, the duo impressed the audience. Organisers must give sufficient time for each concert to do justification.

Mysore V Subramanya