Music reviews

Thanthri Naadamani

Reputed violinists Mysore Nagaraj and Mysore Manjunath gave a violin duet, at the Kanchi Shankar Mutt, Malleswara. Earlier Jayendra Saraswathi Swamijee conferred the title “Thanthri Naadamani” on Nagaraj and Manjunath.

Mysore Nagaraj and Manjunath are popular both as soloists and most sought after accompanists. The opening raga Kaanada, the soulful melody, helped to bring a fine musical atmosphere. Saint Tyagaraja’s popular krithi ‘Mokshamugalada’ delighted the listeners. Raga prelude for ‘Annapurne Vishalakshi’ was too brief, still impactful. They justified the expectation in the “Sarojadalanethri” kruthi also. Alapana, nerval and swara – all reverberated with clarity and had a touch of class.

They concluded with another devotional “Venkatachala Nilayam” and the connoisseurs enjoyed the concert throughout. Senior percussionist Thiruvarur Bhakthavatsala rose to great heights in his supporting role and Vyasa Vittala on Khanjari, followed the suit.

L

ingering effect
Sikkil Mala Chandrasekhar, who hails from a reputed musicians family, gave a flute recital on Friday, under the aegis of the Bangalore Lalitha Kala Parishat. She was well supported by B K Raghu on violin, K U Jayachandra Rao on mridanga and S Srishyla on ghata.

Mala laid a strong foundation for a good concert, through a varna in the raga Reethigowla.

‘Gajavadana’ with brief swara, was pleasing “Mayamma” left a fleeting feeling on the listener. ‘Tharamugadura’ of Veena Seshanna glowed with elegant alapana and crisp swara. A composition each of Tyagaraja and Muthaiah Bhagawathar, were rendered in quick succession. Kambodhi anchored well to the lilting gait to leave a lingering effect. Mala Chandrasekhar justified the reputation she has built for herself in a distinguished career. Even the tail enders – a devaranama (Jagadoddarana) and thillana (Behag) – were melodious and pleasing.

Concerts with unique flavour
The Bharatiya Saamagana Sabha organised its annual music festival last week, which was different from the routine programmes. ‘Raga Sambhrama’ – in the festival of ragas, each musician was asked to present one raga. “Raga Sambhrama” gave a good opportunity for the connoisseurs to enjoy and experience few major ragas of Karnatic music.

After the formal inauguration of the festival by Padmashree V R Gowrishankar (Administrator, Sri Sharada Peetha, Sringeri), Abhishek Raghuram gave the first concert of the series and chose Shanmukhapriya. It is the 56th mela and also known as Chamara in the Kanakambari list. He opened the concert with the invocatory piece “Siddi Vinayakam” and gave a detailed alapana of the raga. Comparatively Thana was brief and the Pallavi was set to Khanda Triputa Thala.

It was embellished with swaraprasthara, though one felt it was hurriedly ended. It was good, though it had nothing special to offer. Violinist (Vittala Ramamurthy) started ragalapana earnestly, but was forced to shift to thana, abruptly! Young Anantha Krishanan was in charge of Mridanga.

Popular flautist Shashank Subramanyam presented raga Sarasangi. Developing the raga leisurely he lent a convincing imagery of the melody. There was good clarity even in the ‘Drutha Kaala’ and played the Pallavi with good feeling. Akkarai Subbalakshmi and Arjun Kumar accompanied on violin and mridanga with good understanding.

Keervani, the evocative raga, was the choice of P Unnikrishnan, well known vocalist. Kannada devaranama “Sarvaparadhava Kshamisaiah” gave him a sound beginning. After an evocative alapana, Thana (with the support of mridanga) was pleasant and the Pallavi (Khanda Triputa) was impressive. Akkarai Subbalakshmi on violin and Anantha R Krishnan on mridanga, supported the vocalist.