JOIN USSeasoned vocalist
The Rajamahal Vilas Sangeetha Sabha is catering to the cultural needs of the Bangalore North connoisseurs, from last 16 years, by conducting music concerts every month. Last week, a music festival was organized along with the Purandaradasa and Tyagaraja Aradhana Mahotsava. Senior Musician T S Vasantha Madhavi was felicitated on the occasion, in recognition of her services to music.
Mysore Nagamani Srinath, who gave the final concert of the festival on Sunday, is a seasoned vocalist of the State. She presented several fine compositions in a befitting manner. But the main item was raga Dharmavathi, which had a spacious exposition and rounded off with Purandaradasa’s less known devaranama ‘Hariye Sarvothama’. Also the raga was well projected covering all the salient features, in the alapana of Kaanada. The keertane ‘Sukhi evaro’ is a all time favourite one. “Bande Hoyithu Narajanma” is another infrequent pada. She concluded with “Indina dinave Shubha dinavu”. She was well supported by Nalina Mohan (violin), Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma (mridanga) and C P Vyasa Vittala (Khanjari).
Vocal ensemble
Sri Mahaganapathi Sangeetha Sabha (K R Puram) conducted the annual Aradhana Festival at the Mahaganapathi Temple, Devasandra. Veteran vocalist H Ramachandra Rao received the ‘Sabha Sanmana’.
The ensemble opened with Pillari Geethes (Lambodhara, Kundagowra, Kereya neeranu and Padumanabha), customarily. It was followed by Navarathna Malike of Purandara Dasa – Jaya Janakeekantha in Naata raga, Aadidano Ranga (Arabhi), Kallu Sakkare Kolliro (Kalyani), Odi Baraiah (Bhairavi), Sakala Graha Bala Neene (Athana), Pogadiralo Ranga (Shankarabharana), Na Ninna Dhyanadorilu (Kaanada), Krishna Mooruthy Kanna Munde (Kambodhi), Bandanene Ranga (Sri) and Indina dinave shubha dinavu (Suruti).
Then they sang saint Tyagaraja’s evergreen ‘Pancharathna krities’, evocatively. Opening with ‘Jagadanandakaraka’ in Naata, ‘Dudukugala’ in Gowla, ‘Sadhinchane’ in Arabhi, ‘Kanakanaruchira’ in Varali and ‘Endaro Mahanubhavulu’ in Sri. It was rendered one after the other, in unison.
Naada Manthana
Naada Manthana’ – of Meenakshi Ravi, was released last week under the aegis of the Meera Centre for Music Therapy, Education and Research Centre (Manollasini Trust).
Meenakshi is a musician involving in social service with music. She is a post graduate degree holder in music, social work and counselling.
The programme began with a vocal by a group of 25 children between 6 to 10 years. It was a pleasure to watch these children sing “Saptha Swaragala Sangama (of Meenakshi Ravi). It was followed by “Sharanu Sharanu” sung neatly.
Husband and wife duo Madhu Kashyap and H G Krithi gave a fine vocal concert, accompanied by Sandhya Srinath (violin), N G Ravi (mridanga) and M Gururaj (morching).
They presented exclusively compositions of Shyama Sastry, (1762-1827). Shyama Sastry, eldest among the trinity, is known for his compositions on Goddess Devi. His krithies are known for both well knit lyrics and in depth raga bhava.
Ever shining Bhairavi Swarajathi gave the couple a bright start. With brief swara Anandabhairavi krithi was evocative and the Keervani was full of lilting cadences and the Keerthane was invested with a flurry of passages. The ‘Bangaru Kamakshee’ was resplendent with a sleek Nerval and rich swaraprasthara. Indeed, both Madhu Kashyap and Krithi have great future in the years to come.