Music reviews

Tribute to Haridasas 

Purandara Namana, a tribute to Haridasas of Karnataka was celebrated with music concerts (Carnatic, Hindustani and Sugam Sangeeth), competitions, quiz and Bhajans. 

On the occasion, the ‘Bheemasethu Purandara Prashasthi’ was conferred on Puthur Narasimha Naik (Music), Prof A V Navada (Research), Dr Anasuya Devi (Haridasa Literature) and Bhaskara Sastry (Propagation of Dasa Sahitya) by H H Sri Raghumanya Teertha Swamijee, pontiff of Bheemanakatte Mutt.

It was followed by a vocal recital of Puthur Narasimha Nayak, popular artiste. He presented devaranamas of different Haridasas like Sripadaraja, Kanakadasa, Purandara Dasa and Gopala Dasaru. The ‘Rathavenerida Raghavendra’ gave him a pleasant start, while ‘Bandano’ was sung with good feeling. The ‘Iko Nodi Chikka Hanumantha’ attracted with interesting lyrics also and ‘Bande Yathakamma Lakumi’ – is a good addition to the repertoire of the concert. 

The prelude of alapana for ‘Kande Na Narasimhana’ highlighted the richness of Nayak’s voice! The instrumentalists (Vasantha Kumble – key board, Jayateertha – thabala and Venkatesh Purohith – thaala) shared the honours along with the main artiste.

Bright veena

In the concluding session of the Music Festival under the aegis of the Seshadripuram Rama Seva Samithy, a Veena recital and a vocal concert were held last week. Jayanthi Kumaresh, wellknown Veena player, opened her concert with a varna of Lalgudi Jayaraman. 

‘Raghunayaka’ (Tyagaraja, Hamsadwani), the familiar keerthane was pleasing with the right tempo and the classical stature in her ‘Meru Samana’ was remarkable.

‘Brochevarevare’ in Sriranjini raga, is also not a rare composition. 

Purvi Kalyani was lively and the Shankarabharana raga bhava came alive with powerful phrases. It was followed by ‘Bhakthi Bichameeyave’ – a less known composition of Saint Tyagaraja. 

With melodious ‘meetu’ and bright presentation Jayanthi stole the show. The percussion duo |Arjun Kumar and Guru Prasanna gave lively support throughout the concert.

Reliable reputation

Dr Sukanya Prabhakar is well known in the field not only as a melodious vocalist but also as an able teacher, tunesmith and author of a few books. 

In her concert for the Seshadripuram Rama Seva Samithi the familiar varna ‘Ninnu Kori’ gave her a bright start. Seasoned instrumentalists B Raghuram on violin, C. Cheluvaraj on mridanga and B N Chandramouli on Khanjari, accompanied with good understanding. ‘Vanajaksha’ is a welcome change from the routine krithies. 

Veena Padmanabhaiah’s composition in the raga Malayamarutha was also a infrequent composition. In the ‘Sri Ranganatha Pahimam’ of Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar her treatment had a touch of class.

The very selection of Manirangu for a detailed elaboration, aroused curiosity among the connoisseurs. It reverberated with sweet sangathies and ‘Mamava Pattabhi’ delighted. With few devaranamas like ‘Rama Rama Enniro’ the concert was wholesome one.