JOIN USHomage to Guru
Prof M P L Sastry (1912-2001) has served in the field of education for several decades. He was a great scholar and also served as a member of the Legislative Council . Above all, he served as the principal of MES College. He was known for his scholarship, discipline and was conferred the title of ‘Vidya Sagara’ which suited him very well. MES Kalavedi conducts a music festival in his memory every year. Musicians, who are former students of the MES College are invited to perform in the festival.
This year, veena, flute, violin solo, apart from vocal concerts, brought variety to the M P L Sastry Memorial Music Festival held last week. Ashwini K Varaghur (Ashwini B Subramanya) who gave the inaugural concert of the festival, has received the advanced training from Dr N Ramani, under a scholarship from the Human Resource Department.
She is a performing artiste (flute), composer and teacher. The Ragamalika varna gave Ashwini Varghur a fine start. The mohana kalyani krithi of Dr L Muthaiah Bhagavathar was enlivened with a brief swara. In the keerthana “Guruleka Etuvanti”, Tyagaraja says, “No one, however talented and virtuous he may be, can get rid of his mental afflictions without the help of a competent and compassionate Guru. The Guru (mentor), who by the grace of the Lord had spiritual illumination. Only such a mentor can help !
Ashwini’s alaap for Gaurimanohari was as enduring, rising the emotional fervour of the keertana. It was followed by “Annapurne Vishalakshi” at a slow pace. “Entha Muddo Enta Sogaso” with short raga had a lingering effect. Another fine keertana “Evarura ninavina” with spacious alaapana, bristled with some lively phrases. It was melodious and she played with confidence. No doubt, Ashwini has a bright future. M S Govindaswamy, a senior violinist, gave whole-hearted support, while B S Prashanth accompanied on the mridanga with good understanding.
Pleasant vocal
Ranjani Guruprasad performed at a concert jointly organised by the Malleswaram Sangeetha Sabha and Ananya last week. Ranjani Guruprasad, who was earlier known as Ranjani Hebbar, is a postgraduate in music and has received prizes from several reputed sabhas, including the Music Academy.
In the current concert, the majestic raga ‘kalyani’ assumed a stately presence and the composition (Ethavunara) put the concert in a solid mould. The ragalapana itself was well proportioned and the composition acquired a delightful presence.
Of course, the nerval has to be improved to be brought on par with other elements.
Otherwise, it was a classic picture of the haunting melody. A few devaranamas (Kandu Kandu Nee Enna and Hoova Tharuvara Manege Hulla Tharuvare, Lalisidalu Magana) were also pleasing. In total, it was a sure sign of her progress. Young instrumentalists – Vittal Rangan (violin) and Bharadwaj (mridanga) – shared the honours with the vocalist.
Krishna utsav
Sri Venugopalakrishnaswamy Temple, Malleswaram hosted the annual cultural festival in connection with Gokulashtami, which will continue till Friday (September 21). Sanjay Subramanyam, who gave a vocal recital here, attracted a large gathering, a proof of his popularity.
Sanjay mainly dealt with two ragas. First it was ‘mohana’, the evocative raga. He chose a kriti of Tyagaraja “Nanupalimpa” in this raga. On the auspicious occasion of his daughter’s marriage, a student presented a painting of Kodandarama to Tyagaraja. Overwhelmed with joy, the beautiful picture, it is said Saint Tyagaraja composed and sang “Nanu Palimpa” keerthana. The other raga he elaborated was ‘bhairavi’.
He gave a beautiful shape to the raga with evocative sangathies. Thana to the accompaniment of mridanga was striking and complementary to the raga. Pallavi with ragamalika swara was colourful and wholesome. He added in between a devaranama (Enna Rakshiso), Bhogindrashayanam and concluded with a Thillana.
It was a powerful vocal, from which a distinct imagery emerged and connoisseurs enjoyed it throughout. Varadarajan on violin, especially, in the alapana and swara gave good support, Neyveli Venkatesh gave lively accompaniment on mridanga and S Venkataramana was in charge of ‘khanjari’.