JOIN USSaamagana festival
The Bharatiya Saamagana Sabha felicitated Dr Nedanuri Krishna Murthy, veteran musician, with the ‘Saamagana Matanga Award,’ as part of the annual music festival. Abhishek Raghuram who gave the final concert of the festival, hails from a reputed musicians’ family.
He is the grandson of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Palghat Raghu and has been guided by Vidwan P S Narayana Swamy also.
Being one of our sought after vocalist, he has performed in leading festivals and prestigious sabhas climbing the ladder of success quickly. A post graduate Abhishek is also well versed in khanjari and has received awards and prizes from reputed organisations, including Music Academy, Chennai.
Abhishek Raghuram, as expected attracted a large gathering and fulfilled the expectations of his fans. ‘IntachaLa’ the familiar Varna, in two speeds gave him a bright start. ‘Janakee Ramana’ with brief swara was evocative.
Another fine kruthi ‘Garuda Gamanasamayamide’ again with brief raga and swara was highlighted stylistically. But the young vocalist is tempted by the middle and fast tempo more. A slightly slower tempo and a few in ‘Vilamba Kaala,’ would have invested it with greater grandeur.
After Janakee Ramana, he rendered ‘Yemaiah Rama’ emphasising the lyrical appeal. Todi alapana with bright phrases for the ‘Karthikeya Gangeya’ of Papanasha shivan was the main item of the evening.
Further the nerval was redolent with a number of qualitative sangathie and lively swara. Charulatha Ramanujan on violin, Neyveli Narayan on mridanga and Guruprasanna on khanjari supported with good understanding.
Samanvaya Kala Kendra
The Samanvaya Kala Kendra is serving the music field in different ways. Though music (both vocal and instrumental) training is the main object, the institution also conducts a music programme (Samanthiny) on every second Saturday, workshop on Haridasa compositions (Dasa Smrithi) etc.
The Kendra celebrated the aradhana mahotsava last week, in which both young musicians and seniors took active part. They started with ‘unchavrithy’ customarily and a special programme on the ‘Kshetra darshana’ compositions of Purandara dasaru was also presented. Nine devaranamas on different pilgrimage places of Karnataka visited by Purandara dasaru was presented in the form of a ‘Roopaka.’
The title ‘Sangeethakala Samanvitha’ was conferred on A Rajachar, nonagenarian percussionist. Saint Tyagaraja’s ‘Pancharatna Krithies’ are known as five gems of Karnatic music. The ensemble sang them in Naata, Gowla, Arabhi, Varali and Sri Ragas in that order. The lyrics and music matching each other were complimentary. It was a unique experience to hear these compositions with hundred voices, accompanied by violin and percussion. CD ‘Ide Samaya’ sung by Master Suhas, Surabhi, and Anvitha (all below 12 years) and directed by Tirumale Srinivas, was also released on the occasion.
Devotional songs
Under the joint auspices of Sri Rama Mandira (Malleswaram) and Madhwani Sangeetha Kala Vedike, a special ‘Dasavani’ programme was held in the serene atmosphere of the Rama Mandira. Madhavachar Joshi of Raichur was initiated to music by his father Sarwantharyami Joshi and continued with Vayu Jeevothama Achar Joshi and has performed in a few places, both in and outside Bangalore. He is also teaching young aspirants at Saraswathi Sangeetha Shale and has specialised in Haridasa compositions.Madhavachar Joshi paid obeisance to invocatory God through the ‘Sathatha Gananatha’ followed by a composition in the raga Yaman. Viyayadasa’s Pada (Bheemapalas Raga) ‘Laguna Dorakitalla’ attracted with its interesting lyrics. Dayamadi, Ganapathi enna paliso were also rendered by him. Description of ‘Kailasa’ in the devaranama of Mahipathi Dasaru caught the attention of the listeners. ‘Anjike inyatakayya’ is a ever popular devaranama. Madhavachar Joshi has good voice and the rendering is simple. But sometimes the pronunciation of the lyrics is not clear and clarity lacking. By experience he can make his vocal impactful. Purnaprasad (bulbul tarang), Srinivas Kakhandiki (tabala) and Raghu (dolak)- supported the young vocalist.