Impressive performance

Sreenath has a good voice that easily produces spirals. Manodharma is his strong forte which he completely utilises to give his best than in the kalpitha sangeetha. Whether short or elaborate, the shades of a raga is created in alapana . With a good hold on the laya, naturally he is more impressive in kalpana swaras too.

He started the concert with a varna in the raga thodi ‘Eranapai’ in Adi tala. The lovely composition of Muthaiyya Bhagavathar in Mohanakalyani ‘Siddhivinayakam Teveham’ was followed by a fair exposition of Kharaharapriya in which he touched the mandra panchama. “Rama Nee Samanamevaru”of Tyagaraja was presented with a neraval at “Paluku paluku lakutene” with a frill of swarakalpana.

“Rama mantrava japiso” (Jonpuri-Adi-Purandaradasa) was interesting with the charanas that are usually not sung. The main raga was purvikalyani in which he sang “Shree Meenakshimemudam” of Muthuswami Dixitar. Young Arjun has a lot of scope to improve.

Experience can certainly make him a good violinist. Eshwar Bhat and Ramesh gave a good support on the mridanga and ghata.

Bharathi who gave a veena concert in the same venue found the shruthi alignment a challenge. Good manodharma and control on the speed backed up her playing. The fingers move effortlessly on the frets displaying her confidence. In the main kruthi “Kamakshi” this was evident in the alapana and kalpana swaras. “Shree MahaGanapathim” (Gowla-Misra chapu-Muthuswami Dixitar), “Shobhillu sapthaswara”(Jaganmohini-Rupaka-Tyagaraja) and “Sakalagrahabala neene”(Athana-Adi-Purandaradasa),”Marivere gati”(Anandabhairavi-Misrachapu- Shyama Shastri), “Marakathavalli”(Kambodhi-Adi-Muthuswami Dixitar) were the other kruthis she played.

A Devaranama in Malayamarutha “Smaraneyonde Saalade” was neatly presented. The unclear notes were an obstruction for the flow of nada and this prevailed throughout the concert. M S Jayaram and Manjunath contributed their best for the success of the concert.

“Sushira”  V Deshikachar’s  Academy of Music, a trust for promoting music celebrated its 11th anniversary by organising music concerts. Rajashree Josyer Srikanth sang on August 16 at the Veene Sheshanna Bhavana along with T N Tyagarajan(violin), A Radhesh(mridanga) and Raghunandan(ghata). Rajashree is both a good singer and an accomplished veena player .  A melodious voice and perfect hold on the laya results in her matured presentation that is absorbing. This is evident in the different patterns of kalpanaswaras which also carries on the ragabhava.

‘Chalamela’,(Natakuranji Varna) the opener assured of the musical treat that was to follow. Muthaiyya Bhagavathar’s ‘Gam Ganapathe’ in Hamsadhwani was firm with crisp swaras. ‘Neevadanegaana’ of Tyagaraja in Saranga carried the  flavour of this lovely raga in every phrase. Her kalpana swaras are brisk and an extension of the raga. Raga Kalyani was impressive right from the opening phrase with an approach that gave a new dimension. Equally inspiring was Tyagarajan’s Violin, that brought out the melody of Kalyani. ‘Ninuvina gathi’ of Subbaraya Shastri was different with a chitteswara.

A raga thana pallavi in Natakuranji was the highlight of the day. The pallavi was studded with Sahitya with little space to breathe. “Rama nee dayaraduga naadupai Raghukula tilaka Seetha” was set to khanda triputa tala. An elaborate alapa , tana and a ragamalike in varali, Behag and Revathi spoke of her maturity. A judicial use of birkas and proper enunciation would have enhanced the quality. The percussionists Radhesh and Raghunandan contributed immensely with their lively tani avarthana.