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In footsteps of MS

Last Updated 06 March 2016, 20:12 IST
The Ramakrishna Bhajana Sabha Trust is conducting (from February 27 to March 12th) the annual Kalotsava, with music and dance programmes, apart from vedic rituals. Their efforts to provide sufficient opportunities for young artistes was appreciated by all.

S Aishwarya, is the great granddaughter of Dr M S Subbalakshmi, the legendary musician. She was initiated to music by her grand mother Radha Viswanathan and is continuing her training under Jambu Kannan. She is also learning Hindustani music and a student of final year BA.

Aishwarya made an impressive beginning with “Viriboni”, the evergreen varna. The Bhairavi varna in different speeds helped her to bring a musical atmosphere in the Odukathur Mutt Hall. After “Shambho Mahadeva Sharanam” she elaborated raga Kaapi. Today’s trend of the youngsters is only Drutha kaala (speed)! But Aishwarya  began the swara for “Inta Soukhya” in a good vilamba kaala, and rendered several aavarthas in that before taking the druta kaala swara. “Ninuvina Naamadendu”  (Navarasa Kannada) had vintage flavour. Freshening up with the strains of  a wholesome Kalyani, she chose “Bhajare Recitta” a magnificent composition. Dikshitar says in this composition – “Oh mind! Worship Goddess Balambika, the wish yielding creeper (Kalpalatika) to her devotees.”

Aishwarya justified her selection for the concert with all her fervour. Incidentally R K Sriram Kumar, who has also accompanied MS several times, supported the young vocalist and added pep to the concert through his judicious play on violin. So also H S Sudhindra supported on mridanga with aplomb and Phanindra Bhaskara accompanied on Ghata.

Aishwarya, in the second half of the concert, presented a number of compositions popularised by M S Subbalakshmi, which brought nostalgic memories, in the connoisseurs. For instance “Yaduvamsha Kulatilaka” of DVG, “Dhano Dhana’ in Bengali, devarnama “Jagadoddarana,” a few Tamil songs and concluded with “Maitrim Bhajata”. It was good music testifying to good grounding and sincere application. She is bound to make a mark in Karnatic music.

Kalotsava
Sriranjani Santhanagopalan, who gave a vocal concert in the Kalotsava on Wednesday, is the daughter and disciple of Neyveli Santhanagopalan, a senior musician. She has already performed in leading sabhas and gradually trying to establish herself.

Sri Ranjini was well supported by Vittal Rangan on violin, K U Jayachandra Rao on mridanga and Phanindra N on ghata. During the initial stage she rendered “Deva Deva Kalayami” with Mayamalavagaula ragalapana and nerval (Jatarupanibhacela) and well knit swara. A lyric of Gopalakrishna Bharathi, a devaranama of Purandara Dasa “Sharade” and “Ma Ramanan” – were sung neatly. Then it was time for the main raga of  the evening. It was ever popular Mohana, the evocative raga, which showed her in her elements. The Keerthana “Nanupalimpa” is one of the popular compositions of Saint Tyagaraja, which stood out for its range and improvisation. It was a reassuring concert and the well known devotional “Chandrachuda Shiva” was also pleasing.

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(Published 06 March 2016, 20:11 IST)

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