Melodious vocal
During the final week of the music festival at Seshadripuram Ramotsava Samithi, two vocal concerts - by one male and another female vocalist - were held.
Mambalam Sisters - Vijayalakshmi and Chitra - gave a fine concert accompanied by Nalina Mohan on violin, C Cheluvaraj on mridanga and B N Chandramouli on khanjari.
In the first half of the concert, the sisters chose Kharaharapriya for elaboration. Favourite of all musicians Kharaharapriya raga was the choice of many artistes during this music season.
In the composition "Pakkala Nilabati" Saint Tyagaraja pleads - "What is the secret of your service in which standing on either side, you both (Sita Devi and Lakshmana) delight the Lord immensely? Do me the favour of revealing the secret so that I may follow suit and redeem myself."
Mambalam sisters presented this composition with good feeling. With meaningful nerval (Tanuvunee Vandana) and good swara prasthara, it was a wholesome treat.
Earlier, the "Mayamma" - with good "bhava" and in "Vilamba Kaala" was quiet impressive.
In between "Santana Gopala", "Kodu Bega Divyamathi Saraswathi" were rendered in a simple way. Shubhapantuvarali alapana and pallavi with ragamalika swara - was the main attraction of their concert.
Impactful concert
Popular artiste R K Padmanabha is known not only as a senior vocalist but also as an able teacher, composer, actor and organiser.
A self composed varna in the raga Purvikalyani gave Padmanabha a bright start. Dikshitar's "Angarakamashrayamam" suited the occasion, as it was a Tuesday.
'Eti Yocanalu' in the raga Kirannavali was a welcome change from the routine compositions.
After the "Sri Rama Padama" (Amritavahini) the "Ksheera sagara shayana" brought an air of dignity. The alapana of Devagandhari enhanced the impact of the concert.
"Marugelara" (Jayanthasri) a popular composition of yesteryears brought nostalgic memories.
Todi was presented in all its attractive facets and the Kruthi "Kaddanuvariki" too was evocative. C N Chandrashekhar, C Cheluvaraj and A S N Swamy ably accompanied on violin, mridanga and khanjari, respectively.
Serene atmosphere
Connoisseurs enjoyed the music concerts at the spacious Sri Vani Kala Kendra open theatre, Basaveshwaranagar, for 31 days, in connection with the Ramotsava.
R S Ramakanth, who performed here in place of his father Dr R K Srikantan, was like a tribute to RKS.
"Intachala," the familiar varna gave Ramakanth a flying start.
"Jaya Janakeekantha" was the invocatory composition, followed by another fine keerthana. One of the fine compositions in Mukhari "Entha nine varnintunu? Shabari Bhagya!" with a brief but impactful raga. Tyagaraja Swamy's "Paripurna Kaama" had a detailed airing with nerval and lively swara. Tyagaraja pleads for His blessings in "Vinarada."
The finale was Kambodi ragalapana and the majestic keertane "Evarimaata." The vocalist was supported by veteran accompanists. M Chandrasekharan on violin and Umayalapuram Shivaraman on mridanga supported on their respective instruments, throughout the concert, while G Guruprasanna on khanjari followed the suite.
Aradhana programme
Sri Mahaganapathi Sangeetha Sabha, KR Puram, conducted the annual Aradhana Mahotsava last week.
"Gaana Kamala" title was conferred on Vidushi Vasantha Madhavi, which was in memory of Ganjigunte Narasimha Murthy.
Pillari geethe (Malahari raga) was followed by the Navaratna malika of Purandara Dasa. The ensemble opened with 'Jaya Janakee Kantha" (in the raga Naata) customarily.
"Aadidano Ranga" (Aarabhi), "Kallu Sakkare Kolliro" (Kalyani), "Odi Baraiah" (Bhairavi) etc.
Then "Pancharathna Kruthies" began with "Jagadananda Karaka" (Naata-Aadi) concluding with "Endaro Mahanubhavalu," the most popular among all the five compositions of "Pancharathna."
They sang in unison and with devotion to the accompaniment of veena, violin and mridanga.