Rama Katha
Prof S K Ramachandra Rao (1925-2006) was a multifarious talented person, whose contribution to Indian culture, philosophy, arts are phenomenal. His works, both in Kannada and English, are being published by Prof S K Ramachandra Rao Memorial Trust through Surama Prakashana. Last week, two books - one on dance (Bharathanatya Shastra) and the other on music (Namma Sangeetha Mathu Vaggeyakararu) - were released. After the function, a dance recital on Lord Rama was presented.
Satyanarayana Raju, who gave the dance recital, is a senior dancer of the State and an able teacher as well. Based on fine compositions of different composers, in his solo performance, he presented different episodes of Ramayana. He opened the programme with "Melukovayya", a popular composition in the raga Bhauli. Saint Tyagaraja says in this composition - "O Rama! King of Kings, Royal Warrior! Please wake up quickly. Hosts of celestials and kings are waiting for your 'Darshana' and to worship you."
It was followed by "Thumaka chalata Ramachandra" wherein Kousalya's motherly feelings were expressed beautifully. In the next krithi - "Pattabhishekavelallo", Satyanarayana performed the role of Manthara and Kaikeyee with popular appeal, though wee bit loud at times. Characters like Guha, Shabari and Hanumantha - were portrayed through different compositions, pleasingly. If a link is knitted between the compositions and the story, it would become more impressive. Srivatsa's melodious music was complementary to the dance and a team of talented artistes Shakunthala Prabath (Natuvanga), Veda Krishna (mridanga), Dayakar (violin), Shubha Santosh (veena) and R K Usha (compering) - supported the dancer.
Compositions in Kannada
Shantha Vijayaraghavan, an engineer by profession, is also a musician and composer. She has composed a number of compositions in Kannada on different deities and places of pilgrimage. Her collection of songs RAGASUDHA was released on Saturday at the Gayana Samaja Auditorium.
After the release, young vocalist Pawan Rangachar gave a vocal concert ably supported by Anirudda on violin, B.S. Prashanth on mridanga and Raghunandan on ghata.
Pawan Rangachar opened his concert briskly with a varna of Lalgudi Jayaraman, in the raga Nalinakanthi. Then he chose "Deva Deva Kalayambike", a celebrated composition, with brief nerval. 'Sriranganatha' of Shantha Vijayaraghavan in the raga Madhyamavathi is a welcome addition to the concert repertoire. After the 'Marakatha Marahara Kumara' he elaborated Kalyani raga. Alapana was short but was rendered with good ragabhava.
The familiar composition "Pankaja Lochana" was briefly elaborated with swara. He
concluded with two devotionals - Namajapa and Hari Hara Nimmanu Mechisabahudu. Pawan has good voice and sings with sincerity. He has a bright future with more stage experience.
Prof S K Ramachandra Rao (1925-2006) was a multifarious talented person, whose contribution to Indian culture, philosophy, arts are phenomenal. His works, both in Kannada and English, are being published by Prof S K Ramachandra Rao Memorial Trust through Surama Prakashana. Last week, two books - one on dance (Bharathanatya Shastra) and the other on music (Namma Sangeetha Mathu Vaggeyakararu) - were released. After the function, a dance recital on Lord Rama was presented.
Satyanarayana Raju, who gave the dance recital, is a senior dancer of the State and an able teacher as well. Based on fine compositions of different composers, in his solo performance, he presented different episodes of Ramayana. He opened the programme with "Melukovayya", a popular composition in the raga Bhauli. Saint Tyagaraja says in this composition - "O Rama! King of Kings, Royal Warrior! Please wake up quickly. Hosts of celestials and kings are waiting for your 'Darshana' and to worship you."
It was followed by "Thumaka chalata Ramachandra" wherein Kousalya's motherly feelings were expressed beautifully. In the next krithi - "Pattabhishekavelallo", Satyanarayana performed the role of Manthara and Kaikeyee with popular appeal, though wee bit loud at times. Characters like Guha, Shabari and Hanumantha - were portrayed through different compositions, pleasingly. If a link is knitted between the compositions and the story, it would become more impressive. Srivatsa's melodious music was complementary to the dance and a team of talented artistes Shakunthala Prabath (Natuvanga), Veda Krishna (mridanga), Dayakar (violin), Shubha Santosh (veena) and R K Usha (compering) - supported the dancer.
Compositions in Kannada
Shantha Vijayaraghavan, an engineer by profession, is also a musician and composer. She has composed a number of compositions in Kannada on different deities and places of pilgrimage. Her collection of songs RAGASUDHA was released on Saturday at the Gayana Samaja Auditorium.
After the release, young vocalist Pawan Rangachar gave a vocal concert ably supported by Anirudda on violin, B.S. Prashanth on mridanga and Raghunandan on ghata.
Pawan Rangachar opened his concert briskly with a varna of Lalgudi Jayaraman, in the raga Nalinakanthi. Then he chose "Deva Deva Kalayambike", a celebrated composition, with brief nerval. 'Sriranganatha' of Shantha Vijayaraghavan in the raga Madhyamavathi is a welcome addition to the concert repertoire. After the 'Marakatha Marahara Kumara' he elaborated Kalyani raga. Alapana was short but was rendered with good ragabhava.
The familiar composition "Pankaja Lochana" was briefly elaborated with swara. He
concluded with two devotionals - Namajapa and Hari Hara Nimmanu Mechisabahudu. Pawan has good voice and sings with sincerity. He has a bright future with more stage experience.