Nitya Nritya
"Nitya Nritya" - a three-day National Conference and Festival of Dance, was held under the auspices of the Nupura. Kathakali, Odissi and Mohiniyattam, apart from Bharathanatya recitals and lecture demonstrations on different subjects of dance were presented.
Dr Ranjitha Vivin of Nupura School presented "Vande Padmanabham" last week. Ranjitha, a senior student of Lalitha Srinivasan, has completed her Ranga Pravesha in 2001 and has performed in the UK, USA and Canada, apart from important centres in India.
Dr Ranjitha had chosen compositions of Swati Thirunal for her current programme. Swati Thirunal (1813-1846), the royal composer of Travancore, was a prolific composer in the galaxy of great composers of Karnatak Music. He has composed a variety of compositions like varna, daru, keerthane, pada, thillana in the pen name of Padmanabha. They are in seven languages and some of them are in Hindustani style also. A few of them are popular in dance too.
Dr Ranjitha opened her programme with a invocatory piece (raga Hamsadwani) customarily followed by a Devi Stuthi in the raga Shudda Saveri. The Thana varna (Kambodhi) was the main item of the programme. With Gajendra Moksha, Draupadi and Rukmani episodes in the 'Sanchari' the varna was well presented by the dancer.
In fact, it was proof of Ranjitha's progress over the years. The javali (Behag) provided her a good opportunity to exhibit her Abinaya talent and concluded with a Ragamalika thillana.
Guru Lalitha Srinivasan (natuvanga), Srivatsa (vocal), Narayan Swamy (mridanga), Vivek Krishna (flute) and T.S. Krishnamurthi (violin) - supported from the wings.
Rare theme
Dr Radhika Nandakumar is a senior dancer from Mysore, an able teacher and a choreographer. For the "Nitya Nritya' dance festival, she had selected a very interesting story called "Indra Dhwaja Mahotsava". Brahma taught 'Natya Vidya' to Bharatha; Bharatha taught the same to his children - so on and so forth the Guru parampara continued.
The choreographer had made use of physical exercises, different items of dance; and had brought a real magician on the stage along with a bird (pigeon).
But it was prolonged and to make it more impactful, needs editing. Radhika Nandakumar in the lead role and R S Nandakumar's vocal and Jayachandra Rao's instrumental music - also caught the attention.
Navarathri Utsav
Navarathri was celebrated not only in Mysore but all over the State. In Bangalore, most of the temples celebrated Navarathri with both religious and cultural programmes. Colourful decorations and different "alankara" to principal deities every day and exhibitions of dolls - were the main attractions, and devotees every where celebrated Navarathri with traditional pomp and gaiety.
One such temple, Sri Kanchi Shankar Mutt, Malleswaram, celebrated the Navarathri Utsav for ten days with music (vocal, veena and violin), naama sankeerthane and parayanam. Young Ramakrishna Murthy who sang here on Sunday started music lessons from Smt Padma Kutty (USA) and is continuing the training under Delhi Sunder Rajan and Vairamangalam Lakshmi Narayanan. In a short spell itself he has earned the goodwill of connoisseurs through his talent and good performances. For instance, he has been declared the "Best Vocalist" of the season by the Music Academy, more than once.
With all these background young Ramakrishna Murthy had attracted a good gathering in the current concert. "Suma Sayaka" the varna of Swati Thirunal Maharaja, gave the vocalist a bright start and the next two compositions on Devi, helped bring a good musical atmosphere. "Kanjadalayathakshi Kamakshi" in Kamalamanohari and "O Jagadamba" with a detailed swara prasthara was evocative. Kalyani, the majestic raga, had a detailed airing with a gentle touch of pivotal swaras.
Another fine composition "Kamalamba Bhajare" with a meaningful nerval (Nitya Kalyani Kathyayini) and well woven swara - was quiet apt for the occasion. "Maanabhimanam" in ragamalika was delightful and concluded with "Sarvamangala Mangalye". Ramakrishna Murthy won the hearts of the music lovers and all that he needs is some more experience to reach the top. Tiruvaroor Bhakthavatsala added pep to the concert throughout with his powerful strokes while Ananthakrishna and G S Nagaraj accompanied on violin and Khanjari respectively.
Good Classicism
Sriram Prasad and Ravikumar - known as Malladi Brothers to music lovers presented a number of compositions on Devi, on the occasion of Navarathri, held under the aegis of the Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji's 80th Avatara Mahotsava Samithi Trust. They were well supported by Pradeshachar on violin, Tumkur Ravishankar on mridanga and Shashi Shankar on ghata. "Sri Shankara Guruvaram" was pleasing and the very selection of raga Devagandhari was appreciated.
The "Kamadhenukam Ashraye" (Dhenuka) was by a lesser known composer Srinivasa Sharma. In the first half they elaborated "Chintayamam Kandamoola" - a well known keertane of Deekshitar delightfully. In the second half, the brothers chose "Sarojadalanetri" for a detailed elaboration. It was as usual of good classicism, though not one of their best! In between they also sang - Pannagam Prarthaye, Nanukanathalli, Rama Bhaktha, Sri Rama ...Sringara Rama and others neatly.
"Nitya Nritya" - a three-day National Conference and Festival of Dance, was held under the auspices of the Nupura. Kathakali, Odissi and Mohiniyattam, apart from Bharathanatya recitals and lecture demonstrations on different subjects of dance were presented.
Dr Ranjitha Vivin of Nupura School presented "Vande Padmanabham" last week. Ranjitha, a senior student of Lalitha Srinivasan, has completed her Ranga Pravesha in 2001 and has performed in the UK, USA and Canada, apart from important centres in India.
Dr Ranjitha had chosen compositions of Swati Thirunal for her current programme. Swati Thirunal (1813-1846), the royal composer of Travancore, was a prolific composer in the galaxy of great composers of Karnatak Music. He has composed a variety of compositions like varna, daru, keerthane, pada, thillana in the pen name of Padmanabha. They are in seven languages and some of them are in Hindustani style also. A few of them are popular in dance too.
Dr Ranjitha opened her programme with a invocatory piece (raga Hamsadwani) customarily followed by a Devi Stuthi in the raga Shudda Saveri. The Thana varna (Kambodhi) was the main item of the programme. With Gajendra Moksha, Draupadi and Rukmani episodes in the 'Sanchari' the varna was well presented by the dancer.
In fact, it was proof of Ranjitha's progress over the years. The javali (Behag) provided her a good opportunity to exhibit her Abinaya talent and concluded with a Ragamalika thillana.
Guru Lalitha Srinivasan (natuvanga), Srivatsa (vocal), Narayan Swamy (mridanga), Vivek Krishna (flute) and T.S. Krishnamurthi (violin) - supported from the wings.
Rare theme
Dr Radhika Nandakumar is a senior dancer from Mysore, an able teacher and a choreographer. For the "Nitya Nritya' dance festival, she had selected a very interesting story called "Indra Dhwaja Mahotsava". Brahma taught 'Natya Vidya' to Bharatha; Bharatha taught the same to his children - so on and so forth the Guru parampara continued.
The choreographer had made use of physical exercises, different items of dance; and had brought a real magician on the stage along with a bird (pigeon).
But it was prolonged and to make it more impactful, needs editing. Radhika Nandakumar in the lead role and R S Nandakumar's vocal and Jayachandra Rao's instrumental music - also caught the attention.
Navarathri Utsav
Navarathri was celebrated not only in Mysore but all over the State. In Bangalore, most of the temples celebrated Navarathri with both religious and cultural programmes. Colourful decorations and different "alankara" to principal deities every day and exhibitions of dolls - were the main attractions, and devotees every where celebrated Navarathri with traditional pomp and gaiety.
One such temple, Sri Kanchi Shankar Mutt, Malleswaram, celebrated the Navarathri Utsav for ten days with music (vocal, veena and violin), naama sankeerthane and parayanam. Young Ramakrishna Murthy who sang here on Sunday started music lessons from Smt Padma Kutty (USA) and is continuing the training under Delhi Sunder Rajan and Vairamangalam Lakshmi Narayanan. In a short spell itself he has earned the goodwill of connoisseurs through his talent and good performances. For instance, he has been declared the "Best Vocalist" of the season by the Music Academy, more than once.
With all these background young Ramakrishna Murthy had attracted a good gathering in the current concert. "Suma Sayaka" the varna of Swati Thirunal Maharaja, gave the vocalist a bright start and the next two compositions on Devi, helped bring a good musical atmosphere. "Kanjadalayathakshi Kamakshi" in Kamalamanohari and "O Jagadamba" with a detailed swara prasthara was evocative. Kalyani, the majestic raga, had a detailed airing with a gentle touch of pivotal swaras.
Another fine composition "Kamalamba Bhajare" with a meaningful nerval (Nitya Kalyani Kathyayini) and well woven swara - was quiet apt for the occasion. "Maanabhimanam" in ragamalika was delightful and concluded with "Sarvamangala Mangalye". Ramakrishna Murthy won the hearts of the music lovers and all that he needs is some more experience to reach the top. Tiruvaroor Bhakthavatsala added pep to the concert throughout with his powerful strokes while Ananthakrishna and G S Nagaraj accompanied on violin and Khanjari respectively.
Good Classicism
Sriram Prasad and Ravikumar - known as Malladi Brothers to music lovers presented a number of compositions on Devi, on the occasion of Navarathri, held under the aegis of the Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji's 80th Avatara Mahotsava Samithi Trust. They were well supported by Pradeshachar on violin, Tumkur Ravishankar on mridanga and Shashi Shankar on ghata. "Sri Shankara Guruvaram" was pleasing and the very selection of raga Devagandhari was appreciated.
The "Kamadhenukam Ashraye" (Dhenuka) was by a lesser known composer Srinivasa Sharma. In the first half they elaborated "Chintayamam Kandamoola" - a well known keertane of Deekshitar delightfully. In the second half, the brothers chose "Sarojadalanetri" for a detailed elaboration. It was as usual of good classicism, though not one of their best! In between they also sang - Pannagam Prarthaye, Nanukanathalli, Rama Bhaktha, Sri Rama ...Sringara Rama and others neatly.