Traditional Navasandhi
Anuradha Vikranth, director of Drishti School of Dance, gave an interesting dance recital on Navasandhi. Compositions on eight directions, translated by Dwaraki Krishnaswamy - suited the occasion. On each direction concerned Devatha, Vaahana, Aayudha, etc, were in the lyrics and she danced to the background of Nagaswara, Mantra, apart from vocal. No doubt it is a lengthy item ideal to perform in a temple and proved that she had done a good home work. She was supported by a band of musicians - both vocalists and instrumentalists. Earlier, Dr Pappu Venugopala Rao, veteran scholar, was felicitated with "Ganda Panderam."
Samanvay Arts Festival
Sri Raja Rajeshwari Kalaniketan conducted a two-day Samanvay Arts Festival called "Naada Nrithya Vaibhoga." Music and dance were part of the temple rituals from ancient times. Dr Veena Murthy, a senior choreographer and teacher, has conceptualised this temple dance rituals and brought it on the stage with music, dance, pravachana and rituals, in the devine atmosphere of the Sri Venugopalakrishnaswamy Temple, Malleswaram.
On Saturday, Dr Suma Sudhindra, popular veena player, opened her veena concert with a varna in the raga Kalyani. Though it is a familiar varna, she made it interesting by presenting it in different speeds. Then she chose Thodi raga, as the main item of the evening. It bristled in the familiar mode and the thana in different ragas (Varamu, Amrithavarshini and Revathi) lent a well reasoned imagery to the alapana. Two well-known compositions that followed - a devaranama (Krishna Nee Begane Baro) and a thillana (Dhanashri) - were also pleasing. Ganesh Kumar on violin, B C Manjunath on mridanga and Narayana Murthy on ghata - accompanied with good understanding.
Vocal duet in Ramotsava
Sri Rama Seva Mandali is conducting Ramotsava at the Masti Ranga Mandira, Shankarapura, from last 56 years. This year the Mandali had organised dance, harikatha, instrumental ensemble, sugama sangeetha, discourse, astaavadhana, apart from vocal music, during the ten-day festival.
Sri Ram Prasad and Ram Kumar, who gave a vocal duet in the Mandali on Thursday, are well-known as Malladi Brothers. Their concert for lovers of music, is always a good treat. Especially their repertoire of Tyagaraja, Bhadrachala Ramadas and Annamacharya - are well known and connoisseurs eagerly look forward for rare and less known compositions in their programmes!
So also, in the current concert, the Brothers chose a number of meaningful Keerthanas of Saint Tyagaraja. For instance we can take "Ramabhi Rama." In the composition the composer says - "Enchanting Rama! Can you not converse with me with warmth and affection for ever?" The alapana of Dhanyasi stood out for its classicism and "ragabhava." With nerval (Sangitamu Baadumamnu Saami Tyagarajunito) and Swara Prasthara, it became "wholesome and evocative." Oka Maata Oka Baanamu" in Hari Kambodhi and "Munduvenaka" were rendered in quick succession.
Another fine composition "Ne Pogada Unte" was neatly executed, with nerval (Neerajanayana Sri Tyagarajanutha) and swara prasthara. Nalina Mohan, B C Manjunath and Guru Prasanna accompanied with aplomb on violin, mridanga and khanjari, respectively.
Beautiful Mohiniattamm
Gopika Varma, internationally acclaimed dancer and recipient of "Nritya Choodamani" title, gave a beautiful mohiniattam recital. She opened her programme with Ahalya, based on Rabindranath Tagore's story. The second one was on Yashoda and Krishna. With natural grace she danced through with good foot work and beautiful expression, exclusive to Mohiniattam.
Anuradha Vikranth, director of Drishti School of Dance, gave an interesting dance recital on Navasandhi. Compositions on eight directions, translated by Dwaraki Krishnaswamy - suited the occasion. On each direction concerned Devatha, Vaahana, Aayudha, etc, were in the lyrics and she danced to the background of Nagaswara, Mantra, apart from vocal. No doubt it is a lengthy item ideal to perform in a temple and proved that she had done a good home work. She was supported by a band of musicians - both vocalists and instrumentalists. Earlier, Dr Pappu Venugopala Rao, veteran scholar, was felicitated with "Ganda Panderam."
Samanvay Arts Festival
Sri Raja Rajeshwari Kalaniketan conducted a two-day Samanvay Arts Festival called "Naada Nrithya Vaibhoga." Music and dance were part of the temple rituals from ancient times. Dr Veena Murthy, a senior choreographer and teacher, has conceptualised this temple dance rituals and brought it on the stage with music, dance, pravachana and rituals, in the devine atmosphere of the Sri Venugopalakrishnaswamy Temple, Malleswaram.
On Saturday, Dr Suma Sudhindra, popular veena player, opened her veena concert with a varna in the raga Kalyani. Though it is a familiar varna, she made it interesting by presenting it in different speeds. Then she chose Thodi raga, as the main item of the evening. It bristled in the familiar mode and the thana in different ragas (Varamu, Amrithavarshini and Revathi) lent a well reasoned imagery to the alapana. Two well-known compositions that followed - a devaranama (Krishna Nee Begane Baro) and a thillana (Dhanashri) - were also pleasing. Ganesh Kumar on violin, B C Manjunath on mridanga and Narayana Murthy on ghata - accompanied with good understanding.
Vocal duet in Ramotsava
Sri Rama Seva Mandali is conducting Ramotsava at the Masti Ranga Mandira, Shankarapura, from last 56 years. This year the Mandali had organised dance, harikatha, instrumental ensemble, sugama sangeetha, discourse, astaavadhana, apart from vocal music, during the ten-day festival.
Sri Ram Prasad and Ram Kumar, who gave a vocal duet in the Mandali on Thursday, are well-known as Malladi Brothers. Their concert for lovers of music, is always a good treat. Especially their repertoire of Tyagaraja, Bhadrachala Ramadas and Annamacharya - are well known and connoisseurs eagerly look forward for rare and less known compositions in their programmes!
So also, in the current concert, the Brothers chose a number of meaningful Keerthanas of Saint Tyagaraja. For instance we can take "Ramabhi Rama." In the composition the composer says - "Enchanting Rama! Can you not converse with me with warmth and affection for ever?" The alapana of Dhanyasi stood out for its classicism and "ragabhava." With nerval (Sangitamu Baadumamnu Saami Tyagarajunito) and Swara Prasthara, it became "wholesome and evocative." Oka Maata Oka Baanamu" in Hari Kambodhi and "Munduvenaka" were rendered in quick succession.
Another fine composition "Ne Pogada Unte" was neatly executed, with nerval (Neerajanayana Sri Tyagarajanutha) and swara prasthara. Nalina Mohan, B C Manjunath and Guru Prasanna accompanied with aplomb on violin, mridanga and khanjari, respectively.
Beautiful Mohiniattamm
Gopika Varma, internationally acclaimed dancer and recipient of "Nritya Choodamani" title, gave a beautiful mohiniattam recital. She opened her programme with Ahalya, based on Rabindranath Tagore's story. The second one was on Yashoda and Krishna. With natural grace she danced through with good foot work and beautiful expression, exclusive to Mohiniattam.