Karnatic music in Harmonica
On Friday, connoisseurs witnessed a different kind of concert at Dr H N Kalakshetra, Jayanagar. Of course, it was announced as 'Karnatic classical music'! But the instrument was of foreign origin! Harmonica or the mouth organ is not a new instrument for music connoisseurs! But classical music in mouth organ - and that too for 2 hours?! - is unusual!
Sai Tejas Chandrasekar, who played the mouth organ, is an MCom graduate and a disciple of Vidushi Roopa Sridhar. He is a scholarship recipient from the Karnataka Sangeetha Nritya Academy and a practitioner of classical vocal, sugama sangeetha and tabla, too. He has won a few prizes and has worked as an RJ for Radio Shruthi, (Worldspace).
Sai Tejas opened with 'Raghu Nayaka' (Hamsadhwani), which gave him a flying start, and was followed by few familiar compositions of Saint Tyagaraja.
Raga 'Bindu Malini' at once attracts even a layman. Thus 'Entha Muddo Entha Sogaso' was evocative. It was followed by Andolika and Huseni. The 'Nalinakanthi raga' was elaborated for 'Manavyalara.'
Touching the pivotal 'swaras,' Sai Tejas gave a colourful picture of the 'raga.' The percussionists - Ranjani Siddanti and B Bhagyalakshmi played 'Tani,' with understanding, though it was slightly overstretched!
'Devaranama' (Jagadoddarana), Saama (Maanasa Sancharare) and western note - were rendered in the post-interval session. J K Sridhar gave good support throughout and especially his 'Nalina Kanthi' was sparkling.
With some more training and stage experience, Sai Tejas Chandrasekhar can reach great heights.
Colourful dance festival
The Sai Arts International conducted the annual dance festival at the Seva Sadana. In the 5-day dance festival, dancers from different states performed Mohini Attam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Sattriya Nritya, apart from Bharathanatya recital.
On Wednesday, a Bharathanatya recital by young dancing couple - Chetan and Chandra Prabha - set in motion the event. The artists are being trained under Suparna Venkatesh and Manjula Paramesh. Pushpanjali and Ganesha Stuti ('Mahaganapathim Manasa Smarami') - gave them a fine start, followed by 'Shringapuradheeswari.'
'Shankara Sri Girinatha,' the devine cosmo dance was quiet attractive and the Kannada Jawadi ('Sariye Ea Reethy'). The performances revealed a good grounding but they have to improve their 'abhinaya.'
Atulya Rakesh, disciple of Vinutha Nedungadi, began her Mohini Attam with a Ganesha stuti and Shiva stuti. Her neck movements (peacock) were also attractive during the performance.
Sahana Balasubramanyam, student of Saroja Vaidyanathan, chose verses from Adi Shankaracharya (Rag Megh), followed by a 'Ganga stotram' (Jaijai Gange).
There was a flowing grace in her 'angikas,' sparkled in well knit Adavus and sleek expressiveness. There was one more Mohiniattam performance by M B Swarna, disciple of Gopika Varma. Opening with 'Ganapathi Stuti' (Aarabhi), she continued with 'Jathiswara.' 'Hari Hareswaran' on Ayyappa was rather theatrical.
Madhulita Mohapatra, senior Odissi dancer, along with two members of the Nrityantar - Anjali Raj Urs and Madhura Sarcar, presented Pallavi in the 'Saveri raga' with grace and charm. The love affair of Radha and Krishna has become the talk of the town.
People on the streets, bazaar of Braja, etc, are talking about the love between Radha and Krishna. This was presented in the 'Bajuchhi Sahi Bajare.' The curtains came down with 'Sakhi bo.' The 'Vasika Sajika Nayika' was well portrayed. The organisers must provide atleast 100 minutes to each dancer, if not they cannot do justice.