BANGALORE: The second annual Oottukadu Venkata Kavi Aaradhana got up at the Krishna Kalakshetra, ISKCON, here last week, was not just a concert event, as it had larger ramifications, especially for scholars and those interested in the history of Carnatic music. With Sudha Raghunathan being the star performer, and preceded by a ‘goshti gaana’ lead by Neela Ramgopal and Chitravina N Ravikiran, the recital no doubt had its musical appeal. But underlying the entire exercise was an attempt to unearth the compositions of this less-heard but brilliant composer.
Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi was as great a devotee of Krishna as Thyagaraja was of Rama.
His songs echo his love and devotion for the lord, and his popular compositions vis a vis concert presentations, however few and far between, speak of a rare depth of scholarship and a sublime appeal in the rhythm, lyrics, and melody.
Hailing from Oottukkadu, near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, Venkata Kavi’s period is attributed between 700 and 765 AD. But it is only in the past few decades that he came to light at all. Harikatha artiste Needamangalam Krishnamoorthy Bhagavathar paved way for this.
Now, Ravikiran is doing extensive research on the neglected Venkata Kavi. As head of the Chennai-based International Foundation for Carnatic Music (IFCM), he has taken up the popularising of Venkata Kavi’s compositions with a missionary zeal. He has in fact authored ‘Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi— Life and Contributions’.
The IFCM, along with Omkaar Jhankaar, ISKCON, Surabhi Gaana Mandira, and Neelambari of vocalist Neela Ramgopal, had got up the programme with great enthusiasm and detail.
And it was but apt that Ravikiran and Neela, both of whom are well-versed in Venkata Kavi’s compositions, took the lead in rendering the ‘Saptaratna kritis’, comprising seven classic compositions of Venkata Kavi. In its second year itself, the Aaradhana has established its objective of bringing together Carnatic musicians from different parts of the country, and have them sing the ‘Saptaratna Kritis’ as a group presentation, and paying obeisance to Venkata Kavi. The programme was also a laudable attempt in bringing the composer’s works to the mainstream.
jyoti@epmltd.com