Vocal excellence requires a combination of musicality, timing, phrasing, creativity and intelligence. All these elements sparkled in maestro TV Shankaranarayanan’s recital for Nadajyothi Sri Thyagarajaswamy Bhajana Sabha during its Nadajyothi Suvarna Sambhrama on Sunday at Sri Kannika Parameshwari Temple, Malleswaram, With witty and insightful repartee with the accompanists, the vocalist hit all the right notes. A spirited set of songs was performed by the master musician who knows how to have fun too.
Any new chance to enjoy his vocal artistry is a great gift, whether he is getting into the heart of a krithi or the scholarly swaraprastaras especially the sarvalaghu patterns. He respects and finds the essence of each lyric that he sings and as applauded for his very initial number Mahaganapathim. Ramaabhirama was sung with dignity. He was really exceptional in delineating Kalyani for a old time favorite krithi Himadri suthe paahimaam. He regaled the listeners with a fine singing of Dasa’s pada Sakalagrahabala neene. Nee dayarada in Vasantha Bhairavi and a detailed Maa Janaki (Kambhoji) reflected the glory of the old world music. R.Rahul (violin), N.C.Bharadwaj (mridanga) and S. Venkataram (khanjira)’s support was solid.
Dynamic veena recital
The dynamic veena recital by one of the leading vainikas Dr Suma Sudheendra at the same venue on Tuesday demonstrated that her style is anchored in pure classicism.
The accompanying musicians Nalina Mohan (violin), Anur Ananthakrishna Sharma (mridanga) and Narayanamurthy (ghata) were all excellent. Suma’s student Mythili gave a good account of herself.
The concert began with a varna (Vanajakshi) rendered in different kaalaas. She saluted Lord Ganesha through Maha Ganapathim. The popular Kamalamanohari krithi Kanjadalaayataakshi was crisp and she took up a demanding raga Reetigowla for elaboration. The jeeva swaras were highlighted and a bright picture of the raga pleased one and all. As expected, Janani ninnu vina (Shyama Sastry) was presented in an impressive manner. Jalandhara in Valachi was striking.
There’s something about watching her designing and developing a glorious Madhyamavathi with little effort. The krithi was ornamented by sahitya and swara extensions. A brief tana further beautified the raga bhava. The powerful and speedy sequences were particularly exciting.
Fine young vocalist
The valedictory programme of the 50 day mega festival Nadajyothi Suvarna Sambhrama featured a lovely vocal recital by young Lavanya Krishnamurthy which marked the decisive arrival of a fine young recitalist. Her enterprising programme consisted of varied compositions and ragas interpreted with great wit and panache. The concert had a flying start with an interesting varna. That she is remarkably accomplished and confident in her ability was proved in the manner in which she treated Saraswathi namostute (Saraswathi raga) and Sri Harivallabhe (Udayaravi chandrika). Dasa’s devaranama Marulu maadikonde in Neelambari raga and Bhavayami Gopalabalam impressed the rasikas. She conveyed the mystical beauty of Varali raga and Thyagaraja’s krithi Eti janma. She delivered an enterprising swaraprastara with a laudable flair, style and musical imagination.
Vividly stylish and responsive accompaniment lent by a set of budding accompanists Apoorva Krishna (violin), Anur Vinod Shyam (mridanga) and Sunad Anur (khanjari) enhanced the delightful musical menu of the above concert.
Nadajyothi awards presented
This was followed by a colourful valedictory programme. The Kalajyothi awardees of this year RK Padmanabha, Professor Nagamani G Srinath and Dr Suma Sudheendra, the Nadajyothi Puraskar winner and ghata-expert Giridhar Udupa were brought to the auditorium in a procession.Veteran singer M Prabhakar received the Nadajyothi Arogya Sampada financial aid. All of them were presented with a citation, a purse of `5000 and other paraphernalia.
drmsuryaprasad@gmail.com