Two day Musical Feast
On 24th and 25th December
2012, Sri Shankara Adhyayana Kendra organized a two-day music festival
featuring artists Rajkamal Nagaraj and Vani Sateesh, which ensured and gave
music lovers an absolute treat. The event was held at and with the joint
auspices of Rasadhwani Kala Kendra, Rajajinagar - Bangalore.
On 24th flautist Rajkamal
raptured the audience every minute of the concert. He began with a Varnam in
Shree raga, followed by Purandara dasa’s Jaya Janakikanta in Nattai. Thyagaraja’s beautiful composition Geethartamu
Sangeethartamu in raga Suruti was the next item where the artist displayed the
nuances of the raga with intricate laya patterns. The main item of the concert
was Pankaja Lochana in raga Kalyani where his mastery over the flute was highly
evident. The Raga, Neraval and Kalpana Swaras were extremely intelligent and
gave the audience sheer joy, as always when Kalyani is presented. Following
this were very soulful renditions in Kaapi and Sindhubhairavi. Tillana in Dhanashri was a fitting end to the
musical evening.
The accompanying artists
raised the concert standard. Vidushi Nalina Mohan on the violin, a veteran,
effortlessly complemented the flautist
and they made the entire experience enjoyable. Vidwan B.C. Manjunath on the
Mridangam and Vidwan Shashishankar on Ghatam played with good understanding.
25th morning proved to be just a continuation
of the musical treat that the previous evening was. Smt. Gayathri Prakash and
Kum. Divya Balasubrahmanium first presented a set of Purandaradasa Kritis,
before Vidushi Vani Sateesh enthralled the audience.
A powerful rendition of
Maharaja Swathi Tirunal’s composition Deva Deva Kalayamite set the tone for the
rest of the concert. This was followed by a melodious Ee` Vasudha in raga
Sahana. Composition of Vid Bellary Sheshagiriachar - Chandrashekharam Bhaje in
raga Chandrakauns was entrancing with a lilting alapana and intelligent
Swaraprastara. Ratnakanchuka Dharini in raga Kamboji was the main piece of the
concert. The artist explored the myriad hues of beauty of the raga in her Alapana,
Neraval and Kalpana Swara. This was
followed by two beautifully sung devaranamas. With a thillana in Kuntalavarali,
the concert ended in a crescendo, the audience wanting more.
The violist, Vidwan Mathur
Srinidhi, was at his best, following every sangati with a swirl of melodies.
Playing intricate rhythm patterns, percussionists Vidwan H. S. Sudhindra on the
Mridangam and Vidwan Ranganatha Chakravarthy on the Ghatam displayed their in
depth understanding of the art. For instance the manner in which they played
while sahityam was ‘mandagamanollasini’ was highly appealing.
The yearly program by Sri
Shankara Adhyayana Kendra is in its 10th year and this endeavor is with the aim
to spread the joy of this art and reach out to as many rasikas as possible.
