A tasteful vocal recital

Malladi Yamuna Raman rendered a blissful vocal concert replicating the style of Late Voleti Venakteswarlu. The concert was organised as part of Nada Bharathi’s monthly concert at Swathi Hall on Sunday. Malladi started his recital with “Kanakangi” in thodi raga ata tala varnam, a work of Pachimiriyam Adi Appaiah. Later, he took invocation item “Sri Mahaganapathim Bhajeham” (Athana) with Swara Madhuryam.

He then moved on to “Idi Samayamuraa Inkula Thilaka” (Chaya Nata) attempting a rare krithi of Thyagaraja and elevated raga bhavam sumptuously. Taking famous krithis of Thyagaraja, the artiste performed “Marugelarra Oh! Raghava” with apt swara prastharam. He picked up Pallavi Gopalaiah’s famous krithi “Needu Charana Pankajamuley Gathiyani” (Kambhoji) and showcased a befitting ragalapana.

As part of Syma Sastri krithis, Raman performed “Pahi Sri Giriraja Sutey” (Anandabhairavi) with good ragaalapana.The main item “Mahita Pravruddha” (khambhoji- tisra jati triputatalam) of Thyagaraja was neatly presented by Malladi Raman. The neravals, swaras and the sarvalaghu prastharam showed Raman’s grip on the performance.

Rajan on violin followed the artiste like a shadow. His raga expansion in kalyani and khambhoji contributed to the success of the concert. Dr Srinivas Gopalan on mridangam gave a good instrumental support. Yamuna concluded his recital with Ramadasu krithi “Sree Ramula Diya Namamu” (saveri) and “Nagavulu Nijamani Nammeda” (Annamacharya), which proved to be a grand finishing touch. Musicians Komanduri Seshadri, Vaidyanathan and Pandurnga Sarma who attended the concert praised Yamuna Raman for keeping up the traditional texture of classical music.

By:Chivukula Rama Mohan