Ode to legends

Disciple of Late Mandolin Srinivas, Aravind Bhargav, dealt with his guru’s rejoiced ragas. The following concert of Jayaprada Ramamurthy, was dedicated to the legendry flutist N Ramani

The Carnatic classical instrumental music played by Aravind Bhargav on the mandolin and Jayaprada Ramamurthy on the flute at Kalasagaram Annual Music Festival 2015, confirmed their commitment and thirst to be the chosen disciples of Mandolin Srinivas and N Ramani.

In the ongoing 48th Annual Cultural Music Festival “Kalasagaram”, which is being held at Keyes High School, Carnatic musicians Vishnubhatla Sisters, Aravind Bhargav and Jayaprada Ramamuthy showcased on Wednesday their proven abilities as the hopes of Telugu pride.

Accompanying instrumental musicians too are then required to rise to the expectations both to elevate the concert as also to hone their skills with zeal, lest it engulfs the prosperity of the main artiste apart from affecting their career too. This point should also to be noted by organisations in order to provide talented artistes for instrumental accompaniment in order to strengthen the efforts of the main artistes.

Aravind Bhargav is the disciple of trendsetter Late Mandolin Srinivas, who is in the process of gaining importance in music circles. In his 3-hour concert, Bhargav dealt with his guru’s rejoiced ragas, much to the benefit of the audience and in his memory. Starting with Nalinikaanthi Varnam and a krithi of Mysore Maharaja in the raag Vakulabharanam, he took a difficult Todi rag krithi “Chesinadella” of Thyagaraja with sizeable ragalapana and a lovely touch on the mandolin.

In an order, Bhargav attempted “Paridaana Michhitey” (Bilahari) and a rare Chalanata raga krithi of Koteswara Aiyer with his amazing touch on the strings. He took the main item in the pleasing ragas Hamsadhwani and Bindumaalini with pallavi “Sangitha Sahitya Sammelanam Srinivasa Keerthanam” as a dedication to his guru Mandolin Srinivas.

Jayaprada Ramamurthy is a known figure in the Carnatic music circle owing to her versatility in playing flute both in Carnatic and Hindustani flavour, chiseling Muralinadam (Venunadam). With a doctorate and A-grade artiste of AIR and Dooradaarshan, Jayaprada is a genius in composing music from her initial days itself. She set music for many dance ballets and for private albums and is a sought-after flute musician of international fame. She is the first flute musician from our two states, who toured foreign countries. Jayaprada started her flute recital with “Natakurajni” varnam.

She moved onto everybody’s favourite krithi “Vathapi Ganpathim” (Hamsadhwani), “Kaamakshi Kaamakoti Peetha Nivaasini” (Simhedramadhyamam), both of Muthuswamy Dikshitar, with seasoned ragalapana and a blend of swara flavour before moving onto “Patnam’s” Tamil krithi in Khamas. In an order, she proceeded with “Saamajavara Gamanaa” (Hindola), “Kanti Sukravaramu” (Anandabhairvai) and the main piece of the evening was “Kamalamba Bhajarey” (Kalyani), Navaavaranakrithi.

She presented a dedicated piece to Swami Ganapathi Satchidanada, penned by greats Dr L Subramaniam, Hariprasad Chourasia and N Ramani in Ahiri Ragam with pallavi “Gouri Tayi Sankara Sayi” delineating every lyrical note in all its vividness coupled with melody.

As end pieces, she dealt with “Ennatha Vamsai” (Kaapi), “Ekkadi Maanusha Janmamu” (Bhouli), a Sai Bhajan and with a concluding Dhanasri Thillana (work of her guru Ramani). In all its fairness, it is observed that Jayaprada’s accompanying instrumental musicians though they did well, there is still much for them to learn.

An important point should be brought to the notice of the music fraternity that if music festivals are being organised to promote Indian cultural heritage, then it is the duty of all of us to attend in large numbers. It is also required to be present from the beginning to the end so as to encourage participating musicians and rejoice the krithis which they rendered. Let us do so… and be the torchbearers for promoting music.

By:Chivukula Rama Mohan