Songs of the saint continue to echo

The 168th Sadguru Thyagaraja Aradhanotsavalu held at Anandanagar Community Hall, Hyderabad, was a feast for connoisseurs of Carnatic music. Performances by musicians of repute and also by those trying to make a name for themselves in the field marked the occasion. Vignana Samithi, the organising committee, distributed prizes to the winners of various vocal and instrumental competitions

Malladi brothers’ novelty

Vijayawada born musicians Malladi Brothers gave a mellifluous rendition of rare Thyagaraja keerthanas on Friday. It is the hour of need to popularise the Trinity satyam and in particular that of Thyagaraja’s lyrics. The lyrics proffer life experiences in strict adoration of god. That was the beauty of Thyagaraja sahityam.

Malladi Brothers opened their vocal recital with a pleasing ragaalapana, selecting the Nagaswaravali raga krithi (a combination of sama and khamas) “Sri Pathey Nee Pada”. “Naa Moralimpa Vemi” (Devagandhari) was the next item, where they showcased anupallavi charanams in all their beauty. This was followed by a straight rendition of Asaveri raga krithi “Samayamu Telisi” touching little swarakalpna.

It was in “Chanithodi Tevay” (Hari Kambhoji), “Ney Pogadakunte Neekemi’ (Subha Pantuvarali) that the brothers shared ragaalapana and swarakalapana. While it was true that they came to the kutchery prepared, it would have been better had they taken note of some of the popular keerthanas.

In “Rama Nee Eda” (Kharahara Priya) they made an in depth ragalapana besides offering an astounding swarkalpana one after the other. In both the anupallavi and pallavi charanams they excelled in lyrical vivification as well as extending neravals majestically. Senior violin vidwan Dwaram Satyanarayana Rao, mridanga vidwan DSR Murthy and PV Ramana Murthy on ghatam gave a seasoned performance.

Enthralling vocals

The last day of the Aradhnaotsavalu also had Chennai-based Swathi Sastri giving a vocal recital. She started with “Nadasudha Rasambianu” (Arabhi) and “Nijamuga Nee Mahimalu” (Sahana) with sizeable ragalapana. In Arabhi, she gave a fast rendition, but in Sahana she proved her mettle in a slow rendition. This shows her singing prowess. She touched other rare keethanas of Thyagaraja like “Enduko Baga Teliyadu” (Mohana) and “Neekay Dayaraka” (Neelambari), much to joy of music lovers. She took Lalgudi Panchrathna keerthana “Devasri Tapasthertha” (Madhyamavathi) as the main piece of the evening and excelled in all the parametres of ragaalapana, swarakalpana and neravals too.

The only point of contention at the concert was the arrangement of the microphone. It would have been good to put it a little away. This aside, the vocalist is greatly talented and will be a sought after musician in the days to come. B Durga Bhavani (violin), Parupalli Phalgun (mridangam) and K Shyamkumar (Kanjeera) lent good instrumental support.

Melodious veena recital

Kilambi R Preetham, a disciple of late Pappu Chandrasekhar, presented an enthralling veena recital. In fact his renditions as veena player resembled the Pappu family’s style. He started with Kadanakuthoohalam with good ragaalapana and in Thodi (Nee Vanti Daivamu) he made interesting touches of swarakalpna to the enjoyment of the audience.

He concluded with Hamsanadam (Bantu Reethi). All in all, his rendition proved to be promising start for the young musician. It is certain that he may prove his mettle in the years to come with practice. Ramakrishna (mridgangam) and Chandrakanth (ghatam) gave instrumental support.

By:Chivukula Rama Mohan