Vandana presents a mesmerising recital

In such times when veena vidwans are dwindling in number, we have to take note of musicians such as Tumarada Sangameswara Sastry, Veene Ramana Dass, and those from families of Duddu, Vasa and Ayyagari, who have done a commendable job in the bygone years.

One name in the niche is J Yoga Vandana, a top grade veena vidwan of AIR and Doordarshan, faced several odds and has gone on to give several creditable performances in the last two decades, besides teaching a good number of students in Bengaluru where she resides.

Vandana presented a pleasing veena recital on Sunday at Keyes Girls High School as part of a monthly concert, Kalasagaram. She is the granddaughter of Veturi Prabhakara Sastry who was responsible for the name and fame of Annamacharya in this century. He was responsible for notating Annamacharya krtihis and bringing them into the limelight. Her father Ananda Murthy is also following in the footsteps of his father, besides being a versatile personality in Telugu literature.

With parental encouragement, Vandana took initial training from Khaja Subhashini Sastry and later underwent rigorous training from late VS Anantha Rao of Vasa tradition. Perhaps this was the reason for her recital being so soothing and pleasing. She presented concerts all through the four southern states besides she participated in Sthree Taal Tarang, an all women ensemble and toured various foreign countries. Vandana started her concert with Valaji varnam of Lalgudi G Jayaraman.

Then she moved on to Nata Raga Krithi of Deekshitar “Mahaganapathim Manasa Smarami” with a sizeable ragalapana. It was in Thyagaraja Panchartna Krtihi “Sadhincheney Oh! Manasa” (Arabhi) that she presented an astute swarakalpana. She executed the phrase “Samayaniki Tagu Mataladu” in all its instrumental beauty. In two numbers “Sankari Sankaru” (Saveri) of Syama Sastri and “Telisi Rama Chintanatho” (Porrnachandrika) of Thyagaraja, Vanadana showcased the lyrical beauty.

It was in “Pakkala Nilabadi” (Kharahara Priya) of Thyagaraja that she demonstrated her virtuosity in ragalapana and swarakalpana. Then in performing the fast moving text “Raghuvamsa Sudham Budhi” (Kadanakutoohalam), she received great applause. The main item of the evening “Parama Pavana Rama” (Poorvi Kalyani) of Poochi Srinivasa Ayyar, Vandana made excelled in her performance, exhibiting manodharma trait.

The veena vidwan concluded her recital with “Muddugarey Yasoda” (Kuranji) Annamacharya and “Kurai Yondrumillai” (Ragamalika - Sivaranjani, Kapi, Sindhubhairavi) of Rajaji in a most appealing way. Senior mridanga vidwan from the city Peravali Jaya Bhaskar and B Janadhan on ghatam gave ample support. ATK Janak honoured the musicians on behalf of the organisation.

By:Chivukula Rama Mohan