Rendering difficult ragas with ease

Sarangapani’s rendition of Thodi raga delighted the audience at a recital at the Telugu University

Kutcheries by teachers are often methodical and calculative in all parameters. The same was showcased in the vocal recital by Radha Sarangapani, head of the department of music at the Telugu University on Monday as part of the monthly concert and Republic Day Festive Programme. The concert was organised by Sangeetha Ksheera Sagara, a music organisation striving to bring young talent into limelight.

Radha was initially trained by VLN Sastry, a noted musician from Visakhapatnam. She was later groomed by late MS Balasubrahmanya Sarma and also by Haripriya. The artiste started her recital with Sahana Varnam’s “Karunimpa”, giving a good start with swarakalpana in two tempos. She then moved on to Arabhi Raga Krithi of Deekhitar “Ganarajena Samrakshitoham’ with a vivid swarakalpna at phrase “Dinakarakoti Prakasena”.

It was in “Venuganaloluni Gana” (Kedaragoula) of Thyagaraja.Radha showered the lyrical beauty of Thyagaraja into fore. She then attempted Mysore Vasdudevachari Krtihi “Rara Rajeevalochana” (Mohana) where she displayed her ragalapana trait in ample measure as also with a befitting chitta swaram.

She picked up another best of Vasudevachari “Bhajana Seya Raadaa” (Darmavathi) with a justifying ragalapana filled with the embellishment of neraval at phrase “Niravadhi sukhada”. Her vivid rendering with clear dictum enhanced the beauty of the lyric. She moved on to another meaningful krithi of Thyagaraja “Manavialakinparadatey” (Nalinukanthi) putting Thyagaraja’s thoughts with her deep routed Bhavambudhi.

This was a pleasant rendering as the audience enjoyed the lyrical taste. She took the main item a Sankritised work of Swathi Thirunal “Sarasijanabha Murarey” (Thodi). The krithi in all its text magnified the deeds of Krishna both in the aspect of giving shelter to the needy and punishing the wicked. In the same manner Radha excelled in her seasoned ragalapana showcasing and depicting her experience as a teacher and a seasoned musician.

In her renditions, swarakalpna was also mellifluous with an inbuilt manodharma trait. In the phrase “Dhara Chakra Gadambuja Dhara” her portraying of the neravals proved to be exemplary. It is always said that thodi/bhiravai are some difficult ragas to render in detail. But Radha excelled in the execution of the raga in all parameters.

She concluded the concert with Sadasiva Brahmendra Swamy’s rachana popularised by Dr Balamurali through AIR. Radha rendered krithis “Pibare Rama Rasam” (Ahiri Bhairavi) and “Ramakrishna Govinda” (Yaman) of Bhaktha Ramadasu with devotion spell alluring the audience all through. Smt Radhika Srinivasan on violin and Karra Srinivas on mridgangam gave good instrumental support.

Noted veena vidwan and Sangeetha Nataka Academy awardee Ayyagari Syamasundaram honoured the musicians on behalf of the organisation and praised Radha Sarangapani for her melodious recital.

By:Chivukula Rama Mohan