A fitting finale to a century

JANUARY 1 was a memorable day for music lovers. The good musician and Pithamaha to the music world gave a special concert that day at the Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, which is 100 years old.

The last performance he gave under the auspices of this sabha was in 1960. The public performance of the great veteran was after six years.

Semmangudi rendered all his favourites - ``Vathapi'' (Hamsadwani), ``Deva Deva'' (Mayamalavagowla), ``Marubalka'' (Sriranjani) and ``Gajanana'' (Todi). The neraval and swarams for ``Gajavadana'' and ``Marubalka'' were splendid.

He has still the vigour to sing for more than two hours. The audience was thrilled to hear his rendition of ragas. At the end of the concert,

there was a standing ovation from the rasikas for more than fifteen minutes.The accompanying artistes were none other than T. N. Krishnan on violin and Umayalpuram Sivaraman on mridangam.

The special concert was a fitting finale to the centenary concerts of this year.

- R.S.

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