RTP steals the show

A SCHOLARLY twin raga RTP in Madhyamavati and Dharmavati with the Pallavi words, ``Palinchu Bangaru Kamakshi''; Bhagavati Gunavati Dharmavati'' in Khanda Triputa tala lasting over an hour was the highlight of a three-hour vocal concert by Sangeetha Swaminathan (Krishnamurthy) at Hamsadhwani. As usual there was a tornado of swaras in both ragas after neraval of the pallavi lines and the swara ragamalika continued with ragas, Kalavati, Saramati, Nalinakanti and Revati, all of which were rendered in reverse order also. The whole exercise, was such a long session that there was little time for the usual tukkudas with the result that the artiste had to end the concert without any. Perhaps this was the first time when RTP proved the finale of a concert. But the effort was lauded at every turn.

While Sangeetha excelled with her gamakas and brigas, the fast rising violinist Akkarai Subbulakshmi displayed her talent in hitting the core of the raga instantly with a swift stroke or two. This was most discernible when after a charming alapana in Dhenuka, applause was being raised for Sangeetha, the entire swarupa of the raga was brought to the fore by Subbulakshmi in just one movement of the bow. The young instrumentalist has an intuitive and instinctive gift of capturing the entire gamut of the raga in a trice. This was seen in Purvi Kalyani also where the song Parama Pavana Rama (Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar) was rendered with neraval and swaras at Kanakambaradara.

The concert got off to an auspicious start with the legendary Bhairavi varnam, ``Viriboni'' (Ata) by Pachimiriyam Appayya. This was followed by Nattai kriti, ``Vandisuvu'' (Purandara Dasar) and Koteeswara Aiyar's ``Arulseyyavendum Ayya'' (Rasikapriya) and Tyagaraja's ``Teliyaleru'' (Dhenuka) swara duel sparkled. GNB's ``Unnadiyengati'' (Bahudari) was also a noteworthy effort.

Team work is important for the success of any concert. In this light, the role played by Nellai A. Balaji (mridangam) with his soft and musical beats and a complementary effort by V. Rajaram (ghatam) deserves praise.

Schoolgirl Rajyasree has two commendable traits - good diction and she sings open mouthed. Mysore Maharaja's ``Srimahaganapatim'' (Atana) was the opener followed by ``Paripalim'' (Saveri), ``Adumdaivam'' (Khamboji - Papanasam Sivan). Oothukadu's Simhendramadyamam song calls for special mention. The Tiruppugal was also rendered well. Villivakkam S. Raghuraman (violin) and Thillasthanam R. Suryanarayanan (mridangam) were the accompanists.

- K.S.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Entertainment
Previous : Decoration in proportion
Next     : Annual celebration