Tribute to Syama Sastri

CELEBRATING SYAMA Sastri jayanthi, the Nanganallur Sri Tyagaraja Sangeetha Samajam featured a vocal recital of his compositions by Suguna Purushothaman. The vocalist's performance was reflective of her appreciation of the appealing musical quality of the composer's kritis.

Presenting a placid profile of Poorvikalyani, the singer rendered ``Ninnuvinaga'' projecting the finer aspects of the song. The piece, ``O Jagadamba'' in Anandabhairavi, came in a diction expressive of the vocalist's grasp of its moving classical contents.

Suguna Purushothaman's elaboration of Bhairavi was dignified and revealed her capacity to dwell on its deeper layers in a style of thoughtful raga delineation, ``Sari Evaramma'', set to khanda jaathi jhampa tala was vibrant with the raga's fragrance. This phase included a session of nuanced neraval and swara exercises.

Meera Sivaramakrishnan accompanied the recital enjoyably on the violin. Her sketches of Poorvikalyani and Bhairavi were elegant. Thanjavur Kumar extended agreeable support on the mridangam.

Delightful attributes

Perfect notes, precise rhythm, perceptive placement of gamakas and pleasing instrumental embellishments are the essential requirements to make the performance of an instrumentalist markedly delightful to the listeners.

The violin recital of M. S. Anantharaman and his sons, M. A. Sundareswaran and M. A. Krishnaswamy, featured by Rasika Fine Arts at Mahodaya in Ashok Nagar was satisfying with a good deal of these attributes.

The trio's recital of the opening varnam, Vanajakshi (Kalyani) set to Ata tala was tasteful and reflected the composer's skill in projecting the raga. A lively diction of `Swaminatha' of Muthuswamy Dikshitar in Nattai came next with a spell of brisk swara exercises.

Following a short sketch of Arabhi drawn by M. S. Anantharaman, the artistes played ``Salakalla'' of Tyagaraja in an enjoyably accelerated pace. Anantharaman and Krishnaswamy presented a delicate profile of Varali. The piece, Seshachalanayakam, succeeded in an appealing musical form.

Moving freely along with the melodic contours of Brindavanasaranga, Anantharaman enthused the audience with a sweet raga sketch and followed it up with Dikshitar's `Soundararajam.'

Tiruvarur Bhakthavatsalam (mridangam) and V. Suresh (ghatam) offered lively percussion support to the recital. Their thani in the phase of Kambodi included an interesting vinyasa in the khanda gathi.

Mellow flute recital

Featured by the newly started Sree Lakshmi Kalaivani of Alwar Tirunagar, the flute recital of Sikkil Sisters (Neela and Kunjumani) was replete with details illustrative of their experience in handling the facets of Carnatic music felicitously in a mellow style.

Planning the items in an appropriate order, they pleased the audience with their enjoyable rendition of the pieces, ``Evaribodhana'' (varnam in Abhogi), ``Siddhivinayakam'' (Mohanakalyani) and ``Sriman Narayana'' (Bowli).

Following a fascinating portrayal of Madhyamavathi, the duo delivered ``Nadupai'' of Tyagaraja. The artistes' execution of the piece, Marivere of Syama Sastri in Anandabhairavi attested to their appreciation of the bhava and laya of its finesse.

Succeeding a succinct delivery of `Subramanyena' of Muthuswamy Dikshitar in Suddhadhanyasi, came a raga representation in Sankarabharanam with stress on the details of its grandeur.

The duo played Eduta of Tyagaraja.

T. Rukmini supported the recital skilfully on the violin, Madirimangalam Swaminathan (mridangam) and S. V. Ramani (ghatam).

- R. V.

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