Music for all seasons

`TAMASORMA JYOTIRGAMAYA' - From darkness lead me to light. In an evening for a cause to dispel darkness, danseuse Anita Ratnam's invocation from the Upanishad was only too apt.

Under the banner of the National Association for the Blind, Comaganin Raaga Priya made a rainbow presentation with a galaxy of singers pitching in - Unnikrishnan, Harini, Devan and Nityashree Mahadevan among others.

The background orchestra was by the visually impaired, who have carved a name for themselves in the city for their outstanding performance in a short span of time.

Comperes Uma Padmanabhan and Swarnyamalya pepped-up the audience, demanding claps of inspiration for those on stage who could not see them. Their instructions were complied with, each time.

The cheerful tone for the evening programme `Help to colour my world', was set by Nityashree Mahadevan's effervescent `Kannodu Kanbadellam' from Kandukonden Kandkonden.

He was introduced as an enthusiastic youngster from the United States. With a smile beaming across his face and feet that has already begun tapping, he sings, `Smileyayi....' with gusto when the auditorium went into a riot of colours from revolving arc- lights. His `Macmacmacarina' had the little ones off stage going into a rapturous dance.

Then there was the young girl who gave her first superhit performance at the age of 13. Yes.

Husky-tone Harini rendered `Manamvirumbude' and `Elelangadi Elelangadi'. She also sang `Megam Karukkuthu' and `Tum Pas Aaye' with Anand.

Comaganin Raagapriya also delivered some numbers including Santhana Thendral, Ilavayathu Poonkatre and Vaseekara with a background dance by the Rack group.

The star parade was complete with Radhika and Saratkumar who went on stage with the adage that music knows no boundaries; and respects neither language nor religion.

As expected, there were quite a few cat calls - the audience kept shouting `Let's play Koteeswaran' and `Chitthi....'

As a leitmotif comic relief for the whole evening show was the little cute girl in a frock.

Her job was to get the boquet given to the singers for stashing it away safely.

Each time, a singer got the boquet they either wondered where to keep it or were puzzled why the little one was taking away what was just given to them. The audience needless to say, enjoyed this comedy of errors.

By Akila Dinakar

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Entertainment