New Delhi-based Andhra Cultural and Welfare Society conducted a two-day Sangeetha Sammelan on an impressive note at Swarna Bharati indoor stadium, Visakhapatnam. The annual fete, on the first day, featured a musical nite of Telugu film songs by noted Telugu film playback singer V Ramakrishna and his team. On the second day a classical music programme delighted the audience. For the classical music programme with MLN Raju on mridangam, MSP Rao on kanjira, Hari Babu on ghatam and D Sarma playing morisng, MSN Sarma rendered chosen krithis on the violin. He began it with ‘Maha Ganapathim’ in raga Nata. ‘Samajavaragamana’ in Hindolam was the main item of the session. The other notables of the session included ‘Tandanana ahi’, ‘Pidikita talalmbralu’, ‘Govinda ani kolavare’ of Annamayya and a Tillana of Swathi Tirunal in raga Dhanasri.
On the first day, playback singer V Ramakrishna and his troupe belted out golden oldies that turned the audience nostalgic. It began with an invocatory song and what followed was a treat in golden oldies. ‘Siva Siva Sankara’, ‘Osey vayyari Rangi’, ‘Sarada nanucheraga’ and many a chartbuster of yesteryears brought back the memories of melody. The haunting tunes of greats like Adinarayana Rao, Satyam, KV Mahadevan, V. Kumar and others came alive much to the delight of audience.
M Saikumar and Somesh on keyboard, Vellanki Kurmanadham on flute, Bandaru Ramana Murthy and Chakrapani on tabla and M Pavanakumar on pads lent good orchestral support. Later, ‘Srinivasa Kalyanam’, the celestial wedding of Lord Srinivasa was performed on a Vedic note in a grand manner.
