Ragas flowed melodiously taking the forms of alapana, tanam, swara and pallavi in an evening of Carnatic and Hindustani Jugalbandi by Vidya Harikrisnan and Ankita Joshi, hosted by Powai Fine Arts at the Nahar International School Auditorium, Chandivili.
Judiciously selected ragas that could be defined in both genres, well-prepared duet segments, coordinated communication between the main and supporting artistes and vocalists who complemented each other, all added up to the musical harmony.
Ankita opened with ‘Ma Sharade’ in Bageshri , a technically sound and devotion-filled invocation to the goddess with pleasant harmonium support by Abhinav Ravande. Vidya carried it forward with ‘Saagara Sayana Vibho’ with Anantharaman Ravi’s caressing violin adding sensitivity to the kriti exploration.
The appealing Charukesiwas chosen for RTP. ‘Lage Na Mora Man’, pallavi on Krishna in Hindustani, was well matched by Muralidhara Madhava in Carnatic music style. It was a literal note to note match with finesse.
The thani by Rajesh Srinivasan (mridangam) had metallic punches. Tabla by Ramkrishna Karambelkar also matched every stroke. The power-packed percussion was well received.
Seamless rendition
‘Jagadodharana’ in Kapi, apt for both genres, was handled seamlessly. Dhanashri tillana of Swati Tirunal suitable for a jugalbandi was further embellished by the young singers with variations in methodology.
Musical calibre
“Ankita and I sang together earlier this year and the artistic chemistry between us encouraged us to sing more jugalbandis and her enthusiasm to learn and present Carnatic based songs is commendable,” says Vidya Harikrishnan.
As for Ankita, she has always been attracted by the musical calibre of Vidya and was inspired to learn more from the Carnatic genre. “Learning widens our horizon. I have heard many artistes sing ‘Jagadodharana’ but Vidya’s has been one of my favourites. The same with Dhanashri tillana. When you love a piece it becomes your own,” adds Ankita.
The concluding bhajan namavalis of Govindam and Gopalam pivoting on ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ was sung strikingly with intelligent improvisations and variations in octaves. This impromptu piece of reverently reciting Vithala transported the listeners to a spiritual plane, and engaged them as they kept the beats with their hands, which climaxed with an applause.
Vidya and Ankita made a perfect pair, with colour coordinated saris and well-coordinated music. “The jugalbandi concert was a winner, considering the cosmopolitan nature of our member base. It again proved that music has no barriers in language or genre,” says B. Swaminathan, President of PFA.
