Carnatic vocalist Girija Seshumamba is known for her initiative in taking her art form to jail when she taught Carnatic music to the inmates of Chanchalguda jail. She earned her Ph.D. for her research on ‘Apoorva Ragas of Thyagaraja Composition’ as student of Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam, Tirupati. She is blessed with soulful and pleasant voice with good range. The concert she gave for Vijayanagar Fine Arts at Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi temple was a treat.
Girija opened with Malhari Varnam, Varasidhi Vinayaka , penned by the late Dr. Sripada Pinakapani. The way she presented this number in two speeds set right path to the Hamsadhwni composition of Dikshitar’s Vatapi with utter devotion. She opened the number with raga essay, a polished rendition, and concluded with swarakalpana.
After these mandatory numbers, Girija rendered Sree Chakraraja Nilaye of GNB in rare Sivasakthi ragam. She followed it with Sada Madindalatugadara in rare Gambhhiravani ragam of Thyagaraja. Innu Dayabarade of Purandaradasa in Kalyanavasantham was preceded by profound ragalapana. Kriti rendition was clear enunciation of sahitya and added neraval at the line Enumadidarenu gradually ascending to tara sthayi and then presented Swarakalpana too. This was set in Khandachaputalam. Rama Ramayani Chintincharaada in Vivadi melakartha raga Yagapriya of Bellari M. Seshagiri Achari proved a special number, rarely heard.
Pahimam Sri Raja Rajeswari of Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer in Janaranjani led to the main composition of the concert Mari Vere Dikevvaru Ramayya in Lathangi. She presented Ragalapana and in the kirtana part she presented Neraval at Dharalona Sati Daivamu . The swarakalpana too was quite engaging for the reason that she built it methodically with tempo. The number was set in Khandachapu talam. This was followed by tani avartanam, percussion cycles that Omprakash played impressively.
Girija concluded her show with Bomma Bomma Tataiyya Thaiyya Thaka in Adi talam and Taipusam song in Tamil.
