S.K. Venkatachari gave a vocal concert for Kalasagaram at Keyes High School, Secunderabad, last week. He was accompanied by R. Dinakar on violin, Nemani Somayajulu on mridangam and K.Shyamkumar on kanjira. His disciple V.V.S. Chandrasekharam provided vocal support.
Venkatachari opened his concert traditionally with Thodi Varnam of Patnam that he presented in two speeds. This was followed by a prayer to Lord of obstacles Vinayaka, Gajananayutham in Chakravakam of Dikshitar. He rendered it with devotional appeal with apt sahitya expression. The swarakalpana was a scholarly presentation. The number that followed later was Kshitijaramanam in Devagandhari of Dikshitar. It was simple kirtana presentation before going for Syama Sastri’s number Meenalochani in Dhanyasi, Misrachapu talam. He first essayed the raga Dhanyasi in great detail dotted with classic touches. The neraval he presented later taking the line Samajagamana Neevu Tamasamucheyaka enhanced the impact of sahitya.
Venkatachari then chose to present Tamil composition Muruga Tirumal Muruga in Harikambhoji, Roopaka talam of Tanjavur Sankaram Iyer. He presented neraval taking the line Karnai Kadleunnai kalamum Teriyen Kanda . He then went for composition of Thyagaraja Ninne Neranamminanura in Panthuvarali and made this as his main number. He evolved the raga into beautiful structure with care and perfection. The kirtana rendition was expressive of its sahitya content. The neraval and swarakalpana were elaborate.
Venakatachari’s disciple Chandarsekharam, a medical doctor by profession, presented Aparadhamula Manpi in Durbar, Khandchapu talam. He first essayed the raga before going for kirtana presentation. Venkatachari then chose to present Palinthuvo Palimpavo in raga Kanthamani of Thyagaraja, before he chose to present Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi in Bhairavi. It was a classic presentation applying all his technicalities in the chosen talam Tisra Triputa-Khandanada with one Akshara Atheetham. Tanam too was vivid with complicated muktayis.The pallavi line was Deva Deva Parameswara Pahimam Deena Dayakara bhavahara . He made space for the presentation of neraval and swarakalpana too in this number. The swarakalapana was presented in ragamalika format comprised of Mohana, Hindola and Hamsanadam. In short it was a display of his Pallavi presentation with technical wizardry. Tani avartanam by percussionists added lustier to the entire show.
The final numbers included Papanasam Sivan’s Enna Thavam Seidanai in Kapi and some slokas. It was closed with a Kshetrayya Padam Indendu Vachitivira in Surati.
