Celebrating the cosmic dancer

Violin and vocal concerts and discourse concluded the Yaksha fest held in Coimbatore.

February 26, 2015 08:33 pm | Updated 08:42 pm IST

Ganesh and Kumaresh. Photo: S. Siva Saravanan

Ganesh and Kumaresh. Photo: S. Siva Saravanan

It is very encouraging to see musicians of the younger generation making waves in Carnatic music in both vocal and instrumental fields. But when they fall a prey to the impulse of frenzied speed and haste throwing away sublime aspects of music, the rasikas are disappointed. The violin duet of Ganesh and Kumaresh on the following day of the Yaksha Fest 2015 began with a serene play of a ragapravaham in Mayamalavagowla but very soon it had touches of vocal, western violin classical and orchestral music, all rolled into one. The duo demonstrated that they could do anything with their bows and dexterous fingers without creating any discord whatsoever. ‘Sabapathikku’ in Abhogi with swaras created a superfluity of swaras of fast flights with very few shades of Carnatic music underscored by western fusion. Their playing the swaras looked like a stunt action on the trapeze in a gymnasium. A vocal interlude of ‘Pirava Varam Thaarum’ showed the cavernous divide between vocal sensitivity and instrumental brusqueness. The thani by Harikumar (mridangam) and Surendrakumar (ganjira) was an exchange of rhythmic sorties. In sum, the duet was not a serene and blissful Carnatic music concert.

The reposeful presentation of her numbers on the last day of the Yaksha Fest- 2015 in a reflective mood Bombay Jayasri did not reveal her best. Her music is contemplative and divine-centred. The opening ‘Thunga Tharange Gange’ in Hamsadhwani showed her elegant voice blending seamlessly with melodic harmony. ‘Akhilandeswari’ (Dwijavanti) with swaras brought out the subtleties of the rakti bhava of the raga. In the Pantuvarali alapana, she captured the scintillating moments to reveal the radiance of the raga for the kriti, ‘Sambo Mahadeva.’ The raga picture and the niraval following the kriti, were full of classical echoes. The tukkadas towards the end were ecstatic renditions. Dilip’s violin accompaniment displayed exceptional playing of the ragas and the swara sallies. Sairam (mridangam) and Anirudh Atreya (ganjira) provided a brilliant thani. The concerts were followed by a colourful Linghabhairavi aradhana on all days.

The rhapsodic celebration of Mahasivaratri at the foothills of the Velliiangiri hills, Coimbatore, was attended by devotees and from all over the globe. After the customary panchabhuta aradhana by the Sadguru, he rendered a discourse on the significance of Shivratri. Sufi singer-Zila Khan with her pulsating numbers in the company of Sushant Sharma on the guitar transported the adherents on cloud nine with some of them tapping their feet and dancing. A kalari performance and a sacred fire added colour to the ecstatic occasion. The kathak dance and the lilting laya vinyasam by Vikku Vinayakram with his grandson, Swaminathan was the highlight of the event. Almost close to midnight the entire gathering was initiated into chanting Om Namasivaya.

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