Shashank mesmerized the audience with his stunning performance. His impressive technique and expressive style confirmed his unbridled virtuosity.
For RTP, he left it to the audience to choose between Lathangi and Pantuvarali. The unanimous choice was Lathangi. This gifted flautist instantly created imaginative phrases in his alapana. It was indeed a breath of fresh air. His confidence and effortless grace produced deep, natural music. In between, he took the long flute for an aesthetic experience. Throughout, his poise and power were pronounced. On the violin, B.U. Ganesh Prasad responded with a variety of charming phrases. The tanam gave Shashank ample opportunity to traverse in supersonic speed. The pallavi was ‘Devi Brova Samayamithe.’ He concluded the swaraprasthara with a garland of ragamalika which included Sahana, Sriranjani, Suruti, Mohanam, Brindavana Saranga and Varali. Shashank’s technique created several amazing patterns.
While accompanying as well as in the thani, M.L.N. Raju (mridangam) demonstrated what a gifted, spirited and seasoned vidwan he is. Technically agile and imaginative, he enriched the varied korvais of the main artist in Khanda nadai.
Shashank commenced his splendid concert with Tyagaraja’s Kannada composition ‘Ninnada Nela.’ In the swaraprasthara, his transition to double speed was smooth and seamless. His Kanada alapana took off with gentle and leisurely phrases and then shifted gears to high-speed ones. Ganesh Prasad in his elucidation maintained an equally sweet mood throughout.
Shashank’s rendition of ‘Mamava Sada Janani’ of Swati Tirunal, saw melody dominate even in the fast tempo. He concluded his concert with a Khamas javali, Swati Tirunal’s Sindhu Bhairavi bhajan, ‘Vishveswar darshan kar’ and a Purnachandrika thillana. Shashank held the audience spellbound for over 75 minutes. Unquestionably, his music is a result of considerable reserve of intellect and emotion.
(ramakrishnan.h@gmail.com)
