The major attraction of Pattabhiram Pundit’s vocal concert organised by Vignana Samithi, last week at its venue Anandanagar Community Hall, was the rare presence of renowned mridangam artiste veteran Umayalpuram Sivaramana Sangeetha Kalanidhi and Padma Vibhushan awardee to support his friend. His presence brought in houseful of audience all awaiting his tani avartanam. The other percussionist in his company was Guruprasanna on kanjira. M.A. Sundaresan was on violin. The audience was so enthralled by Umayalpuram, they sat motionless as long as he played.
As for the vocalist Pattabhiram’s presentation, it was a neat concertthat opened with a padavarnam Intajalamelara in Begada in two speeds. He followed it with Siddhi Vinayakam of Dikshitar in Shanmukhapriya, presenting the raga in brief detail. The kirtana rendition too was impressive with a methodical swaraklapana presentation.
Later Pattabhiram chose a vilambakala kirtana Nannu Vidachi Kadalakura of Thyagaraja in Reetigowla. In contrast Varanarada Narayana in Vijayasree of Thyagaraja that followed was a breezy presentation.
The main number was Kharaharapriya for ‘Ramaa Neeyeda’ of Thyagaraja, where he displayed his learning and sense for beauty with nuances.
The later part of Pattabhiram’s concert had Bhogindra Sayinam in Kuntalavarali of Swati Tirunal and Sarvam Brahmamayam in Madhumati, followed by a javali Marubariki Taalalenura in Khamas of Dharmapuri. Jagadodharana of Purandaradasa in Kapi, a tillana in Farazu of Patnam and Bhagyadalakshmi Baramma in Madhyamavati of Purandaradasa gave fine finish to the show.
