Rich tributes will be paid to legendary Neyyattinkara Vasudevan on his 75th birth anniversary. The programme organised by Manirang The Neyyattinkara Vasudevan Foundation, will be held on August 24 at Swadeshabhimani Town Hall, Neyyattinkara, from 2.30 p.m.
The Foundation, named after the raga Vasudevan loved the most, is all about preserving the legacy of the great artiste that he was.
Renowned musician K. Omanakutty will pay musical homage to the legend. “There has been no classical musician like him. His dedication to music was unparalleled. He used to give concerts with my brother [the late M.G. Radhakrishnan] and I used to eagerly sit through the practice sessions they had at home. Another quality in him was that he would go all out to encourage other musicians,” recalls Dr. Omanakutty.
She plans to perform some of the popular and favourite kritis of Vasudevan.
She adds: “I’ve always loved listening to his rendition of ‘Jaya jaya Padmanabha…’ and ‘Anjaneya….’ Even if he sings a kriti for a month or so, you would never find it monotonous. Such was the diversity in his manodharma.”
Ranjini Varma performs with her at the concert. Accompanying artistes are Idappally Ajith Kumar (violin), Cherthala Jayadevan (mridangam) and Vazhappally Krishnakumar (ghatam).
The programme begins with a sangeetha archana by Vasudevan’s disciples. Theatre veteran Kavalam Narayana Panikkar delivers the inaugural address.
“This year the foundation conducted workshops for over 150 music students and we are also working towards documenting the life and times of Vasudevan sir,” says Sreevalsan J. Menon, a disciple of Vasudevan and an office-bearer of Manirang.
