Veenai B. Sivakumar, graded artist of All India Radio, presented an enchanting concert, held under the auspices of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan – Tiruchi Kendra, as part of its Navaratri celebrations, at the Auditor Santhanam auditorium recently.
Sivakumar, with his student B. Priyadarshini (vocal support), commenced his concert with a Sri Raga varnam in Adi talam and followed it up with Puliyur Doraisamy Iyer’s ‘Sarasiruhasanapriye’ in Nattai (in praise of Goddess Saraswathi) with crisp swaras. Dikshitar’s ‘Akhilandeswari’ in Dwijavanti, which came next, was well executed with its natural tempo bringing out the colour of this beautiful raga.
Complete felicity
This was followed by Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavatar’s ‘Vaanchatonuna’ in Karnaranjani, played with excellent ease with crisp chittaiswaras, which set the tempo for the next item. He continued with Hiranmayeem ‘Lakshmeem Sadha’ in raga Lalitha set to rupaka talam.
Ably supported by his student, his raga elaboration and swaras flowed with ease.
‘Raghuvamsa Sudha’ of Patnam Subramanya Iyer in Kadhanakuduhalam was spellbinding.
The main piece was ‘Kamalambam Bhajare’ in raga Kalyani (Navavaranam compostion) of Muthuswamy Dikshitar was aptly selected. The essence of Kalyani was presented with ragamalika taanam (Varamu, Varalhi, Aarabhi and Abhogi), played by the students.
The mridangam avartanam played by Mannargudi A. Easwaran and Valangaiman Thyagarajan and Coimbatore V. Mohanram (ghtam) enhanced the performance.
‘Chinnanchiru Kiliye’ of Bharatiar, ‘Karunai Deivame’ and ‘Madhuwanthi Thillana’ of Lalgudi Jayaraman gave a befitting finale to the concert.
T.V. Murali, secretary of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan welcomed the gathering and honoured Sivakumar and senior artists. He also thanked the sponsors of this event – Lakshmi Vilas Bank and Hotel High Point.
