It was a feast for the audience listening to Tadepally Lokanadha Sarma’s enthralling performance that took place under the auspices of Sri Rama Gana Sabha, Tiruchi.
During his performance Sarma mentioned “Music is not for entertainment, but for self elevation.” This concept was proven by him in his concert leaving the audience in ecstasy. Dr. Sarma commenced the concert with a brief alapana in Nattai ragam followed by ‘Vighna Nivarana Vinayaka,’ composed by his father, Tadepally Venkatasubrahmanya Sastri in Adi talam. He then rendered a pada varnam in Kharaharapriya which depicted ‘The Ramayana’ from the birth to the pattabhishekam of Sri Rama. He then delivered the Arabhi pancharatnam ‘Sadhinchane’ with great understanding adding a lot of meaning to the composition.
Detailed alapana
A clear picture of sampradaya kutcheri was seen throughout his concert, especially during the detailed alapana in Mayamalavagowla followed by Ponnaiah Pillai’s ‘Mayatheetha Swaroopini’ set to tala Rupakam. His mellifluous voice and the ease with which he rendered the raga in the three octaves showed the expertise of the singer. To top it all he delivered the anumandara nishadha towards the end of his alapana. The elaborate niraval of ‘Mayamalavagowla Desamuna’ was enjoyable. The swarakalpana was, to a great extent, in sarva laghu, which is rare nowadays. The various permutations and combinations that he used while rendering his kalpanaswaras were useful for aspiring musicians. Sarma rendered ‘Krishna Nee Begane Baaro’ in Yamunakalyani and the singer rasikas could virtually visualise Lord Krishna dancing when he elaborated ‘Neela Varnane Naatya Aadutha Baaro.’ Finally, he rendered Annamacharya’s ‘Naanaati Brathuku’ in Subhapantuvarali set to Adi talam, which was tuned by him, different from the original set in ragam Revathy.
Govindarajan (violin) and Salem Srinivasan (mridangam) were the accompanists.
