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Amazing musical skill with water
THE PERFORMER sits in front of a dozen porcelain cups with varying colours containing water at different levels. Like a magician's wand, he delivers music by bestowing brisk touches on them with two sticks. Anayampatti S. Ganesan must be one among the few to play the jalatharangam, instrument unique to South India.
The performance under review happened during the 10-day long Ramanavami Music Series of senior artistes of Carnatic music organised by the Bharat Kalachar. Ganesan's speed and strokes are amazing. The famous ``Entharo Mahanubhavulu" in ragam Sri was followed by ``Tolijanmamunseya" in Bilahari. both by Thyagaraja. His very brief essay of Karaharapriya with ``Pakkalanilapadi" with kalpanaswaras at ``Manusunathala" came next. Jalatharangam operates at a unique level; the swaras sound sharp and metallic. Perhaps this is the instrument's speciality as well as handicap. Continuity eludes the player however valiantly he tries. Also ``gamakam," a vital aspect of classical Carnatic music cannot be expressed in full measure.
The main piece was ``Ennakavi padinalum" a rare composition in Geethamani, again a rare raga. Ganesan diligently replenished the cups bring out the swaras of his choice. M. A. Sundaresan on the violin, Madirimangalam Swaminathan on the mridangam and Srirangam Kannan on the morsing ably supported the programme. Morsing, again does not have many practitioners these days. The whole exercise sounded like an orchestral choir. These exclusive forms of instrumental music may be treasured for their absolute unconventional basis.
Rajam Iyer felicitated
B. Rajam Iyer, the octogenarian of high credentials, performed next. For his age, his agility in delivery is commendable. The concert opened with the Arabi varnam,``Saraseeja" and followed by the Sriragam Pancharatnam.
A musically trained person cannot but wonder at the flashes of unusual and fine touches Rajam Iyer provides whether it is Pantuvarali (``Apparama bhakti"), Ritigowla (``Satguru Swamiki" by Thyagaraja) or Ravichandrika (``Maakelara vicharamu") in his presentation. Though the volume of his voice has not diminished, the sruthi and swaras played truant here and there. The Subapantuvarali composition of Dr. Srivatsa, ``Mahadeva mahaneeya" was almost executed by the able disciple of Rajam Iyer who gave vocal support.
The Kambodi alapana and the presentation of ``Evarimata" were quick affairs to make room for the felicitations to follow. V. L. Kumar on the violin performed pleased the audience with his perfect understanding of the finer aspects he absorbed from the vocalist and his own ingenuity in Pantuvarali, Ritigowla and Kambodi. K. R. Ganesh's percussion was bright and youthful.
For a change, the speeches of felicitations to the doyen who has turned 80 were placed after the concert. Mrs. Y. G. Parthasarathy, S. V. Krishnan, Dr. Srivatsa and Justice Bakthavatsalam uniformly acknowledged the spiritual and professional discipline of Rajam Iyer.
G. SWAMINATHAN
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