Event At Sadguru Sangeeta Sabha’s anniversary celebrations, both young and seasoned performers impressed. P. Surya Rao
At Sadguru Sangeeta Sabha’s 19th Anniversary series held at G.V.R. Government Music College, teenaged singer Sarat Santosh from Hyderabad delivered the first concert on the third day. He sports a good voice and neat diction. He sang Todi varnam following it with Sri Mahaganapathim in Athana, Pamarajana in Simhendra Madhyamam before taking up Kharaharapriya for the main item. The raga and swaras were neatly rendered. Sarat Santosh was well supported by Charumathi Pallavi on violin and K.Anil Kumar on mridangam.
The fourth day’s first concert was rendered by young Rohit who sang Saveri varnam, and followed it with Saravanabhava . His main item was Upacharamu in Bhairavi rendered well with good ragam and swaras.
This was followed by an excellent vocal concert by Nisha Rajagopal of Chennai. Her voice was melodious, fluent and natural. Of late, Nisha has been inching towards prime time slots in major Sabhas. Her concert began with Saveri varnam followed by Ennaganu in Pantuvarali.
The kirtana was preceded by bhava-laden alapana and crisp kalpana swaras marked the end of the kirtana. Her delineation of Bhairavi and essay of raga bhava was superb. Other attractive items in Nisha’s concert were Kanakasaila Viharini in Punnagavarali and Mariyada in Bhairavam. Accompanying violinist V. Krishnaveni showed her mettle in following and solo versions. K.Sai Giridhar and S. Hanumanta Rao presented a fine treat on mridangam and ghatam respectively.
The final day of the festival started with a brief but pleasing vocal concert by talented young singer and violinist P.Charumathi Pallavi. Her concert began with Todi varnam followed by Sri Mahaganapathim (Athana) and Vidajaladura in Janaranjani in quick succession. Pallavi amply proved her manodharmam talent in the main item Ennaganu in Pantuvarali. She received good support from K.Subramanya Raju (violin) and Anil Kumar (mridangam).
The fitting finale was a grand scholarly concert by reputed vidwan Sangitha Kalanidhi Padmabhushan awardee, T.N.Seshagopalan. He was superbly supported on the violin by Shurtali R.Sivakumar on the violin and M.L.N.Raju on the mridangam. As expected, Seshagopalan excelled and his immense musical depth surfaced in every item he presented. Starting with Siddhi Vinayakam he went on to sing Saravanabhava in Pasupatipriya and the main item Ninnuvina in Todi. His kalpanaswaras were highly intricate swara prastaras. Other highlights in Seshagopalan’s concerts were Telisirama Chintanato in Poornachandrika and a rare kirtana in Asaveri. Raju and Haribabu were brilliant in the tani.
