Nada Prabha invited Rajam and her team, comprising her daughter and two grand daughters. They presented Hindustani violin recital at Ravindra Bharati, last week. N. Rajam and her daughter Sangeetha Shankar and grand daughters Ragini and Nandini Shankar are all based in Mumbai.
It is well known that Rajam was originally a Carnatic violinist, but mastered Hindustani later. She created a new technique called ‘Gayaki Ang’ which highlights the vcalist style. She became well known the world over through this style.
The repertoire of the artistes included traditional numbers. Rajam started with short alaap in raga Yaman and her daughter and grand- daughters made it sound like a unified effort on their respective instruments. It was vilambit that moved from ektal madhyalaya to drut part in Teen taal. It was a fine musical move that gained significance as it advanced to the final act of drut and Ati drut. This was followed by a Bandish Piyaki Nazaria Jadoo Bhari Moh Lia . This was with a bit of romantic touch and moved in Madhyalaya Teen taal and brought the number to climax. This lasted for an hour. Rajam started and her daughter Sangeetha took up the line. All four violinists vied with each other in display of musical excellence and the granddaughters added to their own flourish. It was similar to master artiste drawing broad brush strokes on a musical canvas with the others contributing by filling in the details.
This was followed by a bhajan Payoji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo . It was a lilting melody done with soulful devotion infused by perfect synchronisation by all the artistes. The lead violin was a striking display of virtuoso skills. The third piece was of Benarsi gharana, a Dadra with delicate play. A last piece in raag Bhairaviconcluded the show. Immaculate in its delineation, the violins soared in crescendos to the standing applause of audience. The tabla support by Pt. Ajit Pathak was immense.
