‘Hyderabad Thyagaraja Aradhana Music Festival (HTAMF), held at the open air auditorium of Shilparamam last week featured Hyderabad Sisters Lalitha and Haripriya in its inaugural concert. The Sisters were accompanied by Dwaram Satyanarayana Rao on violin and Karra Srinivasa Rao on mridangam. Lalitha and Haripriya carry the same spirit of Manodharma that their guru K.G. Padmanabham imparted. For that matter, their inaugural concert of this Thyagaraja festival was in itself an example of how they sustained their voices and grammar even now.
The Sisters opened with Hamsadhwani varnam Jalajakshi in Adi talam that they presented in two kalas with tisram in between. The rendition was so vigorous that it sounded like warming up exercise. They, then, went for Ninne Bhajana Seyuvadanu in Nata and enriched it with extensive swarakalpana. This was followed by Ramabhakti Samrajyam in Sudha Bangala, a pleasing rendition with perfect expression of sahitya, underlining the devotional element. So was the composition Sitamma Maayamma in Vasantha. The very pallavi asserts that Srirama and his consort Sita are mother and father for the devotees. This number preceded the most delightful composition and also the main number of the concert Nagumomu Ganaleni in Abheri, a challenge for any vocalist to present it in right spirit. It also tests the vocal span of the singer while rendering the charanams Gagananiki Ilaku Bahudurambaninaado and the line Jagamele Paramatma . The rendition by the duo was highlight of the concert as expected and the neraval and swarakalpana were truly the ‘swara raga sudha’. This number received a big ovation. Tani avartanam presented by Karra Srinivas at this stage was an added attraction. Violin support all through the concert by Satyanarayana brought alive the the spirit of Dwaram family.
Lalitha and Haripriya then rendered Syama Sastry’s composition
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The Sisters received standing ovation from the sizable audience.
Veena concert
Ayyagari Shyamasundaram accompanied by his wife Jayalakshmi gave a scintillating veena concert as part of Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival being held by HTAMF.
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He was in the company of Peravali Jayabhasker on mridangam and P.V. Ramanamurthy on ghatam.
In these days when the number of vainikas was dwindling, it is heartening that this Ayyagari family still holds the flying flag intact. Shyama Sundaram is known for on the spot creative skills. His favourite number, rightly so matching this occasion, was Thyagaraja’s most popular Pancharatna kriti Endaro Mahanubhavulu in Sriragam. The play of chittaswaras followed by matching sahitya was in itself exemplary. Veena being nearest to vocal, the kirtana played on this instrument is well received. He then chose to present Nee Daya Raada in Vasantha Bhairavi, Roopaka talam. He decorated the play of the number with impressive swarakalpana, extensively. his wife joining him occasionally.
He then played Melukovayya Mammelukovayya in Bowli, a rare number in Khandachaputalam, followed by play off raga Chakravakam in great detail for the composition Sugunamule Cheppukonti in Roopaka talam that he played well. The swarakalpana carried the melodic line of the raga.
The main item of the concert was Samajavaragamana in Hindolam. He presented it in great detail taking good time and added tanam too for its extension for the very reason that veena is the best instrument to present tanam that contains melody. The composition being a famous number it was enjoyed by the audience as much as they do listening to the vocalist. The swarakalpana too was extensive and carried the melodic temper. The highly talented percussionists Jayabhasker and Ramanamurthy made the audiene sit up and enjoy their tani avartanam. It was real ‘Laya Vinysam’ in true sense. Their support to veena artistes all through the concert was methodical in elevating the appeal of the concert.
The vainika duo concluded their show with Divyanama Sankeerthana of Thyagaraja in Madhyamavati. The couple received the much deserved standing ovation from the audience.