Pantula Rama’s tribute to master vocalist Nookala

Panthula Rama’s masterly rendition was a fitting tribute to Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana

A vocal concert by Pantula Rama was organised at Saptaparni to celebrate Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana’s jayanti. Though she chose very few numbers, the concert lasted for more than an hour. And the selection of compositions was such that they gave scope for expansive presentation with raga and swara. She was in the company of her husband MSN Murthy on violin, V Venkataramana Murthy on mridangam and Nemani Somayajulu on ghatam.

Unfortunately the acoustics at the newly built space at Saptaparni, where the concert was held, was not good enough. This resulted in the lack of clarity in the sahitya expression. But Rama chose the popular numbers and gave her best. She rendered half a dozen numbers of which three compositions were used to present expansive ragaalapana and swarakalpana.

Rama started her concert with Navarasakannada number

Ninu Vina Naamadendu of Tyagaraja with detailed ragalapana and swarakalpana both presented in two kalaas. Violinist Murthy’s responses on his instrument totally merged with her renditions. Besides he took as much time as his wife for ragalapana and swarakalpana to enrich its intricacies. The rendition of kritis was pleasant all through, matching the prevailing atmosphere in celebrating Jayanthi of Nookala. Her ragalapana for both the numbers

Ninuvina and the following Bilahari number

Paridaanamichite of Patnam were fully stretched with ragalapana and swarakalpana.

‘Paridanamicchite’in Bilahari, Khandachaputalam of Patnam was also presented with ragalapana and swarakalpana in the same measure. Violin response too covered mandra to tarasthayi as the vocalist did.

The third composition Rama presented was a rarely heard Sangeeta Sastra Gnanamu ’ in Mukhari. She then went for Tyagaraja’s another composition Muddu Momu in Suryakantham. She presented ragalapana and swarakalpana giving good space for them.

The main number of Rama’s concert was Dikshitar’s

Sri Satyanarayanam in Subhapanthuvarali, in Roopaka talam. The raga essay was brilliant and kriti rendition was enriched by adding neravu followed by fine kalpanaswaras. This is also one of rarely heard numbers. Rama concluded her show with Tulasidas bhajan

Sri Ramachandra Krupalo .