A fine tarangam treat

Chennai-based Varalakshmi and Vidya presented tarangams in a fine Carnatic classical format.

Varalakshmi Anandakumar. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Sage Narayana Theertha’s life and works constitute a verdant pasture on the vast expanse of Bhakthi sahithyam and sangeetham. His tarangams, a distinct genre that he mastered to perfection, exude devotional passion in all its intensity and its philosophical and spiritual import make it unique in its own right. Replete with poetic nuances and typical turn of phrase that marks out his charming expression, tarangams, in a way, unfold his vision of Lord Krishna. In its structural composition and expression tarangams eminently suit not just to musical rendition but classical dance as well. In fact they are an integral part of Kuchipudi repertoire.

The tarangams in Andhra are usually presented in Bhajan Sampradayam, however, Chennai-based Varalakshmi Anandakumar and Vidya Kalyanaraman presented them in Carnatic classical concert format that seemed more novel than being appropriate. Being in the concert format the focus seemed more on the technicalities of classical music presentation which they are well-groomed in.

The session opened with Varalakshmi Andakumar’s concert. She chose to say a few words about each composition before picking it up for rendition, which in a way helped her initiate the audience into the mood of the composition. Her raga essays and improvisations that she has done for raga Mukhari and Panthuvarali were impressive. In all she sang six tarangams;

Parama Karunya in raga Sourashtra,

Sri Narayana vahana in Mukhari,

Bhavaye Hridayaravinde in Bilhari,

Kalayatha Gopika in Panthuvarali,

Mamaka in Todi and

Jaya Jaya Gokula Bala in ragamalika formed her fare.

In the second part of the session, Vidya Kalyana Raman rendered chosen tarangams with verve. Her choice for the delineation was raga Kambhoji for

Alokaye Rukmini . She prefaced it with a slokam Dwarakanagare a fluent neraval further accentuated its appeal. That she is at ease with intricacies of the patterns of notes in swara suits was remarkable. On request from audience she sang Saranambhava karuna that evoked warm response.

S. Chandran on violin and Nyveli Ramkumar on mridangam lent competent support

Narayana Theertha Tarangani and Thygaraja Aaradhana Trust jointly hosted the event on the occasion of 341 jayanthi of Narayana Theertha at Kalabhrati Visakhapatnam.