An authentic picture

Sriranjani's Kiravani exhibited her maturity and Lakshmi Priyadarshini's Mohanam was a good attempt.

Salem Sisters, Sriranjani and Lakshmi Priyadarshini. Photo: M. Periasamy

Salem Sisters, G. Sriranjani and G. Lakshmi Priyadarshini, presented a vocal duet under the auspices of Rajalakshmi Fine Arts, Coimbatore.

Having had the foundation laid under the tutelage of Salem Leela, the Sisters are undergoing training under Lalgudi G. Jayaraman. Sriranjani, the elder of the two, has imbibed the restraint and silky smoothness of the Lalgudi bani. Priyadarshini is obviously working towards it.

Enjoyable Kiravani

Sriranjani depicted an authentic picture of Kiravani for ‘Kaligiyunde' by Saint Tyagaraja, with gamaka-filled swaras, and exhibited depth and maturity.

Priyadarshini made a good attempt at presenting Mohanam (‘Mohana Rama,' Tyagaraja), but fell short of the expected standards. However, when the sisters sang together, their voices blended melodiously.

Sriranjani and Priyadarshini began with a rarely heard varnam in Kalyani, ‘Unnaiyandri Veraar Ulaginil' by Lalgudi G. Jayaraman and followed it up with ‘Idhe Bhaagyamu Gaakaa' in Kannada. ‘Paratpara' in Vachaspathi and ‘Lavanya Rama' in Poornashadjam were presented beautifully.

‘Durgadevi, Dhuritha Nivaarani,' in Navarasa Kannada by Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavatar was enjoyable with interesting chittaswaras. The lighter session was made lively with ‘Enna Thavam Seithanai,' a thillana by Lalgudi and the Thiruppugazh, ‘Eruvaay, Karuvay.'

Vijay Ganesh's fingers could not bring out melody from his violin though he supported the artists well. Arjun Ganesh lifted the concert with his sensitive mridangam and elaborate thani.