To mark the completion of the fifth year of the Music Academy-HCL partnership in promoting classical music through a series of monthly concerts, Aruna Sairam gave her brand of ‘Expression of the Mind' (the concept of the programme) to the large, expectant audience at the Music Academy.
Prefixing with the slokam ‘Sarva Mangala Mangalye,' Aruna Sairam opened her concert with ‘Amma Anandadayani'- a grandiose varnam by Dr Balamuralikrishna in Gambheera Nattai. ‘Vandanamu' in Sahana of Tyagaraja followed with considerable sobriety.
The forte of Aruna is dramatising the music, with energy taking precedence over aesthetics. So Oothukadu Venkatakavi's ‘Kalyana Rama' in Hamsanadam and the swaras that followed overflowed with zest. Her raga essays of Hindolam and later Mohanam were stamped with her trade mark exposition. Although one wondered why the raga alapana should follow a linear mode?
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Aruna collated her phrases in her own way with high pitched overtures, a colourful touch here and a poignant posture there, a few deliberate pauses in the middle, negotiating a smooth curve and slashing through a feral excursion. It may not be a perfect package for the connoisseur; but Aruna is adored by the audience.
Her choice went in favour of Tyagaraja in Hindolam with ‘Samaja Vara' and a swara trip on ‘Veda Siroma.' Aruna's swara segments were like roller coaster rides. As a harbinger to the auspicious Navaratri, she sang ‘Kamalambamsam' of Dikshitar in Anandabhairavi. The central piece, Mohanam, started with a viruttam of Thirugnanasambandar Pathigam and landed on Papanasam Sivan's famous ‘Kaapali' which offered Aruna ample scope to show her effulgence.
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Gopalakrishna Bharati's ‘Enneramum' in Devagandhari, which had piety, and Oothukadu Venkatakavi's ‘Maragathamanimaya' in Arabhi for lilt were the notable fillers in Aruna's repertoire. The last session turned out to be a listener's choice.
Aruna's ‘Manodharma' matched well with her accompanying artists. M.A. Krishnaswamy on the violin smoothly and smartly followed the route of Aruna in raga essays and swaras. B Ganapathyraman and Madipakkam Murali had a great time producing a plethora of percussion patterns. The team treated the audience to a sizzling tani avarthanam.
The programme was inaugurated by Chief Guest P. Umashankar, secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India. He quoted the significance of music from Thirukkural and Shakespeare and also appreciated the effort of a corporate house such as HCL for their promotional activities. Guest of Honour Leela Samson, Chairperson, Sangeet Natak Akademi referred to the initiatives by the Academy in taking classical music and art forms to children. N. Murali, president of the Music Academy, expressed his gratitude to HCL for their patronage. T.R. Vasudevan of HCL gave the welcome address and J.V. Ramamurthy of HCL proposed a vote of thanks.