It isn’t often that while we are listening to a concert, wafting devotional fervour envelopes around and dips us into the pond of ‘Bhakthi Bhava’. It was precisely what R. Vijaya Lakshmi and R. Chitra’s – popularly known as Mambalam sisters, did at Krishna Leela Taranga gaanam at Kalabharati Visakhapatnam. Thanks to Ongole-based Narayana Theerdha Tarangani, a forum, founded by Gundlapalli Adinarayana, Narayana Theertha’s 337th Jayanthi was celebrated on an impressive note. Exploring its musical facet, Mambalam sisters, dished out a captivating concert that captured the quintessential devotional spirit in every frame. The duo lent an entrancing expression to an array of Tarangams that abounded in varied shades of devotion extolling the grace and grandeur of Lord Krishna in its myriad dimensions. Each piece was dealt in such a way, that its rendition amply brought out its philosophical and spiritual import. It testified their in-depth grasp of the lyrical nuances and their musical acumen that lent an appealing expression. With a perfect sync in tone and timbre, the duo excelled collectively and individually. With a remarkable blend of erudition, virtuosity and ingenuity besides right raga treatment, it was an aural treat for music buffs. In a string of ragas such as Nata, Mohana, Dhanyasi, Saveri, Saranga, Nilambari, Anandabhairavi and Hamsanandi, the duo remarkably ladled out varied charms of Tarangams much to the delight of connoisseurs. The session commenced with Jaya Jaya Swami in Nata . Yehi Mudam opened the vistas of raga Mohana, where lyrical charms sauntered at leisurely pace unfolding the mind of a seeker in devotional trance. Raga Saveri for Bala Gopala Krishna Paahi , the mainstay of the session, unveiled the ripeness of their manodharma. Laced with alluring aalapana and fluent neraval at the line Neelamegha Sareera glowed in its musical iridescence. The other notables of the evening included Brindavana Madhura in raga Mukhari, Madhava mamavadeva in Neelambari, NanadanandanaGopala in Anandabhairavi, Yahi vraja yuvathi in Hamsanandi and Pahipahimam Paramakripalo, tuned by Nedunuri in raga Jonpuri. The duo capped the session with raga Sindhubhairavi for Kalayana Gopalam tuned by legendary MLV.
Violinist R. Hemalata’s bow revelled in its share for raga Savari, while Nellai A. Balaji on mridangam and K. S. Rangachari on kanjira were at their best. Earlier, V. V. Krishnarao from Kakinada delivered a talk on life and works of sage Narayana Theertha.
