A pleasing veena recital of V.V.S Meena Kumari marked the resumption of programmes at Kalabharati that stood ravaged as cyclone Hudhud tore through Visakhapatnam. Meena Kumari had learnt the rudiments of the instrument under Chembolu Venkata Sastry and Manda Venkata Manikyam at Vizianagaram and later honed her skills under the tutelage of veena vidushi Mallapragada Jogulamba.
For the programme hosted by Visakha Music Academy that saw a good draw, she endeavoured well to present the chosen pieces on a melodic note. With an eye for detail, she was at her evocative best all through. Though her raga essays were concise and to the point, it exuded the quintessential charms of the raga taken up and presented a vivid picture. That she is scrupulous in her presentation presented remained evident all along.
Having warmed up with the varnam Jalajaksha of Akumadugula Manambuchavidi Venkata Subbayyar in raga Hamsadhwani, she proceeded to present Pranamamyam of Mysore Vasudevachari in raga Goula. A short and snappy alaapana and swarakalpana added to its appeal. Nenarunchinanu of Thygaraja in raga Malavi was well-received, while Mamava sadajanani of Swathi Thirunal in raga Kaanada set to the cycle of Rupaka talam found a lilting expression. Again a brief raga essay and its improvisation adored it bringing out its typical lure.
RTP with dwiraga pallavi in raga Saveri and Kalyana was the mainstay of the concert that saw her in her element. She did it with gusto presenting its every aspect in a taut frame. Exposition of raga Lalita and its swarakalpana for Hiranmayeem sada of Muttuswamy Deekshitar was another number that evoked warm response.
Rajarajarajithe of Muthiah Bhagawatar in raga Niroshta, Adideva paratpare in Sindhubhairavi and Paluke bangaramayena in Anandabhairavi formed other notables in the concert.
Her husband and veteran percussionist VV Ramanamurthy on mridangam and G Venkatesh on morsing lent competent support.
