Surrounded by tall, leafy trees, the simple stage was set right under the canopy of the clear blue sky. Panduranga stood on the pedestal with his divine consort, overlooking the whole scene in front. Aruna Sairam sat in the middle, surrounded by her team of expert accompanists. She was singing for Vasantha Panchami Kala Utsav, organised by The Confederation of Indian Industry, The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, CODISSIA, SIEMA and South India Heritage Conservation Trust.
Before the concert began, a group of Vedic scholars chanted the shanti mantras, charging the atmosphere with spirituality. Vasantha Panchami, being the birthday of Goddess Saraswati, Aruna began with a booming Omkara. After reciting the sloka, ‘Saraswati Mahabhage,' she rendered ‘Mamavathu Sri Saraswati' in Hindolam by Mysore Vasudevachar. ‘Sadaa Saaranga Nayane' by Yoga Narasimham in Ranjani was another majestic number with impressive showers of swara phrases that brought in a spontaneous round of applause.
Description of kritis
Aruna had a story, an anecdote or some information to share before each song. It's apparent that the adoration she gets from the rasikas is not only due to her singing but also due to the friendliness with which she establishes an immediate rapport with the audience. She rendered ‘Theertha Vittala' in her inimitable style, and added an extra detail about the story behind the composition. This was apparently the first abhang she sang in public. The delightful composition by Oothukkadu Venkatakavi, ‘Vishamakkaara Kannan,' described the enjoyable antics of the eternal prankster. The nostalgic song ‘Thaamarai Pootha Thadaagamadi' was rendered after a verse describing the way the Goddess of Tamil has been adorned with the five great epics.
‘Enna Kavi Paadinalum' and ‘Bhaagyaadha Lakshmi' her popular regulars elicited joyous approval as always. Aruna concluded with ‘Bhojanam Seyya Vaarungo,' listing out an incredible variety of eatables, sharpening the appetites of the rasikas.
Vittal Ramamurthy's violin tactfully translated her force and vigour, further coating it with melodic smoothness. Sai Giridhar on the mridangam and S.V. Ramani on the ghatam gave soulful support and presented a brief and thrilling thani. The Hindu was the media partner for the event.
