N.C. Sridevi was at her prolific best at the Sri Kala Subba Rao Kala Vedika, Tyagaraya Gana Sabha as she put across compositions of a rich variety in a voice that reflected every bit of vast experience. Sticking to basics, improvising when needed with the alapanas and offering a glimpse of her range in her manodharma aspects, she ensured the audience that graced the venue had an enriching musical evening.
In a concert that featured significant contributions from the pathbreaking vaggeyakara Nallan Chakravarthy Murthy’s compositions, the first being the Kalyani raga varnam in Adi talam, Sridevi had the most pleasant of starts. Sustaining the richness in her voice as she moved onto Bhajantu Ninu Ganadhipa (also composed and written by N.C. Murthy) in the Malavi ragam and Rupaka talam, she was particularly appealing with her presentation.
Sri Lakshmi Varaham , a Dikshithar composition that describes the innate facets of Lord Lakshmi Varaha, from his knowledge to his aesthetic features, who is in the company of Goddess Lakshmi, followed with her neraval being the high point of it all. The alapana prior to her rendition of Bhavanutha ably supported by Bhatti Pavan Singh on the violin was a fitting example of the musical heights she could attain.
After the Tyagaraja composition, Ganamurthe , Annamacharya’s Ramam Indivara Syamam , Sridevi was at her best when she got to the lyric Paavana bhaktha sevanam with several intriguing versions that possessed an exclusive identity of hers. A similar portrayal of class was in store as she came down to Koluvamaregada in Thodi ragam, especially while reaching towards the Srikaruni stretch in the first charanam.
Amongst the most familiar of the compositions she rendered that evening, was the Annamacharya composition, Bhavayami Gopalabalam in the very pleasing Yamuna Kalyani ragam, and the little personal touches she gave to the number in the phrase, Nirata kara kalita lent it a special aura. She chose to conclude with the Purandaradas kriti Baro Krishnayya and Faraju tillana, both in Adi talam. R Srikanth with the kanjira and Bulusu Ravi Kumar on the mridangam were in supreme control of their act too. N C Murthy, the chief guest for the event felicitated the performers later.
