A three-day celebration of Visakha Music and Dance Academy’s founder’s day at Kalabharati, Visakhapatnam, saw a string of concerts in both light music and classical come alive. It was more than pleasant to see a light music session hosted almost after a decade. A host of senior singers under the baton noted Bandaru Chittibabu presented a sterling performance. A rich variety of numbers ranging from love, romance and pangs of separation to sentiment and devotion besides charms of nature in its thematic treatment held the audience in thrall. Fine turn of phrase, expression of delicate feelings of love and romance, subtle shades of sentiment, fervour of devotion — all that found a resonant poetic expression in the lyrics of redoubtable Devulappali, Indiraganti Srikantha Sarma, Arudra, Narayana Reddy and their ilk taking the music aficionados to fairy lands forlorn on wings of melody.
It commenced with a devotional number Saptagirulu sapta swaramulai of T. Sivarao in praise of the Lord of seven hills. Vennela maatadite of Dusi Dharma Rao was about the charms of moonlight and its hypnotic spell over sensible and sensitive hearts and minds. Sruthichisina veena ide, sudhalolike gaanamide of Indraganti Srikanta Sarma was a serenade replete with poetic sparkle spreading out a young heart in the first flush of love. Singer Srikant’s melodic voice revelled in articulation of subtle lyrical nuances in perfect sync with musical score which enhanced the emotive appeal of the lyric.
Madhuranagari vraja sukumari lent an abiding expression to mythical aura of Lord Krishna, while Rellupula panupu paina of Devulapalli sprinkled the splendour of nature. Singers Mandapaka Sarada, Chandramani, Jayalakshmi, Saiprasanthi, Bharati, G. Anand, BA Narayana, Vedabhaskaram and V Ramarao took part.
On the second and third days, young artistes displayed remarkable artistic acumen in Carnatic classical vocal. It was heartening to see the young talents essaying well to deal with intricate aspects of Carnatic idiom. That they did it with gusto was reflective of the quality instruction given to them. Ably accompanied by Mallela Tejaswi on violin and Varanasi Jayadeep Sarma on mridangam, M.P.S. Ravali sought to delineate raga Bhagesree for brief RTP with pallavi Sagarasayanavibho Paahimam sriprabho . She put up an admirable performance.
Chaganti Ramya Kironmayi chose raga Kalayani for Nidichala sukama of Thyagaraja for elaboration. She configured the raga essay in an alluring template full of succulent gamakas. Mantha Sriramya on violin and V. Saisrikar on mridangam were at their best.
B. Lakshmi Suryateja’s choice for mainstay was raga Kambhoji for Kailasanadha samraksjitoham of Deekshitar. It was a brilliant rendition in detailed manner that brought out the inherent beauty of the raga. Ch. Ramya Kiranmayee on violin and P. Satya Jayadev on mridangam lent good support. Also, J. Sriram took up raga Kalyani for detailed exposition for Nidichalasukhama of Thygaraja. He ably unveiled the charming profile of the raga. Gyanadev Pappu on violin and Kamesh on mridangam were adroit.
Also, the academy on this occasion presented its merit awards to artistes of promise. Kusumanjali and Bhavana in vocal, Sree Kesava Rama Rangarao in violin, V. Varshita in dance, P. Suresh Kumar in mridangam, P.V. Srinija in veena and Kurmapu Sitaram in dolu received the awards.
