Relationship… it's a word with many connotations. We are defined by our relationship, but the best one we have is with our inner self. And it is this concept that will be examined and explored in the Aikya 2012 concert. Giving a musical expression to that theme will be the versatile Bombay Jayashri, who will take the stage come February 26, 7 p.m., at the Music Academy .
Aikya 2012, a 90-minute concert, will raise funds in support of Smrutha Dhvani, an initiative by Interface and Global Adjustments Services, for retiring artists in the fields of performing arts and empowering young girls by providing them with educational support. The beneficiaries this year are C.P. Venkatesh, 83-year-old flautist, and the 82-year-old tambura player Lakshmi Narayanan. They will be honoured at the event.
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Talking about her plan for Aikya 2012, Jayashri says, “My presentation will speak of a relationship, of a journey… Be it an artist or a rasika, each person embarks on his or her own journey while listening to a melody or rhythm. A song could trigger a memory -- a place, a person and an incident. It could also transport you to another plane. It is this personal experience which I hope to explore and present before the audience.”
Jayashri, who has “in the course of my years as a student, absorbed impressions of various genres of music”, will present a pre-dominantly Carnatic repertoire. “But there will be influences of the genres of music which I have enjoyed listening to over the years, be it Carnatic or Hindustani, film or folk, ghazal or bhajan,” is all she reveals.
Besides being accompanied by a few of her students, Jayashri will get musical support from Embar Kannan (violin), Navin Iyer (flute), Sai Shravanam (tabla), J. Vaidyanathan (mridangam) and Navneeth Sundar (keys).
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Ranjani Manian of Global Adjustments says, “Our endeavour is to showcase the pulsating culture of India and unify our country through music. Aikya is one platform to work towards that goal.” The special guests this year are Maharaj Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur, and Dr. Venu Vasudevan, IAS, joint secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
( Donor passes (Rs. 1,000, Rs. 300, Rs. 250 and Rs. 200) are available at Amethyst(Gopalapuram), Chamiers, Crossword Bookstore (Alwarpet), Global Adjustments (R.A. Puram) Silkworm Boutique (Khader Nawaz Khan Road) and the Odyssey stores. Online booking can be done at www.indianstage.in. For details, call 97109 47713 or 98416 54165 .)