A hearty treat in classicism

It was a blend of young and senior artistes enthralling music lovers at the annual mid-year series of dance and music.

Shanmukhapriya and Haripriya (Priya sisters). Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Renowned vocalist duo Priya sisters, Shanmukhapriya and Haripriya regaled the music aficionados at Centenary Auditorium Waltair Club Visakhapatnam. The concert was hosted as part of Visakha Music Academy’s annual four-day mid-year series of dance and music which was sponsored by Sadyojata Trust of vocalist Lalitha Chandrasekhar. Well-versed in this format of music, this duo rendered every bit in their distinct way giving rasikas a hearty treat in classicism. The duo both in collective and individual rendition were at their idiosyncratic best as their approaches were imaginative and eloquent.

The concert opened with a varnam Saami ninne koriyunnadi of Patnam Subrahmanya Iyer in raga Atana. The swara sorties that formed an imperative aspect of the rendition were classy, while raga essays remained distinctive. Exposition raga Todi for the composition Kamalambike of Muttuswamy Deekshitar was expansive and expressive bringing out the depth and range in an appealing manner. A fluent swara foray further added to it. In elaborate treatment the duo took up raga Harikambhoji as the mainstay of the concert. The kriti for this was Enta raanithana of Thyagaraja. With graceful neraval at the line Seshudu Sivuniki and engaging swarakalpana, they captured the beauty of raga in its entire elegance. In post tani round, Needasyamokkate of Annamayya in raga Malkouns, Kailasagirinundi Kasikai , a composition of Devulapalli Krishna Sastry, Uyyalalugumaa Srisatya Sai in Yeman evoked good response.

On violin, Parur MA Krishnaswami, Parupalli Phalgun on mridangam and Mandapaka Ravi on kanjira lent good support.

On the third day, the session opened with veena recital by Aparna Tanikella. Ably accompanied by Ravindra Tejaswi Ramavarapu on mridgangam, she began it with Natakuranjivarnam. Her choice for the mainstay was raga Kambhoji for

Kailasanadhena of Deekshitar that gently emanated in its grace and vibrancy as she strummed her way to hearts of rasikas. Marivere dikkevarayya of Patnam Subrahmanya Iyer in raga Latangi, Kanjadalayatakshi in raga Kamalamanohari found hearty treatment.

Later vocal duo by Kompella Lakshmisarada and Kompella Durgakalyani was well-received. The duo exhibited good flair for expression and delivered the chosen pieces in sync with each other. They picked up raga Kalyani for expansion for the composition Needu charanapankajamule . Laced with adroit swara kalpana and nifty neraval at O Jagajjanani , it was reflective of their manodharma. H Ramcharan on violin and V Bhaskar Kalyan on mridangam lent admirable support.

BV Vidhyasagara’s vocal concert opened the session on fourth day and that of

Sriramaratna gaadhe capped the event. While the former chose raga Bilahari for

Tholijanmamunajeyu mudupu telisenu Raama of Thyagaraja for delineation as the star piece of the evening, the latter took up raga Keeravaani for

Kaligiyunte of Thyagaraja for detailed presentation as the mainstay. Both the young talents were at their best, displaying flair for expression.