Sibling chemistry comes to the fore

Deepa and Divya sisters performing vocal concert at the Raga Sudha Hall Photo: M. Srinath

There is little doubt that as vocalists the sister duo of Deepa Vivekanandan and Divya Balasubramaniam have received meritable tutelage from their masters and having absorbed that training, are able to exhibit it in their performance. Discernible proof of this was witnessed at their recent vocal recital at Raga Sudha Hall, when the pair’s two and a half hour concert, organised by Balaganamrutham, showcased not only some exceptional singing but also moments of impeccable co-ordination and chemistry between the two.

Currently training under P.S.Narayanaswamy along with voice training lessons from Ananth Vaidhyanathan, the siblings have also been students of Srivanchiam Mani Iyer, Swamimalai Janakiraman, O.S.Thiagarajan and Dr. Prema Rangarajan.

Team effort

They began the concert with the popular Muthuswamy Dikshitar composition ‘Gajananayutam Ganeshwaram’ set in Chakravakam, Chaturasra Eka tala. Albeit this is a piece that is often heard at concerts, the duo's rendition of it was nuanced and refreshing. One particular swara sangati towards the end stood out and was ably supported by Narmadha on the violin.

Subsequently, the piercing and oscillating notes of a composition like 'Kandrin Kuralai Kettu' set in Mukhari, Misrachapu tala were effortlessly brought about. This was followed by Tyagaraja's ‘Amma Ravamma’ in Kalyani, Khanda tala which was elaborate and the sisters played on their individual strengths in this composition.

In the opening alapana of the next composition, Divya single-handedly traversed the heights and depths of raga Dhanyasi and then the duo began ‘Mayuranatham Anisham’ set to Rupaka tala in the same raga.

Next on the list was Muthuswamy Bhagavatar’s ‘Sharanam Vijaya Saraswati Maaye’ in Raga Vijayasaraswathy which was short and simple. Deepa showed her calibre as a singer with the Sankarabharanam masterpiece- ‘Endhuko Peddala’ by exploring the intricate aspects of the popular raga and churning them out in the form of a beautiful alapana. The face-off between Mannargudi Balaji on the mridangam and Madipakkam Murali on the ghatam was engaging with each of them excelling at playing their respective instruments.

The sombre, yet poignant mood set by 'Akhilandeshwari’ (Dwijavanti) ended the evening's recital.