Now in its 24th year, the Keli festival is recognised for its efforts in preserving and propagating India’s rich classical cultural heritage. Each year, a different theme is chosen, and this time, it is the music of Carnatic maestro M Balamuralikrishna. The ongoing festival will culminate at the NBKS Hall, Nerul, on Sunday.
According to the festival director, K Ramachandran, this is a proper time to mark the vitality and resilience of the Carnatic music tradition that Balamuralikrishna inherits and to share its historic import with a wider audience.
On the opening day, the festival was dedicated to vocalist Sri Parupalli Ramakrishnayya Pantulu, after which Balamuralikrishna was honoured with the Veerashrungala, or traditional golden bracelet. Krishnakumar then presented a concert on Balamuralikrishna’s compositions. The second day focused on the maestro’s musical approach, through a recital by Cherthala KN Ranganatha Sharma.
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On Sunday, Cheppad Vamanan Namboothiri will present three compositions. Raag Chandrika will be followed by ‘Thaamra lochana latangi’ in Raag Latangi. “I will conclude with a thillana in Raag Kuntalavarali,” Namboothiri says. The singer says it is an honour to be part of this festival, as Balamuralikrishna has been an inspiration for many musicians. Ramachandran adds that the characteristic of his music has been his non-conformism, spirit of experimentation and boundless creativity. Balamuralikrishna is known to have innovated upon the whole gamut of Carnatic music system even while keeping its rich tradition untouched. Over 25 new raags like Ganapathi, Mahati, Sarvashri and Lavangi are credited to him, and some even contain three or four notes. He has created 400 compositions in various languages, made innovations to the taal system, and also plays the kanjira, mridangam, viola and violin.
Ramachandran says the annual Keli festivals, structured thematically every year, are well-known to Mumbai’s art lovers and have played an important role in shaping the city’s cultural life. In the past, there have been festivals dedicated to music, rhythm, dance and theatre.
The rhythm festivals have featured the thayambaka style of Kerala, unique ensembles and rural playing styles. Dance forms such as Koodiyattam, Kathakali, Mohiniattam and the tribal Chhau have been performed. The music themes have included one dedicated to composer Swati Tirunal and one on Hindustani instrumental music. This time, the city’s Carnatic music lovers have been in for a major treat.
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The author is a freelance music writer