Carrying on T.S.Sankaran, his grandfather’s musical legacy, J.A. Jayanth is is one of the much sought after young flautists in the current concert scenario. T.S. Sankaran, a senior flautist who had served at Kalakshetra, had won praise from many vidwans for his chaste classical style. Besides giving solo flute perfomances, Sankaran had provided flute accompaniment for the vocal concerts of stalwarts such as M.L. Vasanthakumari . J. A. Jayanth, who is at present honing his skills under the guidance of Sanjay Subramaniam has brought out ‘Tranquil Melodies’, an audio CD which features as many as 21 compositions.
Jayanth has chosen to display his prowess by presenting songs which normally feature as tail-enders in a Carnatic concert.The single exception being 'Adamodigalade' (Charukesi, Tyagaraja).
The genius of veteran Dr M. Balamuralikrishna gets reflected in his tuning of Sadasiva Brahmendra's 'Gayathi Vanamali ' in Hamsadhwani in madyama sruthi. Jayanth's rendering of this song is wholesome and provides a good opening to this disc. The compositions that follow are 'Poonkuyil' (Kapi, Kalki Krishnamoorthy), 'Thoomani’ (Hamirkalyani, Andal), 'Hari Tumaharo' (Darbari Kanada, Mira) and ‘Madava Mamava' (Neelambari, Narayana Tirtha).
Jayanth would have done well to choose compositions in more varied kala pramanams as most of the numbers are in a similar tempo which reduces the interest of the listener .
The final four numbers are 'Koovi Azhaithaal' (Vaali), 'Sakhi Praana' (Dharmapuri Subbarayar), 'Akhilandeswari' (Muthuswami Dikshitar) and 'Baaro Krishnaiah' (Kanakadasa). N.C. Baradwaj on the mridangam provides exemplary accompaniment. The Tuthukarams at times do not match the sahityams. Getting familiar with the lyrics would help Jayanth in this regard. However, overall, the CD provides an enjoyable session of flute music.
