The 22nd Pongal music festival, organised by the Coimbatore Kendra of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, featured a series of Carnatic music session. This year’s festival was dedicated to Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna and almost all artists paid tribute by singing songs popularised by him.
On the inaugural day, veteran musician Suguna Varadachari was honoured with the title ‘Sangeeth Samrat’ by Coimbatore Kendra’s Chairman B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar. K. Sivaramakrishnan, a well-known musician and music teacher from Coimbatore received ‘Subri Muruga Gana Award,’ instituted in memory of freedom fighter ‘Subri.’
The award function was followed by Sandeep Narayan’s concert. He began his recital with ‘Saami Neeyae Gathi,’ the Tamil varnam in Kedaragowlai by Koteeswara Iyer. There were other rare kritis too such as ‘Maruvakadhaya Mohananga’ by Garbapurivasa. After a brief alapana of Anandabhairavi, Sandeep presented Syama Sastri’s ‘Marivaerae Gathiyevvaramma’ at a leisurely pace, showcasing the splendour of the composition. A roller-coaster ‘Vaasudevayani’ followed in break-neck speed after a very brief introduction of Kalyani that shone like a flash of lightning. Incredible brigas and the torrential shower of swaras had a strong flavour of his guru Sanjay Subrahmanian and bore testimony to his rigorous practice. The Saveri alapana that followed was melting but powerful. ‘Sri Raajagopaala Baala’, was rendered with exquisite beauty and energy. The thani that followed was a worthy match between K.V. Prasad on the mridangam and the energetic Anirudh Athreya on the ganjira. K.V. Prasad’s interesting challenges were met with elan by the young percussionist. Mysore V. Srikanth’s mellifluous violin added sheen to Sandeep’s music and his solo essays and swara repartees were an aural treat. Sandeep sang ‘Gaayathi Vanamaali’ and ‘Pibarae Raamarasam’ as a tribute to Balamuralikrishna.
Priya Sisters –– Shanmukhapriya and Haripriya — gave an impressive recital the following day, accompanied by M.A. Krishnaswamy on the violin, Patri Satish Kumar on the mridangam and Tiruchi K. Murali on the ghatam. They began their lively journey with Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar’s varnam, ‘Maathae, Malayadhwaja.’ ‘Seethamma Maayamma’ in Vasantha followed with sprightly swaraprastaras. The tender notes of Sahana wafted through and the sisters followed it up with ‘Chiththam Irangadhadhaenayyaa’, soaking it in pleasing melody. ‘Saagaa Varamarulvai Rama’ by Subramanya Bharati in Varamu, which was preceded by an alapana, was delightful. The main raga was Thodi and the duo rendered Tyagaraja’s ‘Yemi Jesithaenaemi.’ The bhava-rich niraval, the interesting swara combinations and the splendid thani made the kriti a wholesome feast. M.A. Krishnaswamy’s violin was melodious and his contribution to the success of the concert was significant. As always, Priya Sisters gave considerable importance to the lighter songs. ‘Ekkadi Maanusha Janmam’ by Annamayya, ‘Sri Krishna Chaitanya’ and ‘Emi Sethura Linga’ (a tribute to Balamurali Krishna) kept the rasikas glued to their seats.
Dr. Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam presented a thematic concert on Tyagaraja, with pertinent slides explaining the relevance of the kritis she had chosen. She pointed out that Tyagaraja composed three kritis based on three slokas of ‘Sangita Ratnakara’ — ‘Nada Tanum Anisham Sankaram’ in Chittaranjani is based on the first sloka, ‘Sobillu Saptaswara’ (Jaganmohini) on the second and ‘Nadopasana’ (Begada) on the third. ‘Sangeeta Jnaanamu Bhaktivinaa’ in Dhanyasi, ‘Nadaloludai’ in Kalyana Vasantham, ‘Mokshamu Galadha’ in Saramathi and ‘Vara Raaga Laya’ in Chenchu Khambodi were the other kritis she sang after giving appropriate introductions. ‘Swara Raaga Sudhaa Rasayutha Bhakti’ in Sankarabharanam was presented as the central piece with elaborate alapana, niraval and swaraprastaram. She presented enjoyable alapanas of Dhanyasi, Kalyana Vasantham and Saramathi too. Vijayalakshmy’s melodious and pliable voice was an added asset. Anayampatti Venkatasubramanian on the violin, T.R. Sundaresan on the mridangam and S.V. Subramaniam on the ganjira gave her excellent support.
