Veenavaadhini Sampradaya Sangit Trust, led by Jeyaraaj Krishnan and Jayasri Jeyaraaj, had recently organised a three-day celebration in connection with Muthuswamy Dikshitar Jayanthi, at Arkay Convention Centre. The series which had an enjoyable line-up concluded with ‘Vagdevi Vaibhavam,’ a thematic veena concert by Jeyaraaj and Jayasri focussing on the kritis of Muthuswami Dikshitar extolling Goddess Saraswati.
The duo had selected nine rare gems of Dikshitar. As most of them were new the lyric of each kriti was explained by the narrator Rajani Arjun Shankar, who also highlighted the speciality of each composition.
The concert opened with ‘Kalavati Kamalasana Yuvati’ in Kalavati (Yagapriya) followed by ‘Bharati Maddhishana’ in Devamanohari, ‘Sarasvatya Bhagavatya’ in Chaya Gowla (derivative of Mayamalavagowla), ‘Namo Namaste Girvani’ in Girvani (Ghavambodi) and the well-known ‘Sri Sarasvati Namostute’ in Arabhi. All these ragas were given a significant prelude so that the raga, bhava and range could be comprehended. The main item was ‘Veena Pustaka Dharinim’ in Vegavahini (Chakravaham) with an elaborate alapana ornamented by tanam with an interesting chain of exotic ragas such as Veena Vinodhini, Sarada, Hamsavahini and the popular Saraswati. The concluding number was a nottuswaram in Sankarabharanam, ‘Vagdevi Mamava Kalyani’.
The duo should be lauded for the concept and their presentation for keeping the spotlight on the musical aspect with raga elucidation and swaras confined to a few songs. Above all, Jayasri singing along with the veena helped the audience follow the kriti. Thanjavur Kumar on the mridangam showcased a variety of rhythmic patterns from Adi, Rupakam, Misra Chapu to Khanda and Misra Ekam.
A pleasant surprise was a houseful audience none of whom stirred till the end of the concert. The chief guest Nandini Ramani in her concluding address recalled how Dikshitar compositions were used in her dance presentation and remarked that the veena concert was an elevating experience. True. The concert was not only an elevating experience, but also educative and engaging.
