Carnatic vocalist, Late Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana’s 93rd birth anniversary was celebrated last week in the presence of stalwart musician, violinist Annavarapu Ramaswamy who was also conferred with the title ‘Viswa Kalaratna’, an award created by Viswakala Parishat in 1983, launched by Nookala himself. Noted vocalist from Rajahmundry, Tulasi Viswanath gave a vocal concert on the occasion. She was accompanied by her brothers Nandakumar (violinist) and Peravali Jayabhaskar (mridangam artiste)Nanda Kumar is senior lecturer in a government music college while Jayabhaskar is in the service of AIR.
Tulasi started her concert with Sahana Varnam that she presented in two speeds displaying her ease and perfection. She then presented Ninne Bhajana of Thyagaraja in Nata. The swara exercises gave it sumptuous look. Later she sang another composition of Thyagaraja’s Nee Daya Rada in Vasantha Bhairavi and followed it with Patnam Subrmanya Iyer’s Marivere Dikkevaru in Lathangi launching it after she gave a fine delineation of the raga. The swarakalpana that she presented gave it fine finish.
Tulasi later chose to present Reetigowla in detail for the composition Ninnu Vina Marigalada of Syama Shastry in Abheri. This number too was well received. Nanuganna Talli of Thyagaraja in rare raga Kesari was a quickie, followed by the main item of the concert Evarimata Vinnavo of Thyagaraja in Kambhoji. The picture of the raga she gave was ideal and was a bit extensive for the listeners to savour its beauty. It was built in higher octave too revealing the span of her vocal verve. The kirtana rendition was so clear in sahitya expression that audience could enjoy every line. She added neraval too extending sahitya prasthara and the swarakalpana was indeed a pleasure to listen to. She then came out with Nookala’s own composition Ramakatha sudha in the raaga Madhuvanti. It was more a tribute in the memory of scholarly vocalist Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana. Tulasi closed her concert session with a tillana in Aahirbhairavi of Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, Nookala’s closest friend.
At a brief function held later Annavarapu Ramaswamy was felicitated by the Trustees and Members of Viswakala Parishat. He was presented with a gold medal along with citation awarding the title ‘Viswakala Ratna’. Ramaswamy in his brief thanks giving shared some of his memories and moments he spent with Nookala, while learning music together. He called Nookala a ‘Naada Yogi’ and said it was real honour to receive award on in Nookala’s name.
