Mysuru :
The 21st Music Conference in memory of Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji took off with pomp by extending a ceremonious Nadaswara welcome to the President of the Conference Vidwan H.K. Narasimhamurthy in a procession escorted by many musicians and the office-bearers of JSS Sangitha Sabha. The programme was inaugurated yesterday at JSS Women’s College in Saraswathipuram by Dr. M.A. Saleem, City Police Commissioner. K.V. Murthy, connoisseur of art presided. K.B. Ganapathy, Editor-in-Chief, Star of Mysore, released the souvenir — ‘Nada Namana.’
Five persons, who have served in the music field were also felicitated. Vid. P. Shivakumar (Tumkur) – vocal, Vid. Hosahalli K. Venkataraman – violin, Vid. G.S. Siddagangachar Chitradurga – veena, Vid. Sampagodu D.S. Suryanarayana Bhat – vocal and K.S.N. Prasad (Mysuru) – music patron were the ones who were felicitated.
As per the custom, the inaugural concert was given by the conference president. H.K. Narasimhamurthy (HKN), being a violinist, presented not one but a violin trio along with H.M. Sindhu and H.M. Smitha. They were accompanied by Neyveli Venkatesh (mridanga) and G.S. Ramanujam (ghata). In a short time, HKN did manage to present an impressive concert. The trio took off with a fine Varna (Dwijavanthi), composed by Pacchamirai Krishna Ayyar in a fast pace and in perfect unison. He accommodated compositions of each Muthuswami Dixitar, Tyagaraja and Purandaradasa. Dixitar’s ‘Gajaananayutam’ (Chakravaka) and ‘Hiranmayeem Lakshmeem’ (Lalitha), Tyagaraja’s ‘Ethavunnara’ (Kalyani) and Purandaradasa’s ‘Venkatachalanilayam’ (Sindhubhairavi) were presented very neatly.
A string of crisp kalpanaswaras by the trio added beauty to ‘Gajaananayutham.’ A pleasant sketch of Raga Lalitha by Sindhu Suchethan was followed by ‘Hiranmayeem Lakshmeem.’ Narasimhamurthy, in his typical cool manner, took up raga Kalyani for elaboration. The systematic development of the raga highlighted the phrases omitting Panchama. That added pep to his alapa. Some of the phrases reminded of his Guru M.S. Gopalakrishnan (MSG). HKN is undoubtedly spreading MSG baani in Mysuru through his innumerable disciples. ‘Ethavunnara’ was pleasing to ears. The perfect understanding between the trio is noteworthy. Every kruti they played exhibited this harmony that is very much required while playing with more than one artistes. The young Sindhu and Smitha can capture melody instantaneously. They are in perfect tune with each other.
The taniaavartahana by Neyveli Venkatesh and G.S. Ramanujam was filled with lively combination of Jathis. The duo too managed to steal the show in a short span of time. A brief alapa of Sindhubhairavi by HKN was filled with raga bhava that flowed easily through his bow. The popular Sanskrit composition of Puranadaradasa ‘Venkatachalanilayam’ and ‘Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma’ brought the curtains down for the first day of the music conference.
The five-day conference includes morning sessions by scholars presenting papers and lecture-demonstrations, while the evenings are reserved for concerts.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday , December 03rd, 2014