by Latha Sargur
A vocal concert by Vidu. Uma Kumar organised by RAAGA Music Academy at Prajna Kuteera Ayurveda Centre, Mysore, as part of its 22nd monthly music programme recently, provided a musical treat for the audience.
Uma Kumar, a disciple of Prof. Nagamani Srinath, is an accomplished and dedicated professional musician with solid academic background. She is the Founder President of Mahati Cultural Academy, Bengaluru, a faculty at Keshava College of Music & Dance and also a graded artiste of All India Radio, for Karnatak and Light Classical Music.
She began the concert with a vibrant Ata thaala varnam in Kalyani, which indicated the quality of rendition that was to follow. She took off with GNB‘s Saraswathi in Kharaharapriya set to Adi thaala, by presenting the phrases and lingering pauses with effortless ease. The essence of the raaga was brought out well.
The delineation of Poorvikalyani with chaste classicism was reflected in the krithi ninnu vinaga mari dikkevaru of Shyama Shastri set to viloma chapu [4+3 count Tha Ka Dhi Mi Tha Ki Ta] which is just the reverse of mishra chapu [3+4 count Tha Ki Ta Tha Ka Dhi Mi]. This was followed by Thyagarajar’s Raama Bhakthi Saamraajya in Shuddha Bangala, touching the essential aspects of the raaga. The expansive raaga Alaapana of Shanmukhapriya, proved her mettle and dedication of a well trained musician as well.
Vid. K.T. Udayakiran on violin spruced the vocalist’s efforts with virtuosity and aesthetics. The krithi chosen was Mysore Vasudevacharya’s manamutho nannu brovarada set to Adi thaala. The neraval at karimoralida neevu was developed skilfully and the swara korvais gave further momentum to the concert.
The negotiation of the octaves from the base to the crescendo and the descending glides with nonchalant ease demonstrated her on stage performance skill and confidence. Her adherence to shruthi, laya and meticulous attention to saahithya Shuddham was commendable.
The thani aavarthanam that followed was an enterprise in sheer joy. Vid. P. Nataraj on mridanga and Vid. Raghunandan on ghata, embellished the composition and swaras with right touches of exuberance and subtlety, which succeeded in bringing out the dignity and grace of percussive support.
The RTP that followed was in a rare raaga manirangu [janya raaga of Kharaharapriya]. The raaga sanchaara almost entirely in the thaara sthaayi was a challenge to both the artistes. She explored and extracted every note, phrase and nuance of the raga with expertise. The pallavi chosen was Raama jaya Sree Raama paahimaam – parandhaama kodhanda Raama in chathurashra jaathi thriputa thaala Khanda nadai meandering into Thishra jaathi Khanda chowkam. The mature manodharma was evident throughout.
This was followed by Purandaradasar’s alli nodalu Raama in Shivaranjini which touched the emotional core of the audience. Hey Govindha, a Bhajan of Surdas in raag Desh was another inclusion in her line-up.
As a befitting tribute, Uma wrapped up the concert with a thillana in madhuvanthi, composed by her Guru Prof. Nagamani Srinath. While developing her uniqueness in singing, Uma has imbibed her Guru’s style also. Her voice that has an inherent volume, augurs well for her classical pursuits.
On the whole, it was a concert performed with gusto.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Friday , January 09th, 2015