Mahalaxmi at Sree Sanmukhananda Sangeetha sabha Festival, Delhi

03/08/2005 12:57PM

The festival featured yet another young artist on 1st March ’05- Ms. Mahalaxmi, a coming up artist from the capital.

The concert started with a kriti of Tyagaraja in the raga Mayamalavagaulai followed by Atana kriti ‘Anupama Gunambudhi’which were well attempted. ‘Sada mahim’ of Tyagaraja in Gambhiravani was a good choice for the evening. The raga alapana in Kharaharapriya was well rendered and the kirtana ‘Ramani samana’ with niraval swaras was good. With a sprite Nenarunchi Nanu in Malavi, it was time for the main piece in Panthuvarali – Raghuvara, which was appreciable. The following tukdas Anumanai Anudinam ninai, Brindavane venu, valli kanavan and the concluding song of Bharathiar Chinnachiru kiliye was very well presented. The accompanists Sh. VSK Chakrapani on violin gave a very good support and Sh. K.N. Padhmanabhan excelled in his tani avartanam, which was well applauded.

The second part of the day was staged with Hyderabad sisters Ms Lalitha and Haripriya who are very well known artists in the field of Carnatic music.

This was a Classic Example of A Gem of Purest Ray Serene. The Kriti renderings are marked by clarity, purity and evinces good lineage. Gifted with good voice the Hyderabad Sisters drew great respect from the audience. Also here was a sort of indication of all artists performing for the Shanmuganandha Sabha have spl. Rapo with it and give out their best. Commencement of the concert with Ninne Bhajana in Nata raga was itself showed the class of the artists. Handling of raga Shadvidamargini with a kriti of Tiruvottiyur Tyagayya was of high order and was very well presented. The violinist Sh. Raghavendra followed the alapana and kriti with maturity and clarity. The Tyagaraja Kriti in Mohanam- Mati Mati ki in M. Chapu was a rare piece and deserve great appreciation for the way the raga alapana was rendered eloboratly and then the presentation of the kriti with its niraval, swara kalpana and the kuraippu and mohras.

It was then time for light ragas and tukdas and there again the sisters showed their competence by singing Sanchalam Theeramma, Pahi Kalyana rama and the finale by a Tillana in Mand. The evening ended with a nice mangalam and standing ovation from the audience. Palladam Ravi and Tiruchi Murali on the Mridangam and Ghatam stood to their best in the accompaniment both with the artists and on Tani avartanam. Sh Raghavendra, gave an excellent support on the violin.

[Photo 1: Mahalakshmi; Photo 2: the Hyderabad Sisters].

World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20050308125716528