On a melodious journey

Venue: Narada Gana Sabha, 04th December 2013, 430 pm

The concert for the evening was for Karthik Fine Arts where Smts. Ranjani & Gayatri gave yet another excellent performance at Narada Gana Sabha. The sisters began the evening with a Saveri Varnam "Sarasuda" and moved on to the ever melodious "Evvarani" in Devamruthavarshini. 

Smt Gayathri revealed the power of vivadi raga Jyothiswaroopini through a brilliant aalapanai to sing a composition of Koteeswara Iyer's "Gaanamudha paanam". The krithi was well rendered with neraval and intricate swaras at "Gaanamudha paanam". Ranjani Gayatri's power of music lies in their lyrical purity, tonal quality and a perfect sruthi synchronisation. The violinist in his turn brought out the beauty of the raga. The next item for the concert was the famous Swati Tirunal composition in Kaanada, "Mamava sadha janani" set to Rupakam.

Beautiful Bilahari

The main piece for the evening was Bilahari. A perfect raga that exudes positiveness and happiness. Ranjani and Gayatri presented an elaborate raga aalapanai in Bilahari to move to one of the master pieces by Saint Thyagaraja - "Dorakuna ItuvaNti". It certainly was a lovely Bilahari I had listened to in a long time. The sisters brought out the beauty of the raga with melody filled phrases. The free flowing sangathis at "Ramabrahma thanayudow" were electrifying and showcased the mastery of their voice and expression. Shri. BU Ganesh Prasad was truly outstanding and provided an excellent support throughout the evening.

Instead of singing a virutham in the quick song segment, the sisters sang the lines of Purandaradasa and moved to "Hari smarane Maadu" by the same composer in Yamuna Kalyani ragam. They concluded the concert with an Abhang in Raag Bairagi.

It was a wonderful and a lively thani displayed by both Prasads. Shri KV Prasad on the Mridangam and Shri N Guruprasad on the Ghatam gave a laya treat during their thani.