MUSIC AND DANCE
Mysore V Subramanya

In praise of Purandara

Iskcon is not just a temple. It is a movement worldwide. Based on Krishna Bhakthi it is spreading the devotion, as preached by Sreela Prabhupaada, the founder. The Bangalore branch of Iskcon is conducting cultural programmes almost throughout the year. Last week, Purandara Dasara Aradhana was conducted here with music concerts — by both young and seasoned artistes.

H N Meera, who gave a vocal concert in the series on Sunday, is a post graduate in music and is known both as a performer and a teacher. She presented a number of Kannada Devaranamas impactfully. She crowned the concert with the Nambi Kettavarillavo, the legendary composition. Aligning well with Sruti, her feel for the line Ambuja Nabhana added lilt to her singing. Emphasising the lyrical grandeur, she sang few Ugabhoas (Tumbida Aramaneya Mele), as preamble to the composition. Daassarendare Purandara Dasaraiah is a pada of Vyasarayarau, in praise of Purandara Dasaru.

Presenting a few more Devaranamas (Elliruveno Ranga, Yenu Anandavo Hariya Naama, Jagadoddarana) she brought out the lyrical grandeur with melody. While Padma gave her vocal support, J K Sridhar, Narayane Murthy and Krishna Prasad accompanied on violin, mridanga and ghata respectively.

Upcoming singer

The Department of Kannada and Culture presented a Carnatic vocal concert by an upcoming artiste on February 8 as part of the cultural programme at the Nayana auditorium. The artiste, K J Sreelakshmi, is a student of Balasubramanya Sharma and is continuing her studies under P Sundareshan and has passed the proficiency examination also.

Sree Lakshmi presented compositions of different composers neatly. Paripurna Rama was pleasant and she also rendered Shobillu in Jaganmohini, a popular keerthane. Vachaspathi was steady without being exciting. She concluded her concert with the Dhanashree Tillanna. With some more training and stage experience Sree Lakshmi has a good future. She was well supported by Deepa Murthy on violin, Kirankumar on mridanga and Karthik on khanjari.

Rhythm & grace

On Friday, everybody’s attention was on the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, Bangalore. Pandit Birju Maharaj and Ustad Zakir Hussain performed together in aid of Premanjali, which is serving homeless, destitute and needy children. Pandit Birju Maharaj, a veteran and a legendary name in the Kathak dance, is undoubtedly a class apart among dance exponents. Tabla wizard Ustad Zakir Hussain is also an acclaimed percussionist. So the expectations were quite high.

Biju Maharaj caught the attention right from the first piece Sheesh makut.... Kaise Bajaye Shyam. Then, the footwork followed. Teental, Amad, so on . With captivating movements and graceful footwork, reciting the boles customarily, he executed those patterns beautifully. There was a dialogue between tabla and his feet which was done with perfect synchronisation. His student Shaswathi Sen presented the thetukda, chakkar and a Meera Bhajan (Meera ke Prabhu Antarayamee).

Pandithji’s son Deepak Maharaj also started with a neat footwork and delineated the numbers convincingly. Finally, all the three dancers joined together and performed with an authentic touch. In the absence of a major in depth item, the anticipated excitement was missing. Chandrachud Bhattacharya and Ajay Jogalekar accompanied on sitar and harmonium respectively. Ustad Zakir Hussain on tabla was another attraction. His strokes were inspiring to the dancers throughout. In the brief solo, his individual interludes showed his customary sparkle.