Unfolding rich repertory of songs and ragas

Vidu. Vasudha Keshav presented a vocal concert as part of  the 128th Sri Rama Navami Music Festival organised by Sri Ramabhyudaya Sabha Charitable Trust at Alamma Choultry, Devaraja Mohalla,  in city recently.

She was accompanied by Vid. Mathoor Srinidhi on violin, Vid. B.C. Manjunath on mridanga and Vid. Manjunath on ghata.

A product of the Mysore School of Music, Vasudha had training under the able guidance of her aunts, Vidu. Mahalaskhmi and Vidu. Yadugiri, both of whom are A-Grade artistes of AIR (Akashvani). After her marriage to Keshav, a bank officer, Vasudha shifted to Chennai where also she continued with her music.

Vidu. Vasudha commenced her programme with a varnam ‘Swamy Nenu’ in Raga Kedaragoula, a brisk and neat rendering with appropriate support from the accompanists. Then followed the famous inaugural Krithi of Thyagayya’s Pancharatnas, namely ‘Jagadananda Karaka’ in ‘Nata’ raga. The speed with which this kriti unfolds itself in the various Charanas is commendable and Vidu. Vasudha did full justice to it in her rendering. This also unfolded the rich repertory of songs and ragas that had been planned by the artiste for the concert and the audience were assured of a rich menu.

The next song was ‘Teliya Ledu Rama Bhakthi Margamu’ in Raga ‘Dhenuka’ very well sung. An elegant and short Swara prasthara followed for this. The above was followed by ‘Mamava Raghurama’ in Raga ‘Saranga’ coming out quickly.

‘Ritigoula’ was given a short Alapana and followed by the popular ‘Janani Ninnu Vina,’ Vidu. Vasudha gave a splendid rendering to this number. A detailed swara prasthara followed and the accompanists gave support in their own way. It was a fine output by any standard.

‘Anupama Gunambudhi’ in raga ‘Atana’ followed quickly and in its rendering I was reminded of the giant of a musician, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar (a Gayaka Samrat) who always included this number in his programme. [A short deviation: the last I heard Ariyakudi was at Shanmukhananda Sabha in 1963 at Bombay where, for the inauguration of its new building in Sion (Bombay), three music programmes were arranged (three-day function), the other two artistes being the legendary M.S. and Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan. What a great trio and what a wonderful and memorable concerts in a row, they were.

‘Kambodhi’ was chosen for R.T.P. and Vidu. Vasudha did full justice in its rendering, tearing out the strands of the Alapana in full measure though, on very few occasions her throat could not match the higher octaves in full measure. The ‘Sri Raghuvara Bhaje’ for the pallavi and the Swaraprasthara were elegant and maximum support was provided by all the three accompanying artists. Then followed ‘Hari Chitha Sathya’ in Raga ‘Jonpuri’, brilliantly sung.

A sloka ‘Sri Raghavam Dasarathathmaja Maprameyam’ was taken up for full delineation by Vidu. Vasudha, the raga was ‘Purvi’ and the second and third stanzas were respectively sung in Ragas ‘Sindhu Bhairavi’ and ‘Ananda Bhairavi’. Totally it was a neat rendering with solid support of the Violinist Vid. Mathoor Srinidhi and the percussionists.

The concert ended with a Purandaradasa number.

—M.L. Krishnaswami