On 18th April, Srividya Janakiraman presented a vocal concert with Sumanth on violin, Radhesh on mridanga and Vikram Bharadwaj on ghata. A graded artiste of All India Radio, Srividya is one of the leading vocalists of today. Her concert was a blend of known and rare compositions.

‘Re Re Manasa Gajananam Bhajare’ is a not-very familiar composition of Cheyur Chengalvaraya Shastri in nata. Srividya rendered it neatly. Swaras were intellectually woven  for two places in pallavi — Re Re… and Bhajare… Tyagaraja’s rare ‘Ennadu Juchuno Inakula’ in Kalavati was a welcome surprise as it is hardly heard in the concerts of today. Vocalists should sing more of these unheard compositions of Tyagaraja and popularise them.

Varali was developed with melodious phrases] and the choice for the evening was Tyagaraja’s ‘Eti Janmamidi Ha O Rama.’ The composition was presented with clarity in sahitya and a neraval at ‘Sagara Shayanuni Tyagarajanutuni’ but the second charana ‘Saatile Neemaara Koti lavanyuni’ was left out.

Begade was a very good choice as the raga was not sung by any of the previous artistes on the platform. The vocalist essayed the raga slowly step by step in a scholarly manner. ‘Nadopasana’ by Tyagaraja was a soothing presentation with a suitable neraval at ‘Tantri Laya Swara’ though the artiste faltered with the muktaya.

A special feature of the concert was that all the artistes except the main artiste were from Mysuru. Young Sumanth rose up to the expectation, receiving encouragement both by the artiste and by audience. Radhesh and Vikram were not only supportive but also presented a lively taniyavartanam.

Srividya presented a short RTP in Saveri choosing the first line of Swati Tirunal’s ‘Bhavayami Raghuramam Bhavya Sugunaramam’ set to Adi tala. The pallavi was simple and was elegantly presented. Ragas Natikuranji, Dhanyasi and Mohana were chosen for the ragamalika swaras.

Shloka ‘Mata Ramo matsakha Raghaveshah’ was sung with good pronunciation of lyrics in ragas Simhendra Madhyama and Hamsanandi which then led to Purandara Dasa’s ‘Alli Nodalu Rama Illi Nodalu Rama.’

Vocalists should avoid referring to the text too often as it gives the impression of lack of preparation to the audience. The artiste closed the concert with ‘Rama Ra Seetha Rama Ra’ in Khamas.

By Dr. Padmavathi Narasimhan