By Dr. Padmavathi Narasimhan

On the 6th day of the music series at 8th Cross, V.V. Mohalla, Jayanthi Kumaresh and Kumaresh presented a veena-violin duet concert. They were accompanied by Ananth R. Krishnan on mridanga and Giridhara Udupa on ghata.

Jayanthi’s playing style truly brings out the voice of the veena in terms of originality in content, technique and virtuosity and expression.

The duo started the concert impressively with the well-known Varna ‘Veeri Boni’ in Bhairavi by Pachamiriyam Adi Appaiah in Atta Tala. While Kumaresh continued to tune and fine tune his violin sound in his laptop even after 8 pm, Jayanthi dwelt on Kalyani, giving him time. ‘Ganapate Mahamate’ by Deekshitar, not much heard in concerts, was a welcome choice. Abheri suffered disturbances from Kumaresh, who was still struggling with his laptop. The composition was one of their own.

Kharaharapriya, adorned with powerful gamakas, was steeped in unalloyed classicism. The raga development was marked by pleasing gamaka-oriented sancharas.

Jayanthi announced that Kumaresh is on a project where he has set each shloka of Saundarya Lahari by Adi Shankaracharya to music in the form of a kriti. The couple chose one such shloka ‘Abijnanam’, which Kumaresh has set in Kharaharapriya raga. Jayanthi’s skill in handling the veena with an expertise and in conveying the lyrical content of the song brought memories of her guru S. Balachander.

The Raga-Tana-Pallavi in Nalinakanti was the highlight of the concert. The raga development was marked by pleasing gamaka-oriented sancharas and both revelled in playing the taanam, exploring the intrinsic beauty of the raga. The pallavi had no sahitya and was set to Adi Tala.  A swarakshara pallavi, it was well-essayed with creative combinations. Delectable notes of Vasantha, Kapi, Kalyanavasantha and Hamsanandi were an aural treat.

Interesting exchanges between veena and mridangist Ananth in the course of the swara passages, with the latter virtually reproducing the sounds of Nalanakanti including the Arohana and Avarohana on mridanga brought huge applause from the audience.

In the post-tani part of the concert, the couple played a folk tune in Behag and concluded the concert with Sri Shyamashastri’s ‘Kamakshi’ in Madhyamavathi.

Taniyavartanam by Ananth Krishnan and Giridhara Udupa in Adi Tala two-kalai for the pallavi was characterised by intelligent laya manipulations.