Sangeeta Katti’s concert…

Dr. Sangeeta Katti presenting a concert at Mysore Vasudevacharya Bhavana in city recently. She is accompanied by Pt. Rajendra Nakod on tabla and Pt. Satish Kolli on harmonium.

Well-known singer Dr. Sangeeta Katti sang for Raaga Vaibhava Charitable Trust recently at Mysore Vasudevacharya Bhavana. She was accompanied on tabla by Pt. Rajendra Nakod and on harmonium by Pt. Satish Kolli.

A distinguished disciple of the Kirana, Gwalior and Jaipur-Atrauli traditions, Sangeeta presented a concert that balanced intellectual depth with emotional appeal, drawing the audience into the meditative world of Hindustani Music. Blessed with a rich, resonant voice that traverses easily in all the three octaves with no falsity,

Sangeeta unfolded two main ragas with clarity. Her alap of Bhimpalas was marked by purity of swara, graceful meends and a measured progression that revealed the raga’s personality without haste. Khayal vilambit Teen Tal – ‘Re biraha…’ was developed with matured imagination followed by Dhrut – ‘Jaa ja Re apne Mandirava.’

Yaman, one of the most majestic ragas in the Hindustani tradition, demands both emotional depth and intellectual clarity. Sangeetha’s exposition of the raga with khayal vilambit teental – ‘Mo mana lagana laagi – Dhrut Teental ‘Aeri aali piya bina’ brought out its serene grandeur with remarkable poise.

Though late, Sangeeta lovingly heeded to all the requests from the audience, a few of which were – Jai Jai Durga Maata’ in Durga, ‘Sahel re’- a bandish of Kishori Tai in Bhoop, followed by a vachana, ‘KAhe Laadali’ by Pt. Basavaraja Guru and the very popular ‘Kangaliduatako Kaveri Rangana Nodada’ of Bhimsen Joshi fame in Bhairav and ‘Kayo karuNAnidhe’by Mahipati Dasaru also in Sindhu Bhairavi.

The concert was elevated by the excellent support of Rajendra Nakod on tabla, whose playing was marked by restraint, sensitivity and rhythmic imagination. Though seriously injured, not a trace of it could be seen in his playing. Satish Kolli’s support on harmonium was melodic, elegant and unobtrusive, faithfully mirroring the nuances of the vocalist’s presentation.

The concert stood out for its adherence to classical values while remaining deeply engaging. The evening was an absorbing musical experience, reflecting years of rigorous training, aesthetic sensitivity and artistic maturity.

—Dr. Padmavathi Narasimhan