Sri Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha had organised an excellent vocal recital by Vidwan Pattabhirama Pandit on Dec. 10 at Sri Vasudevacharya Bhavana.

A proud disciple of Palghat K.V. Narayanaswamy, he has inherited many good qualities of his Guru’s music which is evident in his singing. Over the years, Vidwan Pattabhirama Pandit has evolved as a fine singer, a complete musician. He was accompanied by V.V.S. Murari on violin and H.S. Sudheendra on mridanga respectively.

O my mind, won’t you listen to my appeal, who knows the compassionate heart of the great Sri Ramachandra? I am revealing all the secrets… thus began the concert with ‘Manavyalakincha radate,’ a gem of Tyagaraja in the raga Nalinakanthi. The  energetic and lively Kalpana swaras added to it. Tyagaraja fondly invites Sri Rama to his house in ‘Rara ma inti daaka’ in the raga asaveri.

Pattabhirama Pandit is adept in bringing out the sahithyabhava. After which, he dived in to Brindavana saranga, the evergreen ‘Ranga puravihara’ of Muthuswami Dikshitar. Yet again the lyrics unfurled their grandeur in a ceremonial cadence.

Patnam Subramania Iyer’s ‘Dhanyudevvaro’ (Malaya-marutha) witnessed an extraordinarily imaginative Kalpana swaras. Pattabhirama Pandit’s heart liberates itself when it comes to singing Kalpana swaras. Different nades, unimaginable permutation and combinations reign this part of his manodharma.

Rasikas experienced the same in Mysore Vasudevacharya’s ‘Mari mari vachuna manava janmamu’ (Kambodhi) in both ragalapana and Kalpana swaras. His artistic imagination was par excellence. The detailed exposition of the age old raga was a musical treat.

The bold, clear and impressive bowing by V.V.S. Murari was equally good. His playing speaks volume of his scholarship. In fact, the perfect chemistry between Pandit, Murari and Sudheendra resulted in making the concert a grand success.

Sudheendra is one percussionist who knows when to whisper or roar by his vast experience! Kudos to this trio for the music that had the  ability to transport us with lyrics, notes so emotive.

—Dr. Rama V. Bennur