Abhivyakthi’, a Centre for Art and Culture, presented a Rangapravesha of Sannutha Jayaram at RamaGovinda Rangamandira on the 27th of May for a crowded audience. Young Sannutha is a disciple of Guru Suhasini Koulagi. This young Civil Engineer whose heart is in Dance and Yoga has dedicated herself for the cause of art and culture. She is also trained in veena playing.

Sannutha was accompanied by her Guru Suhasini Koulagi (natuvanga), Vinay Rajamanya (vocal), Venkata Subramanyan (mridanga), H.S. Thandavamurthy (violin) and Bharath Raj (flute).

Sannutha began her recital with a Nrutyanjali in the Raga Gambheera Nata and choreographed by Dr. Sridhar and Anuradha. This piece with attractive adavus was ended with the official State Anthem of the Kingdom of Mysore ‘Kayau Shri Gowri.’

The traditional Alaripu was followed by a Jathiswara in Ragamalike, set to Mishra Chapu Taala. It was indeed an opportunity for the young dancer to showcase her perfect Nritta and Nritya. Sannutha was at ease with her leg and body movements. It is the Varna, that usually is considered as the measuring scale of a dancer’s talent and capacity in both Nritya and Abhinaya. This Varna ‘Roopamu Joochi’ in the raga Thodi, set to Adi Taala was choreographed by none other than Rukmini Devi Arundale of Kalakshetra. The Nayika, deeply in love with the Lord Brihadeeshwara of Tanjore, pleads to have mercy on her. Sannutha with a face that radiates calmness and serenity could effortlessly bring out the love and devotion of the Nayika. Her controlled Abhinaya or facial expression  too adds to it. Her bright eyes convey most of the bhavas.

‘Chandrachooda Shivashankara,’ a popular Devaranama of Purandara Dasa had Shiva as Neelakantha, Manmatha dahana and Bhaktha Markandeya episodes in Sanchari. It was a welcome to watch a Javali being presented. ‘Apaduruku’ in the raga Khamach beautifully portrayed the confusion, frustration and the pain the Nayika experienced when she learns of a rumour spread about her.  The recital concluded with a Thillana. Sannutha assured the audience of her commitment and dedication to dance in her Rangapravesha. Thanks to Guru Suhasini Kaulagi for the perfect grooming. A good support from the accompanists added for the impressive presentation.

The young crowd-puller

The 255th Moonlight Music (June 4, 2023) at the beautiful ambience of Suttur Mutt at the Foothill was by a special artiste. Sooryagayathri is a very popular child artiste who was groomed by Kuldeep M. Pai. Her rendering of  bhajans  under the ‘Guru Parampara’ series in YouTube had attracted many crores of listeners. Now she is in her teens and qualified to be a classical musician. She has already performed in many countries. Sooryagayathri is a recipient of many accolades as well.

Sooryagayathri’s capacity in exploring her voice is superb. She can easily traverse between higher and lower octaves. Her childhood singing was mainly Bhajans and Light Classicals, the traces of which can still be noticed. Good sense of Laya and Shruthi made up for her not so intense singing. She can roll-down a cascade of spirals effortlessly which attracts the rasikas. She has a long way to go before diving deep into the ocean of Classicism.

She was accompanied on the violin by her uncle Vidwan P.V. Sunil and her father P.V. Anil on mridanga. Vidwan Vazhappally Krishnakumar provided Ghata support.

She began her concert with a Varna ‘Amma Aananda Dayaki’ in the raga Gambhira Nata, set to Adi Taala, a composition of Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna. A short contour of Shanmukhapriya with brisk birkas lead to ‘Siddhi Vinayakam’, the famous composition of Muthuswami Dikshitar. Crisp and short Kalpana swaras at ‘Prasiddha Gana Nayakam’ at an atheetha eduppu exhibited her confidence. Krishnaswamy Ayya’s ‘Amba Paradevathe’in the raga Rudrapriya was perfect. ‘Baro Krishnayya’ (Ragamalike), ‘Aadaddella Olithe Aayithu’ (Purvikalyani) and ‘Odi Barayya’ (Bhairavi) were the Kannada compositions she had selected which were much appreciated.

Be it a composition or aalapana, they are studded with fast birkas. Vidwan Sunil and Vidwan Anil were very supportive to the young artiste. Krishnakumar too did not lag behind in contributing for the success of the concert.

—Dr. Rama V. Bennur