Sudha Ragunathan presents grand vocal recital

By Dr. Padmavathi Narasimhan

In memory of B.S. Pandit, the great educationalist, visionary and founder of GSSS Institutions, a grand vocal recital by the very popular Sudha Ragunathan was organised by his daughter at GSSS Institute of Engineering and Technology for Women (GSSSIETW) on KRS Road on the 16th of November. She was accompanied by Charumathi Raghuraman on violin, N.C. Bharadwaj on mridanga and R. Raman on morching.

Sudha’s concerts have become rare these days perhaps because of which a large number of audience had gathered to listen to her music.

Sudha has earned a huge name in the music industry. That she is the favourite disciple of M.L. Vasanthakumari (MLV) has added to her fame.

Though her easy flowing style and the honeyed melody were missing in her voice, the concert did not fail to lose its attraction.

The concert was a mixture of compositions from various composers. A major part of it included  Karnataka composers. Muttiah Bhagavatar’s Daru varna in kamas ‘Mate malayadhwaja pandya sanjate’ led to Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar’s Athana composition ‘Shree maha Ganapatim Bhajeham,’ which also found interesting swara patterns. Purandara Dasa’s ‘Jaya Jaya Janakikanta’ of MLV fame in Nata was also ornamented with swaras.

Hindola Ragalapana was unhurried and treated with extreme care and delicacy, in contrast with her former energetic style. Mysore Vasudevacharya’s good old composition ‘Mamavatu Sri Saraswati’ was rendered well with also a neraval at ‘Komalakara Saroja Dhrutaveena.’ Kalpana swaras at ‘Saraswati’ proved the creativity of the artiste. Poorvkalyani, the main attraction of the evening, could have been more elaborate. ‘Parama Pavana Rama Paapavimochana’ by Ramanathapuram Srinivasa Iyengar, Swaras at ‘Kanakambaradhara’ had variety and skill.

Charumathi was fully supportive throughout. Taniyavartanam by Bharadwaj and Raman was interesting. Raman’s jatis without the usage of hands was particularly engaging.

The last half an hour of the concert brought Sudha to her original form, wherein the confidence level was high. Requests poured in. While a shloka in Yaman Kalyani leading onto Purandara Dasa’s ‘Harismarane Mado Nirantara’ brought memories of her Guru, ‘More to Giridhara Gopala’ of MS fame and ‘Brahma Okate Para Brahma Okate’ drew immense applause. ‘Venkatachalanilayam’ by Purandara Dasa and a tillana in Brindava Saranga by Balamuralikrishna concluded the concert.