Sushira, V. Deshikachar’s Academy of Music, conducted its 19th anniversary for four days from Aug.13 to 16 at Mysore Vasudevacharya Bhavana in memory of late V. Deshikachar. N.J. Nandini from Kerala gave a vocal concert on the 13th. She was accompanied on violin by H.N. Bhaskar, on mridanga by Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma on kanjira by Sunad Anoor.

Nandini has a voice not really suited for classical music but she has trained it well with dedicated practice to produce sound music. Right from ‘Brochevarevarura’ in Khamas (Mysore Vasudevacharya) to the tail piece javali in Behag she proved her talent in all aspects of Manodharma – be it alapana, swara kalpana, tana or pallavi rendering. Nandini had chosen some rare compositions for the occasion. ‘Gangeya Vasanadhara Padmanabha’ in Hameer Kalyani by Maharaja Swati Tirunal was rendered with bhava and Mysore Vasudevacharya’s ‘Idi Samayamu Brovarada’ in Natakapriya was preceded by a well-structured Alapana, ornamented with a neraval at ‘Karunato Gajarajuni Moralida Brovakaleda’ and kalpana swaras with grahabheda swaras in Shankarabharana. ‘Tyagaraja’s ‘shobhillu saptaswara’ was delivered with good speed maintaining the beauty of the composition.

The  RTP in Hamsanandi was satisfying with appealing Hindustani tinges in its alapana and also a grahabheda in Hindola. ‘Nenje ninai ambe’ pallavi set to Khanda Nade Adi Tala was expertly rendered. ‘Muruhanin Maru Peru Alagai’ was sung with aesthetic sangatis. Nandini concluded the concert with M.D. Ramanathan’s heart-touching composition ‘Sagara shayana vibho’ in Desh.

Nandini has amazing talent and by virtue of her sustained practice, she is able to create divine music. She can work more on Sahitya part of the compositions to make them more appealing to the listeners.

Bhaskar was not only supportive on violin but also creative adding essence in each part of the concert. Anoor Ananta Krishna Sharma was encouraging and favourable and Sunad followed his uncle faithfully.

By Dr. Padmavathi Narasimhan