By  Dr. Padmavathi  Narasimhan

JSS Sangeeta Sabha, Mysuru, conducts music conference every December from 2nd to 6th. This is the only music conference conducted in the district. Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt is the inspiration behind this conference.

The first evening began with grandeur in the presence of the holy seer. President of the conference Dr. S. Vijayaraghavan and this year’s Sangeeta Seva Nidhi recipient Mysore V.Subramanya were driven in the ‘sarot’ along with eminent musicians of the city, from Fire Brigade in Saraswathipuram to ‘Navajyoti Sabhangana’, where chief guest  Captain G.R. Gopinath of Deccan Aviation and the guests were given a warm welcome. Three music personalities G. Vidyashankar (Art Promotion), M.R. Manjunath (ghatam) and C.S. Ramamani (vocal) were felicitated for their service to the field of music. Noted critic, organiser  and Veena artiste Mysore V. Subramanya (great grandson of Veene Seshanna) was conferred  the title ‘Sangeeta Seva Nidhi’. The inaugural and felicitation were followed by a veena concert by  Conference President Dr. Vijayaraghavan. He was accompanied by K.U. Jayachandra Rao on mridangam and G.S. Ramanujam on ghatam.

Vijayaraghavan has a traditional style of playing with no gimmicks. The concert which lasted for an hour comprised  four compositions out of which Simhendra Madhyama was chosen for a detailed treatment. The first one, invoking Lord Ganapati ‘Gajavadana Beduve’ was a Purandaradasa piece, followed by well-known ‘Enta muddu’ of Thyagaraja in the ever-pleasing raga Bindumalini, after which he quickly took to Simhendra Madhyama. The raga, though short was stimulating and decorated with some attractive sancharas. The tana which is always a pleasure to listen to on a veena was lively and produced the desired effect. ‘Ninne nammitinayya Sri Rama’ by Mysuru Vasudevacharya was the expected kriti, wherein neraval was taken up for ‘Pannagendra shayana Pannagari vahana’.  The contribution of Jayachandra Rao on mridangam and Ramanujam on ghatam was inspiring and an asset to the concert.

Vijayaraghavan concluded his concert with Muppina Shadakshari Devaru’s ‘Sakalakellake Neene’ in Mandari tuned and sung by Balamurali Krishna.