Come Sri Ramanavami and Mysuru gets decked up for Music Concerts. After a gap of two years, the city came alive for the pleasure of music overs. It looked as though everyone were eager to come out of COVID mania. Bidaram Krishnappa’s Sri Prasanna Seetha Rama Mandira was buzzing with sound of music for nearly eleven days.

This Rama Mandira, which is known as the Kashi of musicians, has been celebrating Ramanavami for 106 years now! It caters Karnatak and Hindustani styles of music. Both instrumental and vocal are given equal opportunities. Renowned musicians from all over the country throng the place to please the rasikas.

Vidushis Ranjani and Gayatri, who performed on the 16th of April, are rare and talented sisters. They are performers in both singing and playing on the violin. Apart from this, they are composers as well. They have received innumerable accolades all over the world. Their perfect shruthi, rich imagination and powerful rendering takes the listeners to a different plane. They were accompanied by H.M. Smitha on violin, Sai Giridhar on mridanga and Omkar Rao on ghata.

Just before the concert, the sisters also released a book on the entire works of Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar titled ‘Guruguhantharanga’ in two volumes in  Kannada penned by Dr. V. Shreemathi.

The Rama Mandira was literally brimming with rasikas indicating their popularity. Every kruthi they presented were fresh, bright and carried the reflection of timeless value of classicism. ‘Neekeladayaraadu’ (Sarasangi), ‘Yavaraninirnayinchedira’ (Devamruthavarshini), ‘Ramachandram Bhavayami’ (Vasantha), ‘Maa Jankeesha’ (Kambodhi) each one was a musical treat.

The manodharma sangeetha showcased their rich musical heritage. Every phrase had the classical touch which carried the raga bhava. Smitha was equally good and provided very good support. Sai Giridhar and Omkar Rao too gave a wonderful rhythmic support.

On the 19th, Dr. S.V. Sahana gave a veena concert at the same venue. This young veena player from Mysuru is carving a niche for herself with her dedication and hard work. She has been groomed by senior musicians like M.J. Srrinivasa Iyengar, Dr. Sukanya Prabhakar, T.N. Seshagopalan and T.V. Gopalakrishnan. Today, she is one of the most soughtafter veena artiste. She has performed in many leading Sabhas both in India and abroad.

She was accompanied on mridanga by one of the senior musicians Mannargudi Eshwaran. Her confidence tops her melody and playing techniques. She has mastered the instrument and as a result, the fingers move easily to bring out the desired result effectively. This was evident in almost all the pieces she played.

‘Tulasidala’ (Mayamalavagowla – Tyagaraja), ‘Brochevarevarura’ (Khamach – Mysore Vasudevacharya), ‘Ninnenammithi’ (Simhendramadhyama – Mysore Vasudevacharya), ’Sadamadin’ (Gambheeravani – Tyagaraja) and ‘Swara raga sudha’ (Shankarabharana – Tyagaraja) were some of the kruthis she played. Every composition was neatly presented.

Raga alapana and the Taana of Shankarabharana had a typical Mysuru flavour. The variety of Kalpana swaras spoke of her rich manodharma. She certainly has the ability to shine like a star among the young veena players. Veteran Mannargudi Eswaran was very encouraging to the young player all through the concert.

—Dr. Rama V. Bennur