By Dr. Rama V. Bennur

‘Tarangaa,’ the School of Flute, founded by Vidu. Smitha Srikiran, celebrated its 4th anniversary on the 7th and 8th of July 2018 at the Vasudevacharya Bhavana in city.

Smitha Srikiran, under the banner Tarangaa, has been training students in India and abroad in Junior, Senior and Vidwat categories from about 10 years, with an intention of imparting music awareness and providing a platform to students.

The evening programme on 7th was inaugurated by H. Chennappa, Assistant Director, Kannada and Culture Department, Mysuru. Smitha Srikiran’s second CD ‘Vijaya tarangini’ on Devi Kruthis  was released by noted senior vocalist Vidu. G.S. Rajalakshmi at the function that was presided over by K.V. Murthy. Four batches of students of Tarangaa performed flute and vocal.

On the second day, a flute recital by Vid. T.R.Srinath of Bengaluru was arranged. He was accompanied by Dr. K.T. Udaykiran on violin, Vid. G.S. Ramanujam on mridanga and V.S. Ramesh on ghata. Apart from late Vid. A.V. Prakash, Srinath has been groomed by many eminent artistes. Good blowing, melody and a matured manodharma makes his flute recital satisfying.

Bhairavi Atta taala Varna ‘Viriboni’ was the opening piece with an interesting uttarardha — the second half was played in Chatusra and two speeds of Tisra, which calls for good hold on the laya. The one and only composition available in the raga Durvanki ‘Nam Ganapathe Namasthe’ by Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was perfect with a frill of kalpana swaras. Srinath’s rendering of compositions followed the text or lyrics flawlessly. Tyagaraja’s ‘Evarani Nirnayinchirira’ (Devamruthavarshini) was another instance to this. Another composition of Tyagaraja in Yadukulakambodhi ‘Heccharikaga rara’ had a soothing prelude.

Tyagaraja seemed to be the main composer of the day. ‘Tatvameruga tharama Rama’ (Garudadhwani) included many impressive improvisations and the kalpana swaras with straight notes had the flavour of Western music too. Udaykiran added pep to it with his easy flow.

Srinath’s delineation of Raga Darbar  brought out his virtuosity when he embellished them with many of the flourishes. Udaykiran’s bowing too was bright and colourful. ‘Endundi vedaliyo’ was elaborated with all the details and kalpana swaras. After a lively Tani avartana by Ramanujam and Ramesh, it was time for lighter compositions. ‘Shree Sharadambam bhaje’ in Saramathi, ‘Jagadoddharana’ in Hindustani Kapi which had very beautiful ragalapana by both ‘Kandu dhanyanaden’ in Behag followed for the pleasure of the listeners.

A healing touch

‘Ganabharathi’ of Mysuru takes pride in its variety of activities apart from arranging music and Dance programmes regularly. It happily takes music to those who cannot attend its programmes. Inmates of old-age homes, jail and hospitals are given an opportunity to enjoy good music. Recently inmates of Bharath Cancer Hospital had this favourable time of listening to fine flute recital. Flautist V. Vamshidhar & Vidwans H.K. Narasimhamurthy (violin), A. Radhesh (mridanga) & S. Manjunath (ghata) were the artistes who showed concern in their own way.

Vamshidhar appropriately had chosen all popular kruthis and made it a very melodious concert. Opening the concert with ‘Vathapi Ganapathimbhajeham’ (Hamsadhwani), he went on with ‘Siddhi Vinayakam’ (Shanmukhapriya), ‘Brocheva revarura’ (Khamach), ‘Sudhamayi sudhanidhe’ (Amruthavarshini), ‘Intha soukhya’ (Kapi), ‘Krishna nee begane’ (Yamuna kalyani) and ‘Bhagyada Lakshmi baramma.’ The manodharma part of music had a very soothing effect.

H.K. Narasimha Murthy’s violin, Radhesh and Manjunath’s percussion support brought a totality to the sound of flute. The staff of the hospital too enjoyed the change. It was indeed a good gesture of all the artistes and Ganabharathi as well.