On the evening of 22nd September 2019 at Ganabharathi, a musical experience of rare and different kind that occurred will remain in the record for years to come. It was a treat to the appreciative audience who were though moderate in number at Veene Seshanna Bhavan. 

The performance of Vid. N.R. Prashanth was accompanied by three mridangists, one ghatam, one morching and one violin artistes. The high point was the main mridangist who was 96 years old ‘grand master’ Padma Shri Vid. T.K. Murthy supported in tandem by two of his students.

It was  Vid. Prashanth who most humbly started his concert by paying pranams to the grand old man. Knowing the capability of both the Doyen and the main vocalist, there was no ‘one-upmanship’ seen throughout the concert.

Other three accompanists Vidu. Sukanya  Ramgopal on ghata, Vid. Satyamurthy on morching and Vid. Mattur Srinidhi on violin synchronised  for the mood of the evening.

Starting with a Muthuswami Dikshitar’s kriti ‘Kari Kalabhamukham’ in Raga Saveri set to Jhampe Tala, Vid. Prashanth took up the same Composer’s ‘Gowrishaya Namasthe’ in Raga Arabhi set to Triputa Tala. The detailed piece was a composition of Muthuswami Dikshitar ‘Sri Krishnam Bhaja Maanasa Satatam’ in Raga Thodi set to Adi Tala.

The finale was an energetically composed Tillana by his Guru R. Visweswaran in Raga Sindhubhairavi. No classicism was compensated anywhere in the concert.

The thani avarthanam by the five percussionists, of course lead by the Maestro, was beyond imagination of the regular ones. 

For connoisseurs who missed the programme, it was an opportunity lost. 

The standing ovation given by the audience at the end was also not of much concern for Padma Shri T.K. Murthy and he had to be forced to see them. So humble he was! Ganabharathi utilised this opportunity to felicitate this legendary musician.

—Dr. Shanthi Narasimhan