<p class="bodytext">Harmany at Harmonium habba</p>.<p class="bodytext">Harmonium is effectively used alongside Indian classical music. It is a popular, widely used accompaniment and occasionally we also hear Harmonium solo recitals. Many of our Hindustani vocalists are also harmonium players and it is widely used in semiclassical, <br />devotional and light music also. Stalwarts like Vittal Rao Koregawankar, Panchakshari Gavai, Puttaraj Gavai, Vasanth Kanakapura, Seshadri Gavai - are <br />some of the prominent Harmonium players of yesteryears.</p>.<p class="bodytext">So also in Carnatic music we had Arunachalappa, H Bhima Rao, Palladam Venkataramana Rao and in stage music artistes like Seshagiri Rao, R Paramashivan - have rendered yeomen services.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pandith Rambhau Bijapure, a state Academy Award winner, was not only an outstanding harmonium player but also a great teacher. His birth centenary was celebrated last week by the Bijapure Harmonium Foundation, in a unique way. A Hundred Harmonium Ensemble (Shatha Samvadini Vaadana) lead by Dr Ravindra Gururaj Katoti - was probably the first of its kind and a fitting tribute to a great maestro.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duet, trio, a quartet of harmonium, lecture demonstrations, a release of publications and CDs and felicitations were also held on the occasion.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duet, ensemble, apart from solo harmonium recitals were held on Saturday evening.</p>.<p class="bodytext">An interesting duet of harmonium and sarangi were presented by Deepak Marathe and Sarfaraz Khan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They chose rag <br />Rajeswari which attracted with its lilting melody. Kedar Naphade's choice was popular raga Yaman.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He skillfully played it in teen thaal.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Tanmay Devthakke had selected Kaphi Sindhura <br />for his harmonium quartet.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They played with ease and confidence. In the final concert of the evening, senior advocate cum musician Ravindra Mane's Janasammohiny was pleasing, throughout.</p>.<p class="Briefhead">Divinely abled students <br />exhibit talent</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hamsakuteera Foundation is a rare institution serving the divinely abled (differently abled) children. Under the direction of Dr Geetha Bhat, a child mental health practitioner and a veena player, differently abled students are being trained in a scientific way. She is enriching their (differently abled) lives through music - especially through vocal, veena and rhythm. In the annual festival 'Naada Prayathna' several such students exhibited their talent at Seva Sadana, on Saturday morning.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The ensemble of differently abled students opened their programme with a popular bhajan 'Shudda Bramha Partpara Rama'. It was followed by a few well-known devotionals like 'Narayannathe Namo Namo' of Annamacharya which helped to spread a divine-serene atmosphere in the auditorium.</p>.<p class="bodytext">'Hari Hara Ninnana Mechisabahude' was with meaningful lyrics in a satirical tone in the raga Sindubhairavi.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While 'Bhajamyaham' was in the raga Hamsadwani, the 'Ramanamamu' was tuned in Athana.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A bhajan of Bharati Teertha Swamijee and Namadeva were also included. Indeed, they sang in unison aligning well with sruti.</p>.<p class="Briefhead">Pleasing<br />vocal and <br />veena ensemble</p>.<p class="bodytext">Among other students 'Dwadasha Gayakaru' (12), sang 'Kamakshee Varalakshee' pleasingly. Young Anasuya rendered evocatively a composition of Swati Tirunal in the raga Kaapi, 16 member ensemble opened their Veena recital with an attractive Pancha raga swarajathi followed by a piece in Mohana.</p>.<p class="bodytext">'Kambodhi Swara Jathi'(of Veena Seshanna) and 'Jalandhara' of Jayachamaraja Wodeyar - were the choice of the veena trio.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Dr Geetha Bhat elaborated Shanmukhapriya, which was proof of her talent and good training.</p>.<p class="bodytext">J K Sridhar, S N Narayana Murthy, Prema V Dutt - accompanied on violin, mrudanga and rhythm pad, respectively. The Hamsa Kuteera deserves all help from the government and society.</p>.<p class="byline">Mysore V Subramanya</p>
<p class="bodytext">Harmany at Harmonium habba</p>.<p class="bodytext">Harmonium is effectively used alongside Indian classical music. It is a popular, widely used accompaniment and occasionally we also hear Harmonium solo recitals. Many of our Hindustani vocalists are also harmonium players and it is widely used in semiclassical, <br />devotional and light music also. Stalwarts like Vittal Rao Koregawankar, Panchakshari Gavai, Puttaraj Gavai, Vasanth Kanakapura, Seshadri Gavai - are <br />some of the prominent Harmonium players of yesteryears.</p>.<p class="bodytext">So also in Carnatic music we had Arunachalappa, H Bhima Rao, Palladam Venkataramana Rao and in stage music artistes like Seshagiri Rao, R Paramashivan - have rendered yeomen services.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pandith Rambhau Bijapure, a state Academy Award winner, was not only an outstanding harmonium player but also a great teacher. His birth centenary was celebrated last week by the Bijapure Harmonium Foundation, in a unique way. A Hundred Harmonium Ensemble (Shatha Samvadini Vaadana) lead by Dr Ravindra Gururaj Katoti - was probably the first of its kind and a fitting tribute to a great maestro.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duet, trio, a quartet of harmonium, lecture demonstrations, a release of publications and CDs and felicitations were also held on the occasion.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duet, ensemble, apart from solo harmonium recitals were held on Saturday evening.</p>.<p class="bodytext">An interesting duet of harmonium and sarangi were presented by Deepak Marathe and Sarfaraz Khan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They chose rag <br />Rajeswari which attracted with its lilting melody. Kedar Naphade's choice was popular raga Yaman.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He skillfully played it in teen thaal.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Tanmay Devthakke had selected Kaphi Sindhura <br />for his harmonium quartet.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They played with ease and confidence. In the final concert of the evening, senior advocate cum musician Ravindra Mane's Janasammohiny was pleasing, throughout.</p>.<p class="Briefhead">Divinely abled students <br />exhibit talent</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hamsakuteera Foundation is a rare institution serving the divinely abled (differently abled) children. Under the direction of Dr Geetha Bhat, a child mental health practitioner and a veena player, differently abled students are being trained in a scientific way. She is enriching their (differently abled) lives through music - especially through vocal, veena and rhythm. In the annual festival 'Naada Prayathna' several such students exhibited their talent at Seva Sadana, on Saturday morning.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The ensemble of differently abled students opened their programme with a popular bhajan 'Shudda Bramha Partpara Rama'. It was followed by a few well-known devotionals like 'Narayannathe Namo Namo' of Annamacharya which helped to spread a divine-serene atmosphere in the auditorium.</p>.<p class="bodytext">'Hari Hara Ninnana Mechisabahude' was with meaningful lyrics in a satirical tone in the raga Sindubhairavi.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While 'Bhajamyaham' was in the raga Hamsadwani, the 'Ramanamamu' was tuned in Athana.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A bhajan of Bharati Teertha Swamijee and Namadeva were also included. Indeed, they sang in unison aligning well with sruti.</p>.<p class="Briefhead">Pleasing<br />vocal and <br />veena ensemble</p>.<p class="bodytext">Among other students 'Dwadasha Gayakaru' (12), sang 'Kamakshee Varalakshee' pleasingly. Young Anasuya rendered evocatively a composition of Swati Tirunal in the raga Kaapi, 16 member ensemble opened their Veena recital with an attractive Pancha raga swarajathi followed by a piece in Mohana.</p>.<p class="bodytext">'Kambodhi Swara Jathi'(of Veena Seshanna) and 'Jalandhara' of Jayachamaraja Wodeyar - were the choice of the veena trio.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Dr Geetha Bhat elaborated Shanmukhapriya, which was proof of her talent and good training.</p>.<p class="bodytext">J K Sridhar, S N Narayana Murthy, Prema V Dutt - accompanied on violin, mrudanga and rhythm pad, respectively. The Hamsa Kuteera deserves all help from the government and society.</p>.<p class="byline">Mysore V Subramanya</p>