Music and dance reviews

Harmany at Harmonium habba

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,
devotional and light music also. Stalwarts like Vittal Rao Koregawankar, Panchakshari Gavai, Puttaraj Gavai, Vasanth Kanakapura, Seshadri Gavai - are
some of the prominent Harmonium players of yesteryears.

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.

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.

Duet, trio, a quartet of harmonium, lecture demonstrations, a release of publications and CDs and felicitations were also held on the occasion.

Duet, ensemble, apart from solo harmonium recitals were held on Saturday evening.

An interesting duet of harmonium and sarangi were presented by Deepak Marathe and Sarfaraz Khan.

They chose rag
Rajeswari which attracted with its lilting melody. Kedar Naphade's choice was popular raga Yaman.

He skillfully played it in teen thaal.

Tanmay Devthakke had selected Kaphi Sindhura
for his harmonium quartet.

They played with ease and confidence. In the final concert of the evening, senior advocate cum musician Ravindra Mane's Janasammohiny was pleasing, throughout.

Divinely abled students
exhibit talent

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.

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.

'Hari Hara Ninnana Mechisabahude' was with meaningful lyrics in a satirical tone in the raga Sindubhairavi.

While 'Bhajamyaham' was in the raga Hamsadwani, the 'Ramanamamu' was tuned in Athana.

A bhajan of Bharati Teertha Swamijee and Namadeva were also included. Indeed, they sang in unison aligning well with sruti.

Pleasing
vocal and
veena ensemble

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.

'Kambodhi Swara Jathi'(of Veena Seshanna) and 'Jalandhara' of Jayachamaraja Wodeyar - were the choice of the veena trio.

Dr Geetha Bhat elaborated Shanmukhapriya, which was proof of her talent and good training.

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.

Mysore V Subramanya