Jayashree Aravind for Veenavaadini, Chennai 28.4.2018

[Sivaramakrishnan]

243rd Jayanti of Naadajyoti Muthuswami Dikshitar
Veenavaadhini Sampradaya Sangit Trust, 28-29 April 2018

'Madhuradhwani', Arkay Convention Centre, Mylapore, Chennai.

Smt Jayashree Aravind-Veena
Smt Usha Rajagopal-Violin
Sri KMS Mani-Mridangam

28.04.2018
05.00-06.35 p.m.

Pitch : 2.5 kattai (D#)
Both E-sruti and Tambura were used

Veenavaadhini Sampradaya Sangit Trust, run by the noted Vainika-Dampathi Sri JT Jeyaraaj Krishnan and Smt Jaysri Jeyaraaj belonging to the sishya parampara of Dikshitar organise the Vaaggeyakaara's jayanti every year with some pertinent events. Several rare kritis of Dikshitar get highlighted in these programmes.

This year's 2-day event beginning 28 April was inaugurated by Sri S Sivakumar, Vice president, Sundaram Finance who also spoke briefly on the greatness of Muthuswami Dikshitar and lauded the noble efforts of the Trust.

The opening concert was a Veena recital by Smt Jayashree Aravind, a senior disciple of Sangita Kalanidhi K S Narayanaswami and presently heading the musical initiatives at Isha Yoga, Coimbatore. The concert made a perfect, serene start for the event. Chennai rasikas were perhaps getting a rare opportunity to listen to the Vidushi -one of the very few torchbearers of the KSN Baani noted for a pristine pure rendering devoid of unnecessary embellishments. She had performed at the Trivandrum Navaratri Mandapam a few years ago most appropriately during the birth centenary year of her guru.

Kritis rendered:
1.Mayamalavagoula -Sree naathaadi guruguho jayati (R,S)
2.Yadukulakambodhi-Divakaratanujam (R)
3.Naata- Pavanaatmaja (R,S)
4.Kalyani-Bhajare re chittha (R,T,N,S)
5.Devagandhari- Vadaanyeswaram (R)
6.Punnagavarali- Ehi Annapoorne

There could not be a better selection for first item than Sreenaathaadi for beginning a concert dedicated t Dikshitar. A brief outline of Mayamalavagoula gave a strong introduction to the kriti. Swaraprastara at various segments of the pallavi sahitya came in naturally. Next was the vaara-kriti, Divaakaratanujam preceded with a brief ragaalapana that gelled well with the mood of the day.

Tha naata that appeared midway brought the not-so-often-heard, yet a brisk Pavanatmaja in Khanda chaapu.

Tha main was the celebrated kriti Bhajare re chittha in Kalyaniwith a detailed alapana, taanam, niraval and swaras @ the anupallavi passage Nijarupadaana. Swara prastaras were clear and engaging.

Vadaanyeswaram in Devagandhari was rendered next with a brief alapnana. A shift to the Madhyamasruti yielded a breezy Ehi Annapoorne in Punnaagavarali with total fidelity to the sahityabhava and varnamettu. What a wonderful composition, this! And much suited for Veena. A customary outline of Madhyamavati brought the concert to a smooth finish.

Usha Rajagopal (Violin) supported the veena recital with aplomb and due restraint. KMS Mani (of Trichur- also known as 'Dubai Mani') played the Mridangam unobtrusively and his Tani was brief and enjoyable.

The inaugural session and the concert have been duly up loaded in YouTube.