Smitha Madhav, Bhairavi Music Circle, Puducherry, 22 Aug '10

[Pratyaksham Bala]

Vocal : Smitha Madhav
Violin: Bombay V. Anand
Mridangam: Nellai A. Balaji

Smitha presented a large number (15) of varied items within a short span of less than three hours, and for this she had to keep alapanas, neravals and swaraprastaras under control. Even Nellai Balaji in mridangam had to keep his thani short and sharp.

Smitha started with Mayavaram Viswanatha Sastri’s composition ‘Sri Maha Ganapate Surapate Siddhi Vinayaka’ in Nattai. This was followed by Peria Charama and Ranganathashtakam ‘Sa Chitra Sayee, Bhujagendra Sayee’ which served as warming up pieces.

‘Mal Maruga Shanmukha Muruga Guha’ by Papanasam Sivan in raga Vasanta set the tempo which continued till the end. The entire show was meritorious. ‘Adamodi Galade’ by Tyagaraja in Charukesi set to Adi talam received the desired treatment with appropriate alapana. Next she handled with ease Muthuswami Dikshitar’s kriti ‘Parandhamavathi Yayati in Dharmavathi. A crisp neraval on ‘Guru Guha Jananee’ was offered. ‘Enta Matramuna Evvaru Talachina Anta Matrame Neevu’, a composition by Annamacharya, in Kamavardhani, was rendered next.

The main item of the kutcheri was ‘Karunakara Moorti’ composed by Vedanayakam Pillai. Poorvikalyani was extensively dealt with and the captivating neraval was on ‘kanakambara’. Though short, the thani in mridangam was entrancing.

The post main session started with ‘Oruthi Maganai Pirandu (Tiruppavai) in Behag, followed by ‘Sakala Kalai Arulum Shree Saras-wathiye’, a composition by T. Srinivasan. Two short items ‘Sanchalam Teerkum’ and ‘Saranam Ayyppa Saranam Ayyappa’ was followed by a mellifluous Mira song ‘Mere to Giridhara Gopala Dusaro na Koyi’. Tillana in fast pace was the last item before Mangalam.

Bombay V. Anand in violin provided tremendous support. Nellai A. Balaji in Mridangam with his controlled delivery earned the admiration of the rasikas.

[rshankar]

Isn't she also a dancer?

[Pratyaksham Bala]

Yes.
Bharatanatyam Dancer.