Melharmony/ Jazz Rock for Chennai rehabilitation by Sri Chitraveena Ravikiran

[Anitha Dilip]

“Great leaders inspire greatness in others”

The fundraising concert at San Jose was a true testimony to this fact. Greats from both the Western and Eastern representation of Music, presented a one and half hour Musical performance to help the recent food victims of Chennai.
The Mexican Heritage Theater at San Jose on 14th of February 2016, was brimming with positive energy, expecting the outstanding canorous music by none other than the Mozart of Carnatic Music - a musician par excellence, an innovator, composer and above all an exceptional human being, Sangeeth Samrat Sri Chitravina N.Ravikiran, along with George Brooks – Saxhophone (Grammy-nominated Saxophonist and composer known for bridging Jazz and Indian Classical Music), Simon Phillips – Drums (World-famous drummer known for his skills in Rock, Fusion, and Jazz), Ramesh Srinivasan – Mridangam, (an exceptional artist well known for Laya intricacies and a much sought after Guru), Osam Ezzeldin – Keyboard (multi faceted ,talented artist known for Jazz, Blues, and R&B)

The evening began with the president of the IIT-MAANA, Sri Narendra Naik welcoming the distinguished audience. This was followed by a very moving slideshow of the plight of the flood victims. He spoke about how and why this idea of the concert came up, the role of every Chennai lover, humanitarian person’s ‘must contribution’ to this great cause. He also mentioned how the main artist of the Day, Sri Ravikiran known for his humanitarian efforts (fund raisers for Katrina, Doctors without Borders etc) initiated the idea of raising funds for the victims and the role of the AID foundation. This was followed by Mrs Padma Gargeya‘s admirable job of introducing the artists.

The first segment got off to a dynamic start with Maestro Ravikiran’s rendition of his own composition ‘Adi Vinayakam’ in Reethigowla. This composition is beautiful blend and rhythm and harmony. Melodic notes of Reethigowla’s were well presented in intricate aesthetic mathematical patterns. Mr Simon Philips who very intuitively played to the rhythm of the composition accompanied him on the drums. The Maestro appropriately called this piece a ‘Varnam Rock”. Sri Ramesh joined the next rendition ‘Gnanamusagarada’ which brought out the magnificence of Poorvikalyani by the Maestro.

A slow paced beautiful composition of Mr George Brooks was presented next, with Mr Phillips the drums and Mr Osam on the Keyboard. This composition brought out the beauty of Jazz and the grandeur of the Saxophone. The dexterity of Mr Osam’s playing was noteworthy.
The next two pieces ‘Spice and Night Spinner’ and the ‘Satin White’ were presented by all the artists with full gusto. Sri Ravikiran and Mr Brooks leading the compositions, the beauty of each system was gracefully presented to the great delight of the audience. This pre intermission segment ended with an entrancing ever attractive, snake charmer composition.

The intermission saw the generosity and the spirit of giving back with modesty in which almost every single rasika donating back to the society with the ‘right pinch to the pocket’ as was beautifully told by Mastro Raivkiran in his fund raising speech. It is with great happiness one should note that the organizers have collected $65 K so far and are targeting a collection of $150 K through this awesome program. Anyone wishing to donate for this noble cause is requested to visit http://www.iitmaana.org for additional information.

The second segment saw the most chaste presentation and alapana and tanam by Maestro Ravikiran in Simhedramadhyamam well supported and complemented by Mr Brooks. The Pallavi was very neatly done. It was in 2 kalai Adi Talam with Samam eduppu. The poorvanga structure was 4 khandams with 3 chaturashrams, with the ardijaravai of 7 matras and 1 khandam 1 Chaturashram in the lower speed in the Uttarangam. Sri Ravikiran composed this outstanding Pallavi and the final korvai was equally grand. It is noteworthy to mention the rhythm rendering or the Tani rendition here. Sri Ramesh on the Mrdangam played his heart out, the consistency in the playing and intricate patterns that he showed stood out. Mr Philips gave the best responses on his drums. He best part was the ‘Konnakol’ by Sri Ramesh and the repetition of the same on the drums by Mr Phillips. The clarity and precision with which Ramesh ji sang the Konnakol was equally matched by the wonderful playing on the drums. This portion saw the joyous enjoyment by the energized audience.

This segment also saw the Chief Guest for the evening Sri Sundar Pichai, CEO of the world famous Google, listen and enjoy the music with rapt attention. This successful phenomenal evening ended with a wonderfulspeech by Sri Sundar Pichai and felicitation of artists and other dignitaries. Everyone carried this wonderful music and the sense of humility back in their hearts!