When the humble harmonium shone!

[Rsachi]

Jayanthi's Indian National Orchestra performed to a packed Gayana Samaja last Sunday. Well presented by a 16 member ensemble. I will let a more competent review be posted.

For me the highlight was the wonderful evocative solo passages on the harmonium by Dr. Ravindra Katoti. Incredible perhaps, he made the instrument sing- weighty musical phrases, lilting juxtaposed notes, fast akaar-like passages, in Gangeshwari, BhinnLalit, Behag, Sindhu Bhairavi. He got spontaneous applause every time!

Post Script:
The orchestra had many thunderous percussion moments too.

The finale was made up of Lalgudi's Sindhu Bhairavi Tillana passages.

I think the concept of INO will go far, especially if the laya-emphasized orchestral passages are balanced with more evocative solo movements for talented violins, veenas and flutes as these seemed a bit wasted.

[varsha]

Katoti also organises,with others , Harmonium Habba , once a year in Bangalore. One can hope to hear a range of masters from Kanakapur to Vyasmurthy Katti in spell binding solos