North Americam Melharmonic Voice Ensemble at Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana

[KVasundhara]

“Sri Rangnatham anisham” these were the auspicious words being echoed in the Waeatjen auditorium on a beautiful Monday morning at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana. This was the one of the krtis being melodiously rendered by the North American Melharmonic Voice Ensemble as part of the theme - “Shree Ranga Mahattvam”. Arohana School of Music and Acharyanet.com put this orchestra together. Vanitha Suresh, disciple of Sangeet Samrat Sri Chitravina N.Ravikiran, directed the Ensemble.

The Orchestra started off with a bright composition “Ranganatha Panchakam”. This presentation was tuned in Ragamalika by none other than Guru Chitravina Ravikiran and was set to Khandagati Adi talam.
This was followed by weighty composition of Dikshitar, “Sri Ranganatham Upasmahe” in Poornachandrika set to Adi Talam. Following this was a composition of Sri Chitravina Ravikiran in the ragam Kanada, set to Adi Talam. The word play in this composition was quite impressive. I have always felt that Gambheeranatai is a bright ragam which uplifts the mood. This was evident in the next bright composition, “Ranganatham Manisham” of OVK. All the cheery members of Orchestra sang this composition with gusto.
The next. Ondru marandu ariyen.. in Madyamavati, from the Paasuram of Poigai Azhwar, set the mind to not loose track of Ranga bhakti and the importance of keeping a steady vision of the Lord, thus preparing the listeners for the next magnum opus of Thyagarja Swamy.
The epic composition O’Rangashayee was the highlight of the Orchestra. The very fact that the team presented this compositon with such Shruthi Shuddam and Tala shuddam shows the hard work and dedication to this project. Each and every sangati was clearly rendered with appropriate gamakas. Even though the members came from different parts of the country, the coordination and practice was very impressive. The team members, respective gurus of the participants, and the director, deserve our full appreciation.
A very attractive Staccato-style tillana in Katyayani set to Tishra Jumpa talam, followed this serene rendering.
Katyayani raga is a discovery of Guru Sri Ravikiran. Katyayani is a janyam of Vanaspati. The arohanam and the avarohanm of this raga, consists of four swarams, SMDS and SDMS. It was a lively rendering.

Then the team concluded the program with a tranquil rendering of Vedanta Desikan’s Paduka Sahasram.
The North American Voice Emsemble was clearly one of the best shows presented in the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana this year!