Vocal Arangetram concert by Sathya Ramesh

[Sankeerthana]

The summer season in North America has become the Arangetram season for Music and Dance students. Arangetrams help a student to experience a full length concert and the rigorous preparation before the arangetram helps these students learn the intricacies of music.

I thought of writing a review about Sathya Ramesh’s arangetram that happened on August 28th, 2016 in the Bay area. She was accompanied by Smt. Sandhya Srinath on Violin and Shri Ramesh Srinivasan (her Father) on the Mridangam. Sathya is a student of Shri Paduka Academy, learning from teachers Shri Hari Devanath and Shri Vivek Sundararaman. She has also had opportunities to learn under her Paramaguru, the legendary musician, Sangeetha Rathnakara Shri Neyveli Santhanagopalan. (NSG)

Sathya Ramesh’s concert featured a set of brisk and interesting compositions.

1. It started with the Bhairavi Ata thala Varnam, Viriboni, which had a twist: the Pallavi and Anupallavi were sung in Misra Nadai (Adi talam) starting 8 matras off and the Mukthayi swaram in Kanda Nadai (Chatusra Jathi Ata thalam).
2. Next was Kamala Malarinai in Hamsadwani and set to Adi talam composed by Shri NSG. A short and sweet Kalpana swaram was presented as well.
3. This was followed by a song following the Sampradayam of Guru Vandanam after a Ganapathy song-- Sadguru Swamiki in Reethigowlai a Poochi Srinivasa iyengar Composition.
4. This was then followed by the sub main song Ninne Nera Namminanura in Pantuvarali, a Thyagaraja Krithi giving good contrast to the Reethigowlai sung previously. Sathya handled the Pantuvarali crisply and her Neraval and Kalpana Swaram were impressive.
5. Chaala-kallalaadu in Arabhi was rendered in brisk tempo. This is a rare composition.
6. In the next piece, Sathya proved her performing skills through Shankarabharanam ragam and the song Endukupeddala. Nereval and Swaram in 'Veda Sastra purana' were presented with a beautiful korappu and korvai. She handled the Thani very easily as she herself is a Mridangist.
7. A beautiful and refreshing RTP was presented in the ragam Varamu and Khanda jathi triputa thalam. The words were “Varamu pada Varamarula Vara vendume Varashiki Vahanane Varadane”. Sathya presented her Pallavi very well.
8. Sathya maintained her enthusiasm to complete the line of thukkdas: Anbenum pidiyul in Kalayana vasantham, a Thiruvarutpa tuned by Shri NSG, was followed by the javali Marubari Thalalenura and a Bindumalini Thillana composed by Shri NSG. This was then followed by the classical tradition of Thirupugazh and Mangalam.

Sathya proved her skills and hardwork through her presentation. Smt. Sandhya, a top grade violinist provided excellent support to Sathya. Shri Ramesh Srinivasan made the concert lively through his rich Sarvalaghu Sollus.

Sangeetha Rathnakara Shri Neyveli Santhanagopalan presided over this magnificent concert. Neyveli Sir always involves himself with the performers on the stage and keeps notes of all the best features and summarizes it with his creative and witty talk. Neyveli Sir also appreciated her Gurus Shri Hari and Shri Vivek pointing out the dedication that had gone behind this well planned presentation. Dr (Mrs) Jayanti S .Ravi, IAS Principal Secretary and Commissioner, Rural Development Department, Government of Gujarat. was the Guest of Honor and the keynote speaker. She spoke about the value of education and arts and how important it is for people of all ages.

The concert was quite inspiring for students. A very well organized and well attended arangetram concert indeed.