KUM. CHARULATHA IN VEENOTSAV -26/8/18

[CRama]

The tenth edition of Veenotsav organized by Mudhra was inaugurated in Infosys Hall, Ramakrishna Mission School, Bazulla Road on 26 August 2018 at 6 P.M by the Chief Guest Chitravina Narasimhan sir and the Vainika Mudhra Award instituted in memory of Gottuvadyam Narayana Iyengar was presented to the Veena couple Guru Jayaraj Krishnan and Jayasree Jayaraj. Prior to the award function, Kum. Charulatha, the young vainika presented a very impressive Veena recital for one and half hours.

Charulatha, who is aged 13 and studying in seventh class impressed the whole lot of vidwans and vidushis with her vidwat laden performance belying her age. It requires lot of confidence to carry on the concert in front of many outstanding vidwans like the Veena couple, Chitravina Narasimhan, B.Kannan, Mudicondan Ramesh and many other vidwans and vidushis. Kum. Charulatha is the grand daughter of Guru cum Vainika Dr. R.S.Jayalakshmi and her father Mr. Chandrasekharan himself is an accomplished Veena vidwan, though not active in the concert field. Charulatha – precocious and immensely talented girl- has been learning from her grand mother since the age of six and her assiduous practice and jnanam is amply revealed in her playing. The nadam and amplification is fine and her manodharmam is great for her age and she plays with the maturity and confidence that can be associated with twenty years of concert experience.

The list of songs.
• Varnam
• Saraseeruhasanapriye- Nata (S)
• Telisirama- Poornachandrika
• Vazhi maraithirukkude-Natakurinji- (R,S)
• Yochana- Durbar
• Ethavunera- Kalyani (R,T, N,S)
• Thani
• Alai payude-Kanada
• Thillana- Khamas

The alapanas of Natakurinji and Kalyani were wholesome featuring the characteristic pidis of the ragam. For the main song, there was the Ghana ragamalika tanam which added colour to the presentation. There was neraval in the lines Seetha Gowri and topped with interesting swaram. She followed the gayaki style and it is amazing that in this young age, she is able to bring out the sahithyam of the songs vividly in her playing. Wishing a bright future for the young vidushi.

Tillaisthanam Suryanarayanan on the Mridangam and Tiruvarur Venkatesh on the Ghatam provided commendable support.

Dr. Nalli Kuppuswami Chettair, the President of Mudhra could not be present due to some other commitments. Chitravina Narasimhan Sir presented the couple with Vainika Mudhra Award which included a cash award of Rs 25000. Mudikondan Ramesh- Veena Vidwan felicitated the awardees.

The other veena concerts will be held in the Mudhra’s studio till 30 Aug and will be webcast through paalamtv on the same day.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Congratulations and Best wishes to Charulatha.
No doubt she will blossom into a consummate Vainika under the perfect guidance of her grandmother Smt. RS Jayalaksmi.

[nadhasudha]

Thanks CRama for the detailed review. Was this concert recorded?

[CRama]

This concert was webcast simultaneously. May be rewebcast in paalam later.

[nadhasudha]

This concert was webcast simultaneously. May be rewebcast in paalam later.

For those who might want to listen, the concert is now available on you tube. Link Below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVcJug0o9LY