Homage to stalwarts
B. RAMADEVI
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Bombay Jayashri Ramnath and T.M.Krishna launched their book, `Voices Within,' in Coimbatore.
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PHOTO: K. ANANTHAN
TRIBUTE: T.M.Krishna and Bombay Jayashri Ramnath.
The ambience was just right for the occasion. The simple and elegant backdrop, mildly lit stage, hushed silence, a full hall and an eager audience. When Bombay Jayashri Ramnath and T.M.Krishna appeared on the stage at Nani Palkhiwala Auditorium, Coimbatore, with folded hands, the applause was spontaneous. And, why not?
They had come for the launch of their book, `Voices Within' in Coimbatore, under the auspices of Rajalakshmi Fine Arts. The book has already been released in Chennai, Bangalore and New Delhi. Published by `Matrka' (Mother of all creation), jointly set up by Bombay Jayashri Ramnath and T.M.Krishna, this book salutes seven stalwarts (Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, T.R.Mahalingam, G.N.Balasubramaniam, T.N.Rajarathnam Pillai, M.S.Subbulakshmi and Palghat Mani Iyer).
The programme included reading excerpts from the book and the screening of Rajiv Menon's short film, `Shadows on the wall and Voices within.'
Most popular songs
The highlight of the evening was a concert rendered by Krishna and Jayashri, comprising the most popular songs of the great masters. They began with `Vanajakshi,' the varnam in Kalyani presenting it in Ariyakkudi style.
`Deva Deva Kalayaami' was cushioned between a picture perfect alapana of Mayamalava Gowla (`Krishna') and a showering rain of swaras, reminding one of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer's element of pageantry.
By way of paying homage to Flute Mali, they sang `Sujana Jeevanaa' in Khamas. `Ragasudhaa Rasa' (Andholika-Tyagaraja), `Ninne Namminaanu, Sadha' (Thodi-Syama Sastri), and `Rangapura Vihaaraa' (Brindavana Saranga-Dikshitar) were sung in memory of GNB, T.N.Rajarathnam Pillai and M.S.Subbulakshmi. The alapana of Thodi, equally shared by Jayashri and Krishna with sizzling brigas and cascading swaras created a new interest in listening to the great masters.
Poongulam Subramaniam (mridangam) and B.S. Purushothaman (kanjira) presented an inspired thani. `Maithreem Bhajatha' (Kanchi Paramacharya) brought the programme to a close on a positive, hopeful note.
It should have been a mammoth effort on the part of these two musicians to find the time to come together and practise in the styles of different musicians. They willingly concealed their individual styles and just acted as the torch-bearers of the great masters with the sole purpose of showcasing their greatness to the present generation. The huge crowd exhibited discipline in tune with the sacredness of the occasion. It was an evening that people would love to cherish.
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