Ragas of yore
LALITHAA KRISHNAN
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Pann and the corresponding Carnatic ragas are juxtaposed here.
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UNUSUAL: Present at the CD release are: (From right) S.A.K.Durga, Dr. Shantha, P.S.Narayanaswami, Uma Maheswari and Bhavatharini.
It has been a longstanding policy of Hamsadhwani to encourage the efforts of artistes who believe in giving back to society. This time it was P. Uma Maheshwari’s turn to do the organisers proud during the release function of her CD titled ‘Pannin Inmozhi Pasurangal.’
Nine pasurams
A lecturer at the Government Music College, Tiruvarur, Uma has selected nine pasurams from the Nalayira Divya Prabandham of the Azhwars, which contain references to Pann, the ragas of yore, and they have been set to tune by Bhavadharini Anantharaman, correlating different panns to the corresponding ragas as we know them today, to illustrate Uma’s doctoral thesis. For instance, Pura Neermai corresponds to Bhoopalam, Paalai to Harikhambodi and Kurinji to Kurinji. The compositions have been rendered by the two vocalists.
What set the occasion apart was Uma’s noble gesture in donating one lakh rupees to the Cancer Institute, Chennai, to mark the sale proceeds from the CD. Dr. V. Shantha, Chairperson of the Cancer Institute, presided over the felicitation, wherein the other speakers included T.R.Gopalan of Hamsadhwani, E. Thiruvalluvan, Deputy Director, Department of Arts and Culture, vidwan P.S.Narayanaswamy and musicologist S.A.K.Durga. The programme was ably compered by James Vasanthan.
Uma and her parents were lauded for their generosity in donating the amount even before the actual sale of the CD began. P.S.Narayanaswamy and S.A.K.Durga expressed appreciation for the manner in which the pieces had been tuned and rendered. The accompanying artistes, Karaikkal Venkat (violin), A.V.Manikandan (mridangam) and Ganapathi Subramaniam were also honoured.
In the vocal recital that followed, Uma’s mellifluous voice and Bhavadharini’s vibrant tone blended smoothly as they commenced with ‘Mannu perumpugazh’ in Bhoopalam, replete with touching passages. ‘Thaam tham perumai’ wafted the earthy fragrance of Kurinji as did ‘Pandavar’ which came later.
The stress on the word ‘panchamam’ in the lyric of ‘Pugalidam’ and a progression of poignant phrases made this piece in Ahiri a memorable one. The haunting refrain ‘Raghavane thaalelo’ in ‘Mannu pugazh’ (Nadanamakriya) stayed with you long after the last notes faded.
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