Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Kids sparkle in Hindustani fare
Madhushri performs at the Gurupoornima 2004 at the Avishkar auditorium, Kochi.
THE ONE-day Hindustani music treat presented recently by Avishkar, Kottaram Sankunni Nair Smaraka Kala Kendram, Kochi, in co-ordination with Pandit Mothiram Narayan Sangeeth Vidyalay, Thiruvannanthapuram, at the Avishkar auditorium exploded the myth that the younger generation, lured by the nerve-rattling noisy gimmicks, is shying away from pure classical music. The programmes, organised to celebrate Gurupoornima 2004, were inaugurated in the morning by Pt. Ramesh Narayan, the torch bearer of the Mewati Gharana in Kerala. After performing `gurupooja' invoking the blessings of Pt. Jasraj, his guru, Ramesh Narayan observed that the focus of music is `sadhana' and not entertainment. In the morning and evening sessions, Ramesh Narayan and his chain of disciples presented a variety of concerts. There were vocal concerts, solo tabala concerts and bhajans.
The limelight was the sparkling performances of a few kids, which clearly herald a bright future for classical music. The performances of Ramesh Narayan's five- year-old daughter Madhusri, his 10-year-old daughter Madhuvanti and 7-year-old Lakshmi Pradeep far exceeded the expectations of listeners. They are all in a play school mood. But on the stage, they approached each raga with the seriousness of a mature performer. Incidentally, Ramesh Narayan's two daughters are given the names of two Hindustani ragas. One has heard about children born with a silver spoon in their mouths. Here we find kids born with `saptha swaras' in their minds and throats.
Apart from Ramesh Narayan, four of his senior disciples, his wife Hemawathi Narayan, Mohan Kumar who teaches Hindustani music at Avishkar School, Wazeem Raja and well-known playback singer Gayatri Ashokan presented vocal concerts. There were also vocal concerts and bhajans by groups of students learning Hindustani music at Avishkar. The team led by Dr. Nandini Nair focused on `Durga' and the boys led by Anoop Jalal presented Bilaval and Khamaj. Sowmya-Ramya team presented Hindustani bhajans.
Gayatri was all seriousness when she presented a Bilahkani Thodi bandish and a Bangali poem by Khazi Nazrul Islam. Mohan Kumar delved deep into Sudha Saranga and Yaman. Beginning with raga Jog, Hema Narayan came out with a delightful presentation of `Megh'. Engineering student Wazeem Raja impressed listeners by grabbing the full range of `Yaman'. Ragas chosen by Madhuvanti Narayan were Pooriya Dhanasi, Shanjaram and Yaman.
In the morning session, Ramesh Narayan explored the ranges of Ahir Bhairav and Yaman along with his disciples. In the evening session, the main raga chosen was Behag.
Satheesh Babu, a disciple of Allah Rakha Khan and Renjith Kumar, presented tabla solo concerts. Mohan Kumar, Praksh Gopal and Jithesh played the harmonium for various programmes.
M. K. BALAGOPAL
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
