INDIAN FINE ARTS SOCIETY
Varali comes with all its charm
G. SWAMINATHAN
|
The veena recital of Jeyaraaj Krishnan and Jayasri Jeyaraaj was completely classical.
|
Photo: K. N. Muralidharan.
FOR THE CONNOISSEUR: Jeyaraaj Krishnan and Jayasri Jeyaraaj Krishnan.
When veena concerts are on the wane, it was heartening to find the couple Jeyaraaj Krishnan and Jayasri Jeyaraaj Krishnan present a recital and their stern adherence to traditional `gamaka' style was indeed moving. Their veenas looked rather modern but not their performance. The one-and-a-half hour concert had been meticulously designed without any fashionable components.
A Saveri varnam, with enough azhutham, set their concert on the expectations of a connoisseur for a completely classical programme that was not belied.
The fast `Maha Ganapathim' in Nattai with a swift passage of kalpanaswara was followed by the famous `Akilandeswari' in Dvijavanthi.
The Varali raga exposition (by Jayasri) with all its charm and a touch of melancholy became a worthy preface to the Dikshitar composition, `Maamava Meenakshi.'
The sahitya bhava and raga bhava could be felt in succession when the duo pitched on the niraval and swaras at `Syame Sankari' with several rounds of soul-stirring sangatis and perfectly set combinations of swaras.
After a spirited tani avartanam by Thanjavur S. Subramaniam and H. Sivaramkrishnan on the mridangam and the ghatam, it was Jeyaraaj's turn to elucidate Kharaharapriya. The ragam was followed by tanam in a brief ragamalika (Sahana, Bilahari and Behag) by both.
Tyagaraja's `Rama Nee Samanamevaru' occupied the main slot with just swaras at `Paluku Paluku Lakuthene.'
Time became a constraint and the duo had to conclude the concert with the tillana in Bageshri composed by veteran Chengalpattu Ranganathan.
Veena playing is delicate and difficult and only a few have been able to master the instrument and perform on stage. The Jeyaraajs have learnt, nurtured and retained their traditional learning and performing skills with great commitment. Encouraging musicians such as Jeyaraj and Jayasri will go a long way in nurturing the art.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Music Season
