FROM THE ARCHIVES
Kamala's artistry
Kamala's extraordinary natya skill, artistry and grace were pervasive in her recital (at the Music Academy festival) with her sisters Radha and Vasanthi. The Atana Swarajathi danced by Radha gripped interest but the major event of the evening was the Dwadasaragamalika varnam of Ponniah Pillai presented for the first time by Kamala.
It was obvious it was the first time. Only Kamala's resourcefulness and intelligence made up for the music party's lack of precision and alignment in the all-important aruthis at the end of the jathis. However all this was forgotten when Kamala later scored with her expressiveness in "Kaa Vaa Vaa" and "Jaggadhodharana." The Brindavana Saranga Tillana (composed by Kamala) danced by Kamala and Radha was very bright. "Natanamadinar" danced by Kamala with extraordinary speed and verve concluded the recital on a splendid note.
It was not only the sincerity, gusto and narrative skill of T. S. Balakrishna Sastri that shone in the Kathakalakshepam of the Ramayana theme, "Vibishana Saranagadhi" but also his music. He rightly drew on his extensive Thiagaraja repertoire and frequently moved the audience as he did in "Nee Bhakti."
Mayuram S. Rajam's recital later was adventurous if not very efficient and offered spells of musical pleasure in Chandrajyoti ("Bhagayane"), Harikhambhoji ("Enthara") and in Mohanam in the ragamalika slokam.
(An extract from a review published in The Hindu on December 26, 1969)
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