GOOD RANGE Well contoured sancharas
Roopa Srikanth’s vocal recital, accompanied by B.K. Raghu (violin), Anoor R. Dattatreya Sharma (mridanga), S. Srishylan (ghata) and B.S. Arun (morsing), was part of the Tenth Anniversary Celebrations of the Suswaralaya College of Music.
The choice and presentation of the initial three items of the concert established the vocalist’s predominantly classical orientation, augmented by a heavy, yet pliable voice. The adi thala varna in Saveri, “Sarasuda”, was succeeded by Thyagaraja’s “Sree Ganapthini” in Sourashtram, which was adorned with kalpana swaras in two speeds at the charanam line “Panasa Narikeladi”. A slow, meandering alapana of Yadukula Kamboji prefaced a polished presentation of Shyama Shastri’s magnificent swarajathi “Kamakshi” in mishra chapu thala, while a complete contrast of mood was ushered in by the effervescent tempo and rolling sangathis of “Kalyanarama” in Hamsanadam and the ensuing kalpana swaras.
Swati Thirunal’s “Paramapurusha” in Vasantha raga, which included a neraval and kalpana swaras at the pallavi sahithya, was prelude to a meticulous alapana of the main raga, Bhairavi. The well contoured sancharas ranged from the mandra sthayi panchama to the tara sthayi panchama with significant rests at all the pivotal notes. Dikshithar’s “Balagopala” in adi tala was sung with due consideration to the gravity of both sahithya and musical structure. Kalpana swaras at the anupallavi line “Neela Neerada Shareera” included a sprinkling of rhythmic combinations, underscored by brilliant support from the accompanists, and leading to a masterful tani avartana. However, the complete absence of a neraval did prevent the exercise from attaining a greater level of fulfilment and enrichment.

MADHAVI RAMKUMAR
The Hindu
Bangalore Edition - Dt: 06-11-09