Despite the torrential rains in Sydney on the weekend of the 9 and 10 June, Carnatic Music fans flocked in extraordinary numbers to the University of Western Sydney Campus to listen to a galaxy of top notch artists from India, in an ambitious Festival organized by Swara Laya Fine Arts Society, sponsored by Jaya TV, RMKV Silks and several local businesses.
Among them the star attraction was Padma Bhushan and recipient of the latest Sangeeta Kalanidhi title from Music Academy of Chennai, Madurai T.N. Seshagopalan whose presence elevated the Festival to a high pedestal. Other celebrities included Bombay Jayashri, Kadri Gopalnath, A. Kanya Kumari, Priya Sisters, Carnatica Brothers - KN Shashikiran and Ganesh, O.S. Arun and the well known dancer Swarnamalya. The violin accompaniment by reputed Indian artists HN Bhaskar, Raghavendra Rao and A. Kanyakumari added lustre whilst the percussionists were equally reputed artists - J Vaidyanathan and Murugabhoopathy on Mridangam and SV Ramani on the Ghatam.
Children’s competitions held during the week were judged by Kadri Gopalnath and A. Kanyakumari who unearthed immense budding talent in local children, two of whom are Abhirami Kannan, Hari Mohan and Nithya Ramesh who earned the first prizes in the Senior Students category.
People Behind the Scenes:The pre-dominant success of Swara Layas’ efforts lies in its ability of having brought different groups and communities together, establishing the much needed cohesion for a mega event such as this. Mr Jeyendran says that he is thankful for the assistance of many volunteers who helped from hosting visiting artists, driving them around to making various arrangements, from manning doors to organization of food, and arranging lecture demonstrations and lessons, every little bit helped.
The festivities commenced with Saint Thyagaraja‘s 'Pancharatna Kritis' sung in a chorus by all the invited artistes and Sydney’s own elite performers. It was wonderful to see the crowded stage with 22 vocalists, five violinists and seven percussion players, each of them enthusiastic in their participation. Local musicians then took the stage and made their mark. Some of them however a little too enthusiastically. "I am very disappointed that the time allocated to the local artists was not followed by them, so that the concerts for the rest of the day were delayed" says Mr Jeyendran, the soft spoken organizer of this event. A difficult balance indeed for an organizer.
Manimaran , the melodious new entrant, a media and telecommunications graduate, commenced the afternoon session on Saturday. This young performer kicked off and set the tone for the evening with a crisp 'Ninne Nammi Nanuraa' in Pantuvarali. He was impressive and is sure to find his way back to Sydney for a full concert in the future.
Kadri Gopalnath, after his dynamic duo with Kanyakumarii, followed up with a brilliant performance on the Saxophone - a Western instrument that has been specially adapted and modified to deliver all the nuances of Carnatic Music. He had the company of Kanyakumari on violin, Murugabhoopathy on Mridangam and SV Ramani on the Ghatam who matched Kadri’s undisputed genius blow for blow. ‘Bhaja Manasa’ in Bahudari ragam and ‘Mokshamu Galadha’ in Saramati stood out amongst several items which was almost like a pyrotechnics display for the benefit of the audience.
Priya Sisters steal hearts! The penultimate music performance for the evening was given by Priya Sisters - Hari Priya and Shanmukhapriya. They gave a high quality concert whilst nurturing the traditional approach. Their 'Ardhanariswaram' in Kumudakriya ragam was a rare and detailed exposition of an 'apoorva ragam'. Todi ragam and 'Aemi Jesithe' in praise of Lord Rama was a classic.
It was left to the giant among the performers, Madurai TN Seshagopalan, to be the crowning glory in the concluding performance. Perhaps it’s the colder climate that he seemed to go off shruti at times. However he delighted the audience with his ‘Brindavana Saranga’ as he gave the raga several unique touches and drew repeated applause.
Swara Laya Organizers felicitated Seshagopalan on his significant achievement and contribution to Carnatic Music. Several speakers paid him tributes and there was no doubt he was doyen of the Festival. Tributes were also paid to Abhayakaram Sri Sivanandam, who was handsomely complimented for his lifetime service to Carnatic Music.
The Festival continued on Sunday, 10th June. The opening concert was a violin solo, given by A. Kanyakumari with Raghavendra Rao accompanying her on violin. She enthralled the audience with her mastery. It appeared she could make her violin talk with ease, demonstrating her bow control and delivery of every gamaka. Her Ragam, Thanam Pallavi was in dual ragas - 'Karna Ranjani' and 'Revati', a unique trip into the exotic for the audience.
Carnatica Brothers, Shashi Kiran and Ganesh, their two magnificent male voices in chorus is always attractive in a large auditorium as it resonated with the notes of Ragam Shanmughapriya, one witnessed their talents and prowess distinguish itself during the rendering of the Keerthanam ‘Parvathi Nayakane Sharanam' set to Adhi Thalam. In order to reach the younger audience, Shashikiran quizzed through the concert seeking names of composers, ragams from them promising a CD in return. They were ably accompanied by L Vaidyanathan on the mridangam, and HN Bhaskar on the violin.
What followed Carnatica Bros was perhaps a storm of emotive drama encapsuled in Carnatic Music. Is that possible? Only by O S Arun.The pathos in Ragam Abhogi was rendered with such energy that it pulsated through the audience. With every cell in mind, body and spirit his out pouring performance was a welcome change.
OS Arun saying that 'thukaddas' are as classical as you can get then launched into a Thukaram composition, a Marati Abhang 'Theertha vittala Kshetra vittala' which stole the hearts of many.
A Jayadeva’s composition rendered like a fast rap number was perhaps the most controversial of pieces performed by Shri OS Arun, establishing one thing you either love or dislike him. He was accompanied by young Shri Kishan Jeyendran on Tabla, Shri Muruga Bhoopathi on Mridangam, and the tirelessly talented Raghavendra Rao on the violin, S V Ramani on Ghatam
