A delightful treat for every music enthusiast

Vocalist Mohan Santhanam, who gave an engaging vocal recital for Bharath Kalachar, has been trained in the school of Mudikondan Venkatarama Iyer. With his assertive kriti rendition, energetic improvisation of niraval lines, he  produced an impressive account of his artistry.He began his recital with a Pada Varnam of Lalgudi Jayaraman in Raga Charukesi and followed it up with Sadasiva Kumara which is on Lord Vinayaga.A detailed alapana of Raga Lalitha and rendition of Hiranmayim Lakshmi of Dikshitar illustrated his skill of being able to dwell on the scalar details of this fascinating Raga. The Chalanatai alapana followed by Kotiswara Iyer’s Edayya gati with ample swaras at Boodala Chalanattai and the Kuraippu swaras followed by a korvai which blended well with the sahityam, were exemplary. The development of Pallavi (Krishna – Mukunda – Giridhara), set to Kanda jathi, Thripuda Thalam, (Thisra gathi with eduppu at Samam) was dainty, with a fair focus on the details of its distinctive shapeliness. The niraval in two speeds followed by Raga Maliga Swaras with Keezh kala Anuloma in Raga Reethi Gowla, Chathusra Anuloma in Raga Janaranjini, Mel Kala Anuloma in Raga Revathi and the swara in the reverse order for an avarthanam, ended with an Korvai at Raga Mohanam. It revealed the strength of his Laya Gnana and experience in arranging them eloquently. Mysore Srikanth’s violin recital of all the Ragas were pleasant and his skillful display evoked appreciation, while R Ramesh’s mridangam and Sree Sundar Kumar’s kanjira provided a spirited percussion support.