A Grand Veena-Venu duet by Vidwan D.Balakrishna & Vidwan V.Vamshidhar

Vidwan D.Balakrishna is son and disciple of Sangitha Kalanidhi Sri.Doreswamy Iyengar. Imbibing the chaste traditional style from his father, he embellishes his concerts with new innovation and style. Teaming up with his nephew Vidwan Vamshidhar (grandson of Flute Desikachar), Balakrishna provides a delightful cocktail of melody and classicism in the unique Veena – Venu concert format.

Concert Review

Soothing Veena-Venu by Bali-Vamshi at Nadasurabhi.

Instrumental Carnatic music, it is claimed, has such calming effect on human nerves, that it even has therapeutic value. The justification was evident when we listened to the Veena Venu duet concert of Vidwan D.Balakrishna and Vidwan V.Vamshidhar at the Nadasurabhi monthly programme held on the 19th of July. The perfectly sruti aligned flute and veena gave a highlysoothing feeling to the rasikas, who had assembled in good numbers at the Indian Heritage Academy Hall.

Starting off with popular 'Vallabha Nayakasya' in Begada, the artists elaborated on ragas Bilahari and Madhyamavati. The characteristic "catches" of the ragas were sharply brought out, to the delight of the audience. The main piece was a Ragam Thanam Pallavi in Kalyani with a ragamalika in the Thanam. The artists embellished each others' performance in a very coordinated manner.

The president Sri.DS Gopinath, requested the audience to rise for a minute's silence as a mark of respect to the doyenne of Carnatic Music Sangeetha Kalanidhi DK Pattammal, who passed away a few days back. Also, as a tribute to the great artist, the concert included her favourite number "Naanoru Vilayattu Bommaya".

Accompaniments were Vidwan Jayachandra Rao on mridangam and Vidwan Omkar Rao on Ghatam. Both of them gave an understanding support to the main artists.