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Dr.Jayanthi Kumaresh- Veena on 21st August 2011

Dr.Jayanthi Kumaresh- Veena on 21st August 2011
When:
21.08.11 04.15 pm
Where:
The Indian Heritage Academy Hall - 6th Block, Koramangala,BangaloreMap

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Description

Kalaimamani Dr.Jayanthi Kumaresh    Veena 
Vidwan Tumkur B.Ravishankar  Mridangam
Vidwan Guruprasanna Khanjira

 

Dr.Jayanthi is a disciple of Smt.Padmavathy Ananathagopalan and Veena Maestro Dr.S.Balachander. Also, her maternal uncle, the Violin Legend Lalgudi Sri. Jayaraman is a great influence and inspiration for her. It is therefore hardly surprising that Jayanthi is rated "The best and most versatile Veena artiste we have today.(Statesman)". Jayanthi started playing the Veena when she was barely 3. Winning her way through several laurels and awards right from her childhood, Jayanthi was soon one of the youngest artistes in Veena to receive A-TOP grading from AIR. She has won the prestigious Kalaimamani Award from the Govt. of Tamil Nadu. She has also been awarded a Doctorate in Music by the University of Mysore.

The uniqueness and universality of Carnatic Music is being demonstrated by Dr.Jayanthi through her various pioneering efforts in the field. She recently came out with an album called 'Mysterious Duality' in which for the first time one artiste and one instrument have created an orchestral effect. This album focuses on the multi-dimensional persona of the self. She has also released several CDs on similar special themes under all the leading music companies. She has performed extensively in India and many countries in Europe, USA and the Gulf.

Apart from solo performances, Jayanthi has performed several jugalbandhis and has also collaborated with musicians from other types of music in her own World music band called Indian Spice. As a composer, Jayanthi has scored music for a host of dance productions and musicals that have premiered in India and abroad, including Krishna Bhakthi, Abbakarani and Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya. She has also composed for the National South Asian Youth orchestra of the UK.

Among several other achievements, it is worth mentioning her recent putting together of the India National Orchestra consisting of 22 artists of both Carnatic and Hindustani styles. Jayanthi also writes English Poetry.

Full Concert Review

Veena plays to Jayanthi's tune.

Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh displayed her supreme command over this difficult instrument during her concert held on the 21st of August 2011 . To say that it was a flawless veena concert will be a gross understatement. Seeing the ease and confidence with which Jayanthi plays the instrument, anyone will be convinced that there is no scope for the minutest error to creep into the melodious flow of music. The sweetness of the presentation combined with the extraordinary technical virtuosity of the artist, produced one of the most memorable musical moments for the discerning music rasikas who had assembled for the concert.

Dr.Jayanthi commenced her recital with Gajananayutham in raga Chakravakam, a composition of Muthuswami Dikshitar. The second piece was a Thyagaraja Kriti Bhavanutha in Mohanam. Being the Gokulashtami Day Jayanthi dedicated almost the entire rest of the concert to compositions on Lord Krishna. After a Khamas alapana, Santhanagopalakrishna of Dikshitar was presented bringing out the beauty of the raga.  There was also Kalpanaswara for all the three opening songs. After a brief alapana on the touching raga Chandrajyothi, the popular Bhagaayanayya of Thyagaraja was played.

In the next item, the mood of Bhairavi was brought out in the ragam as well as the presentation of the landmark krithi of Muthuswami Dikshitar, Balagopala. After consulting the audience, Jayanthi chose the filler from one of the popular Oothukkadu Venkatakavi compositions. The winner was Paal vadiyum muham in Natakurunji. The Main was a Ragam Thanam Pallavi in Kalyani raga. The pallavi line was Srihari, Narahari, Murahari, Krishnahari, Sachidanandahari. Swarams included a ragamalika  comprising Bouli, Anandabhairavi and Valaji. All aspects were rendered crisply keeping the tempo and interest of the audience and there was never a sagging moment.

Thukkadas included Baarokrishniah, a lovely ragamalika by Kanakadasa and the Kapi raga number, Enna Tavam seythanai, Yasodha. Jayanthi's own composition, a thillana in raga Varamu was the concluding piece before Mangalam.

It can be confidently said that Dr.Jayanthi Kumaresh is among the very best Veena artists today. Accompanying Dr.Jayanthi were Tumkur Ravishankar on Mridangam and Guruprasanna on Khanjira. They gave enthusiastic and understanding support to the main artist. Also, their thani avarthanam was remarkably good.