M.S.Sheela

The July concert was a truely classical presentation of Carnatic tradition with finesse. Smt. M.S.Sheela was at her very best form. There were two parts in the concert. First was the rendering of Shyamasastri's three Swarajithi s by Vidhushi Sheela and her Nadasurabhi disciples. It was a well rehearsed rendering with perfect coordination between the Guru and her disciples. The Guru had succeeded in making each one of the disciples understand the exquisite nuances of these compositions- namely Raave in Todi, Kamakshi in Yadukulakambhodhi, and most beautiful among them- Amba Kamakshi in Bhairavi.

The second portion was the main recital in memory of Vidwan Dr. R.K.Srikantan. It was most appropriate as Vidhushi M.S.Sheela is his prime disciple.

She began the concert with a lesser known varnam in raga Darbar sung in two kalams. A short but sweet alapana of Nagaswarali followed by Sri Sankaraguruvaram a composition of Mahavaidyanathasivan set pace well. Ambapahi a composition of Muthaiabhagavathar in the raga Keeravani was good.

A detailed alapana of Hamsavinodhini (janya raga of Sankarabharanam- omitting Pa in both arohanam and avarohanam) was rendered well giving good picture of the raga.

The composition Saraswathy of Jayachamarajawodayar in this raga was a beautiful one. Niraval and swarams in this showed her capacity to handle lesser known ragas well.

A brisk rendering of Pattividuvaradha in Manjari (Thyagaraja) and Bhogindrasayinam in Kuntalavarali ( Swatitirunal) set the pace for the main piece of the concert.

A detailed and nuances filled alapana of Todi was followed by Thyagaraja's " Chesinathella" and was rendered well. Niraval and Swarams showed her mastery of rhythm without making it too percussive.

An interesting and melodious 'thukkadas' comprising of a composition of Purandaradasa in Mohanam, a Jayadeva 's Ashtapathi in Hamsanandhi, Sadasivabrhamendrar's in Yamunakalyani, a Purandaradasa's in Brindavanasaranga brought the concert to end- a melodious and memorable one.

The concert experience was greatly enhanced by the understanding support provided by the seasoned artists Smt. Nalina Mohan on violin, Sri. H.S. Sudhindra on mridangam and Sri.M. Gururaj on morsing.

List of Songs:

01. chalamEla (varNam) – darbAr – Thiruvottiyur Thyagayya

02. SrI Sankara guruvaram – nAgasvarALi – Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer ( A,S )

03. amba vANi nannu – kIravANi – Muthaiah Bhagavathar ( N,S )

neraval & swara @ ‘varavInApANi vAgvilAsini’

04. sarasvatim bhagavatim nmAmyaham – hamsavinOdini – Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar ( A )

05. patti viDuva rAdu – manjari – Thyagaraja

06. bhOgIndra SAyinam – kuntaLavarALi – Swathi Thirunal

07. cEsinADella marachitivO – thODi – Thyagaraja ( A,N,S,T )

neraval & swara @ ‘ AsakonnaTTi nannala pincuTaku mundu‘

08. SLOkam ( ayi murali mukunda smera vaktra aravinda ) – mOhanam

antarangadalli hariya kANadava – mOhanam – Purandaradasa

09. nindAti chandanam indu kiraNam – hamsAnandi – Jayadeva ( A )

10. pibarE rAmarasam – yamunA kalyANi – Sadashiva Brahmendra ( O )

11. krishNanA koLalinA karE – sindhubhairavi – P T Narasimhachar ( short sketch)

12. Tatta tadhimi tadhimiki enata hari adinane – madhyamAvati ? – Purandara Dasa

13. mangaLam – saurAshtram – saurAshtram & madhyamAvati – Thyagaraja