The unique appeal of Carnatic group kutcheri-OxBig News Network

Kedaram celebrated its 10th anniversary with a series of music concerts. The inaugural performance was by a group of four up-and-coming musicians. One felt skeptical initially about the idea of bringing together a young team belonging to different schools. However, the quartet rose up to the challenge with their well-synchronised rendition.

Nandhita Kannan, Shakthi Muralidharan, Dhanush Anantharaman and Niranjan Dindodi ensured the basic structure of a classical concert was not compromised with. There was ample opportunity for each to showcase their individual manodharma and competence in alapanas and swaraprastaras.

Aptly commencing with ‘Guruleka eduvanti’ in Gowrimanohari (Khanda cChapu) by Tyagaraja, they took turns to render the kalpanaswaras. This was followed by the Kalyani alapana, led by Sakthi. The ensemble uniquely included the veena (played by C. Charulatha) instead of the usual violin accompaniment. It added to the melody. Her Kalyani raga essay was enjoyable. ‘Birana varalicci brovumu’ (Adi tala, tisra nadai), by Syama Sastri, was the chosen kriti. The musicians took turns to render niraval and swaras at ‘Puraani madhuravaani’.

Dikshitar’s rare composition, the sixth Guruguha Vibhakti kriti in Purvi raga, was a pleasure to listen to. It was followed by Papanasam Sivan’s bhakti-laden kriti in raga Marga Hindolam, ‘Thunai purintharul karunai madhava’.

The pièce de résistance of the concert was Tyagaraja’s masterpiece ‘O, rangasayi’ in Kamboji. The raga alapana, led by Nandita, was a nice blend of long and short phrases. Charulatha’s adherence to tradition came through in her response on the veena. She effectively conveyed the essence of the raga. The quartet’s synchronised rendition drew up picture of the Bhoolaka Vaikuntam — Srirangam. Each came up with their distinct approach to the niraval and swaras.

Aduthurai Guruprasad on the mridangam and Sriman Raghu Krishnan on the ghatam showed their command over laya during the thani.

After the Virutham, the group sang Sringeri Acharya Sri Bharati Thirtha Mahaswami’s ‘Bhajare lokagurum’ in Khamas. Thayumanavar’s ‘Angai lodumalar thoovi’ was rendered in ragas Chenjurutti and Nadanamakriya set to a rare Chanda tala. The concert concluded with Samartha Ramadasa’s Abhang.