Jayaprada Ramamurthy pays musical tribute to Mahalingam

Kalasagaram featured Kalaratna Jayaprada Ramamurthy as part of T. R. Mahalingam Centenary celebrations. Vidushi Jayaprada is a renowned flautist of international repute. Daughter of renowned Vocalist Smt Prema Ramamurthy, Jayaprada is a disciple of  Sangitha Kalanidhi Vid N.Ramani.

Jayaprada began her concert with 'Sarasijanabha', the Ata tala Varnam in Kambhoji ragam which she played efforlessly. Next came 'Varavallabha Ramana' , a composition of the legendary Vidwan GNB in raga Hamsadhwani. The krithi was beautifully rendered and the Svara patterns merged seemlessly with pallavi. She chose Devadeva Kaayamithe in raga Mayamalavagowla as the next item. Her elaborate neraval at 'Jatharoopa nibha chela' followed by Svaraklapana was scholarly.

The brief ragalapana followed by 'Chinnanade' in Kalanidhi was lovely.

The next piece was Muthuswami  Dikshitar's 'Kamalambam bhajare' in Kalyani ragam. Jayaprada's raga dilenation  was skillful  and  replete with raga bhava. The Krithi presentation was majestic and the Svarakalpana diplayed her command over the instrument. The svaraklapana patterns were intricate and reflected her grip over Laya.

The central piece was an RTP in the raga Simhendramadhyam set to 'Trisra jathi Jhampe talam '. Jayaprada rendered the ragam in its entirety. The tanam was played predominantly on the base flute which was experimental yet beautiful. The pallavi composed by her Guru was rendered efforlesslessly. Pavan Singh on the Violin rose to the occasion and matched Jayaprada in all his raga explorations. RSR Srikanth on the mridangam elevated the concert by his soft and subtle style of accompaniment. The tani avartanam was well executed along with P.S.Mallijarjun on the ghatam.

Jayaprada chose some of the compostions popularised by the legendary T.R.Mahalingam, towards the end of ghe concert. The 'Magudi' was a fitting tribute to the legend. She concluded the concert with Purandara Dasa's ' Bhagyada Lakshmi baramma'.

Kalasagram is featuring Vidwan B..Vijagopal and team on Saturday. The grand finale by Vid J.B.Shruthi Sagar and team will be performing at Aparna Sarovar Zenith, Nallagandla on Sunday.

-Sandhya Sree