The menacing clouds of the storm parted, as the curtains went up, to reveal the beings of light. A dancing Krishna emerged, celebrating his favourite Margazhi in the joyous jantai’s of Arabhi and the jathis and swarams and words of Purandaradasa. Aadidano Ranga! That burst of swarams to Mudaati Shri Krishnana! Ranjani-Gayatri, what a start to the music season!
The rising sun with its soft rays, the calm beyond all storms, an envelope of evocative Bowli that had us marvelling at the piercing beauty of each note. Melukovayya. Stirring.
Ranjani ma’am then treated us to a beautiful alapana of Shuddha Dhanyasi. The contrasts the plain notes and the gamakas create! Five become Infinite! With chiselled phrases and poised long notes, the different hues were brought out. After a lovely and melodious alapana by Vid L Ramakrishnan was presented Dikshitar’s masterpiece, Subrahmanyena Rakshitoham with fiery swarams poured at the gripping madhyama kala sahityam.
Notes on Ra-Ga 