Devoid of theatrics, it was an evening of Carnatic, classical and folk music that enthralled the audience
T P Venu
A sea of red and yellow pervaded the amphitheatre at the Centre for Cultural Research & Training at Kondapur in Hyderabad on Saturday with 80-odd strong singing ensemble from the Swarnam School of Music in the age group of 3 to 60 plus paying tribute to revered composers through songs- a tribute to the rich cultural roots of Carnatic music in Sanskrit, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam and English to portray the diversity within South-Indian Classical Music.
Be it the Vakratunda Mahakaya a popular Ganesha mantra that invokes Lord Ganesha’s blessings or Garuda Gamana Tava a powerful Sri Maha Vishnu Stotram. A beautiful Shloka, written by Jagadguru Bharathi Theertha Swamiji, of Sringeri Mutt, 36th Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham whose kriti as a tribute to the greatness of Lord Maha Vishnu or the popular Tamil devotional song ‘Maidu Meikkum Kanne, Nee Poga Vendam Sonnen’ composed by Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi–A renowned 18th century classical Carnatic music composer in which a dialogue ensues between Yashoda and Krishna with the former asking the latter not to go out to play were rendered with utmost honesty.
The accompanying artists include Aparna on violin, Siddhesh on Flute, Sandeep Kumar on Ghatam, Aravind on Morsing, D Jayakumar Acharya on Tabla and K Veeraswamy on Mridangam. Sreeram Aditya lead vocalist of Hyderabad based Independent band Kalakaarii supported on the acapella arrangement and training.
The gathering close to 1200 at the amphitheatre soaked in the songs as the sun went down and the cool breeze wafted through the grass-laid banks of the venue to Varaveena is a popular Geetham in Sanskrit language in praise of Goddess Lakshmi and joined in with claps to Theertha Vittala which is a chant in the praise of Lord Panduranga Vittala.
Kids stand out
For the three to five-year-olds clad in vibrant red and yellow to sit for hours and keep up concentration whilst not missing a beat was the highlight of the evening. Buoyed by parents in the audience and claps by one and all, the tiny tots lived up to their promise much to the satisfaction of Dr Preethi Gopalan Deshmukh, Founder, Swarnam School of Music.
Zilla Parishad School students enthral
A special performance by students from Zilla Parishad Schools in Gachibowli and Film Nagar mesmerised the audience. Dr Preethi said, “SSM in association with Ishva Foundation is hoping to launch the ISHVA-SSM music scholarship, where 10 children will be selected and trained to appear at the university certificate grading exam.”
The costumes of Govt school children were stitched by women who were rescued from domestic violence and trained by Rotary club Sainikpuri. Another unique feature of the event was the artwork around the stage was done by SSM student Smriti.
Books launched
Two books Abhyasa and Sadhana, written by Dr. Preethi, hand drawing illustration by 14- year-old SSM student Smrithi Sriram Phaneswar and designed by Satvik was launched on the occasion.
A green event
Keeping in tune with nature and staying true to the title Samastha, the event included one and all and was a Green event in the truest sense. There was no waste generation, sambrani was used to wade off mosquitoes, the place was bereft of plastic bottles, and no wasteful printing and fabric banners were used.
Earlier in the evening, Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant – Padma Shri, National Sangeetha Natak Academi Awardee, Sundaresan Raghupathy is the Principal Adviser to CII, Rama Devi K; Social Entrepreneur & Change Maker and Founder President of ALEAP (Associate of Lady Entrepreneurs of India), Haimanti Paul Sarkar, Co- Founder and President, Ishva Foundation, Dr. Suvarna ChandrappaGari Chief Executive NFDB, V. Vikraman, IPS, Superintendent of Police, National Investigation Agency, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India and Sudarvizhi IPS, Superintendent of Police, National Investigation Agency, Ministry of Home Affairs .Govt. of India graced the occasion. Sarala madam as she is known, the senior most guru at Swarnam School of Music was also present. The event was compered by Mrs Sindhu.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr Preethi Gopalan Deshmukh thanked the sponsors RE Sustainability, South Central Railway, Indic International school, Punjab National Bank, Telangana State Pollution Control Board.
Samastha was presented by Swarnam School of Music and IndiGlobal Media Network.