In 2007, Darbar curated UK-based artists alongside India-based musicians. Dr. Jyotsna Srikanth, who was based in the UK then, performs with master mridangam player Neyveli Venkatesh from India. ‘Manasa Sancharare’ is her third item where RN Prakash adds another dimension to with the ghatam and khanjira.

Manasa Sancharare is set to Sama, a serene raga with slow movements. Dr. Srikanth plays a brief introduction; This is an evocative rendition and an apt piece wedged between a relatively faster number and the ragam tanam pallavi in her recital. She weaves soulful phrases around the song drawing out its devotional and compassionate emotions.

The song is a composition of Sri Sadasiva Brahmendra, a Carnatic mystique from the 18th century.

Known for an unobtrusive and highly melody-oriented accompaniment, Venkatesh and Prakash give wonderful support to this piece in Adi talam.

Venkatesh was born in a remote and non-descript, industrial town in southern India called Neyveli. But it was music that brought him out of its confines and made him a globe-trotting performer in all the five continents. He has learned mridangam from his father, A.S. Balaraman and then took advanced training from Ramanathapuram M.N. Kandaswamy and has gone on to become one of the finest mridangam players of India.

Born and trained in India, Prakash is now one of the leading UK-based Carnatic percussionists who also holds an important position as faculty in the London School of Carnatic Music.

Musicians:
Jyotsna Srikanth (violin)
Neyveli Venkatesh (mridangam)
RN Prakash (ghatam and khanjira)

Raag Sama, Composition by Sri Sadasiva Brahmendra (died in 1756) in Adi talam