Dr. Srikanth is deft in both the Carnatic and Western forms and well-known for her ability to bridge the two genres elegantly. Her intense melodic improvisations coupled with succinct sense of rhythms makes her one of the most brilliant violinists of her generation. With the extraordinarily warm tone of her violin, she begins her recital with a lively, short ‘varnam’ set to Raag Mohanam in Adi talam.

The second piece, ‘Manasa Sancharare’ is a composition by Mutthiah Bhagavatar in Raag Amritavarshini set to Rupak talam. Like the Hindustani ‘Miyan ki Mallhar’, this Carnatic melody is a rain raga, she explains.

Her third piece in Raag Sama is a slow and melodious piece composed by Sri Sadasiva Brahmendra (18th century mystique) in Adi talam. Dr.

For the fourth piece, she chooses ‘Raghuvamsasudhambudhi’ in Kathanakuthuhalam, a popular Patnam Subramania Iyer composition. Within the convoluted structure of this raga, she creates a colourful terrain with refreshing melodic improvisations and harmony.

The ensemble shines throughout the ragam tanam pallavi in Raag Bahudari. Dr. Srikanth’s embellishments of the alapana and tanam are a true celebration of Bahudari. The pallavi, a composition of Saint Thyagaraja, is delivered on a highly emotive note. A stunning taniavarthanam follows thereafter, where Venkatesh recites the rhythms with exceptional clarity and proficiency, developing this section into an exciting sawal-jawab (question-and-answer session) between all three musicians.

Dr. Srikanth introduces the next piece with an interesting title, “English Note”, a composition by P. Sambamoorthy during the British rule in India with influence from western classical music. The ensemble puts together commendable teamwork in this cultural mish-mash.

Dr. Srikanth concludes her recital with a beautiful thillana in Raag Dhanashri in Adi talam. As the Director’s Cut concert, we present this ensemble once again with pride at the Darbar Concert Hall because of the inspiration and energy that the musicians bring to it. Dr. Srikanth’s fresh approach to ragas is noteworthy and her penchant for making a remarkable camaraderie with her accompanists is what makes this a highly energetic and quality concert.

Musicians
Dr. Jyotsna Srikanth (violin)
Neyveli Venkatesh (mridangam)
RN Prakash (ghatam)

Music Pieces
Varnam in Raag Mohanam in Adi talam
Raag Amritavarshini, Composition by Mutthiah Bhagavatar (1877-1945) in Rupak talam
Raag Sama, Composition by Sri Sadasiva Brahmendra (died in 1756) in Adi talam
Raag Kathanakuthuhalam, Composition by Patnam Subramania Iyer (1845-1942) in Adi talam
Raag Bahudari, Ragam tanam pallavi, Composition by Saint Thyagaraja (1767-1847)
English Notes, traditional composition by P. Sambamoorthy (1901-1973)
Raag Dhanashri, Thillana in Adi talam composed by Swathi Thirunal (1813 – 1846)