By S.R. Krishna Murthy
A veena concert by R.K. Padmanabha had been organised by Bhasange Balaga, the youth forum of the city, as part of its monthly programme, on Feb. 19 at Vasudevacharya Bhavana of Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha on JLB Road.
Padmanabha plays on his inherited Veena, which is known by the name ‘Kanaka Rajatha Saraswati Veene’, a gift to his father R. S. Keshava Murthy by his Guru Asthana Vidvan Veene Subbanna. This Veene was passed on to Padmanabha, as per the tradition, both by materialistic value and scholastic knowledge. It is a priceless heritage artifact, which I have described in one of my articles. It produces a beautiful Nada (sound), very pleasing to the ear. If it is so much and more on the instrument, the player Padmanabha also inherits the technique of traditional Mysore Bani, which he is carrying on further.
Padmanabha chose to play a dozen krutis in his concert, displaying diversity in section of Raga and Kruti. He flagged off his concert with a Varna Chalamela (Nata Kuranji-Adi-Ranga Swamy Nattuvanar) and proceeded on to Gam Ganapathe (Hamsadhwani-Rupaka-Mu-thaiah Bhagavatar), a briskly played Kruti with a lilting Swara, invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Rama Bhakti Samrajyamu (Shuddha Bangala-Adi-Tyagaraja) was also melodiously played, although appeared to be in a bit of hurry. But the very next Akhilandeshwari (Dwijavanthi-Adi-Muthu Swamy Dikshitar) was treated with the correct perspective pace it deserves. The versatility of the Vainika came to fore in the Madhyama Kala Kruti Manavyalakinchara (Nalina-kanthi-Adi-Tyagaraja), which was rendered in a speedier pace, in which a sparkling Swara was also taken in the same speed.
Padmanabha came to the sub main Raga of the evening by taking up an Alapane in Gowri Manohari, the 23rd Mela Karta Raga. Most of the composers have composed in this raga. But one interesting point is that more compositions are not found composed by them, except Tya-garaja, who has composed a couple of krutis like Guruleka Etuvanti, Pancha Nandeesha Pahimaam etc. The Vainika selected the former in his rendering, set to Khanda Chapu. He also took up the Neraval at Tatva Bodhana Jesi, with many cycles, concluding it with a brilliant Swara — brilliant in spite of pace being accelerated at the Muktaya stage. One of the most popular Hindi Kruti of Swati Tirunal Vishweshwara Darushana Karo, a Kshetra Kruti on deity Vishweshwara of Varanasi (Kashi), was the subsequent one before going to the main item of the evening. A splendid Alapane in Kalyani was replete with Manodharma. The range and emotional contour he displayed went well to the ears. A Veene concert without a Tana is considered as a sumptuous meal without salt. The Tana in Kalyani was excellent, with apposite Laya and in different combinations. Veene is an instrument which can produce almost near human voice, when played with a deft hand. If a listener knows the lyrics of the Kruti played, he can definitely HEAR it. This was the case here when Padmanabha played the Kruti Etavunara of Tyagaraja in Rupaka Tala. After rendering the Kruti in Vilamba Kala, a Neraval at Seetha Gouri Vageeshwari added flavour to the rendering. The Swara was a countersignature for the beauty of the kruti. Though the gradual acceleration was not a necessity, it was played with greater energy level with impromptu improvisations. He could even produce different Swaras by pressing the string from outside the fret board, at the top end, which spoke a lot about the ingenuity of the artiste.
The tail enders were two Devara Nama and a Tillana of Veene Sheshanna in Janjhutti. He concluded his concert on a serene note with Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma (Madhyamavathi-Adi-Purandara Dasa). On the accompaniment side were G.S.Ramanujan on the Mrudanga and S. Manjunath on the Ghata, contributing immensely for the success of the concert.
It was a day, in which Manodharma favoured the Vainika. An inspired Padmanabha exhibited his virtuoso with his ever smiling facial expressions, which the audience enjoyed.
source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Feature Articles / February 28th, 2012