REVIEWS

The Kala Bharati of the Karnatak Sangh featured for the first time, a Carnatic vocal concert by Rajee Narayan the well known dance guru. Though an accomplished singer, a disciple of the veteran Thurayur Rajagopala Sarma, it is rare that one has the opportunity to listen to her in a music concert.

It was a morning of melodies for music lovers, as Guru Rajee's voice ranged mellifluously with cascading brighas infused with bhava. A vaggeyakara herself, she sang with understanding of the innate bhava of the kriti. Her erudition and creativity were in ample evidence in the raag expositions, excellent niraval and intricate swara combinations. A well chosen, multilingual repertoire was, like the organiser mentioned, in keeping with the spirit of national integration that Kala Bharati stands for.

While each piece was a polished gem, Thyagaraja's 'Mee valla' (Kapi) and Dikshitar's 'Subramanyaya namaste' (Kamboji) were a class apart with exquisite alaps that brought out the raag swarups beautifully, the niraval and kalpanaswaras adding embellishments to the well rendered kritis. She concluded with one of her own compositions 'Velane' in ragamalika followed by a Meera bhajan and an abhang. Anantaraman on the violin gave excellent support as also young Shyamsunder on the mridangam.

K. Subadra Murthy
December 16, 1993. The Times of India, Bombay