By Dr. Padmavathi Narasimhan
American born Indian classical vocalist Aditya Prakash gave a Karnatak vocal concert on the 4th Day of Paramparika Ganeshotsava at 8th Cross, V.V. Mohalla on Sept.16. Aditya impressed the gathering with his powerful and emotive voice. In the concert, he was accompanied by Nishant Chandar on violin, Ambur Padmanabhan on mridanga and G.S. Ramanujam on ghata. ‘Vatapi Ganapatim Bhajeham,’ Deekshitar’s best known composition, was suitably chosen for the occasion and the kalpana swaras developed quite unusually at ‘Murari Pramukhadyupasthitam’ were extensive and luxurious. ‘Mamava Meenakshi,’ another composition of Deekshitar in Varali set to Mishra Chapu was prefixed by an elegant alapana and the sahitya ornated at ‘Shyame Shankari Digvijaya Pratapini,’ followed by refined swaras. It is interesting to note that Deekshitar has made a reference to ‘Vallaki’ Veena in the pallavi of this composition — ‘Manikya vallaki pani’ (she who holds the Ruby-studded vallaki veena). ‘Ramanama Payasakke Krishna Nama Sakkare’ by Purandara Dasaru in Ananda Bhairavi was a welcome surprise but could be enjoyed better if without the shruti issue which persisted throughout the concert later. ‘Nada Tanumanisham Shankaram’ by Tyagaraja in Chittaranjani and ‘Parama Purusham’ in Lalita Panchama in Khanda Chapu by Swati Tirunal were good fillers.
