By Dr. Rama V. Bennur
Vidwan S. Shankar is a fine vocalist who has carved a unique place in the field of Karnatak classical music. Known for his quest for classicism and reverence towards the great Vaggeyakaras, Shankar elevates his listeners to a higher level with his vast repertoire. The clear diction unfurls in a majestic style in his rich voice. He treated the rasikas of Mysuru with a fine concert at Veene Seshanna Bhavan (10.5.2017)under the aegis of Ganabharathi. Accompanied by N. Karthik (violin), Tumkur Ravishankar (mridanga) and Manjunath (ghata), he presented the compositions of Mysore Vasudevacharya, Muthuswamy Dixitar and Tyagaraja mainly. After the opening varna, ‘Sarasuda’ (saveri), he paid obeisance to Lord Ganapathi in ‘Lambodaramavalambe,’ with a brief sketch of Raga Kambodhi. A neraval at ‘Surabhoosurasamsevitha’ had a frill of brisk kalpana swaras. The opening phrase of the next alapa itself registered the forthcoming raga — Abheri. A neat presentation with no gimmicks was filled with raga bhava. The subtle nuances of abheri were well touched by both Shankar and Karthik. Vasudevacharya’s ‘Bhajare re maanasa’ was a welcome. Tyagaraja’s popular kriti ‘Nee dayarada’ (Vasanthabhairavi)paved way to a good delineation of Reethigowla. His musical ideas came alive in this vakra raga. A devotee’s request to Lord not to leave his proximity has been filled in Tyagaraja’s ‘Nannuvidachikadalakura.’ Shankar did full justice to the composition with good diction and bhava.
