Sway of Swaras

An exhilarating violin concert by renowned exponent Avasarala Kanyakumari of the ‘Telugu Land’

The birth centenary tribute to the music legend Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi was inaugurated at Ravindra Bharathi recently. The function is being conducted as part of the Annual Art Festival 2015 of South Indian Cultural Association (SICA).

The violin wizard, a recipient of Padmasri and Kalarathna of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, Avasarala Kanyakumari is a native of Vizianagaram and has been in Chennai for about than four decades. Belonging to a family of musicians, her parents encouraged her to pursue Carnatic music. She was fortunate to be a sishya (disciple) of three great legendary gurus – Ivaturi Vijayeswara Rao, M Chnadrasekharan and ML Vasathakumari. Critics and art lovers attend her concerts in large numbers across the globe. That was the trait of Kanyakumari, who devoted her life completely to the elevation of Carnatic music in the world.

Kanyakunari started her violin recital with “Moolaadhara Murthey” (Hamsadhwani) of Papanasam Sivan, a familiar item, which amused the audience. Her most senior disciple, Rajeev supported her on violin, while veteran mridanga Vidwan DSR Murthy (mridangam) and BS Purushotham (ghatam) made a matching instrumental display amidst much appreciation.

It was in “Chakkaniraja Margamu” (Kharaharapriya), the main item of the evening of saint Thyagaraja, that Kanyakumari made a scintillating display of putting the august audience in a hype of joy. While dwelling Ragalapana, she made a show piece of Ragamalika moving on to ragas “Revathi”, “Sahana”, “Kambhoji” and “Sivaranjani” effortlessly; an exceptional demonstration and mesmerised music lovers putting them in the sway of “Raga Madhuryam”. Added to this, during Kalpanaswaras of the charanam, she played a different set of ragas “Sahana”, “Kapi”, “Surya Revathi” and “Sivaranjani” showcasing her mastery in instrumental display. That shows her impeccable style and rich command on the strings, a rarity which only one can find in the hands of Kanyakumari.

Rajeev, who supported on violin availed the opportunity and showed his mettle. In her two-and-half hour concert she rendered “Nadatanu manisam” (Chittranjani), “Vidulaku Mrokkeda” (Mayamalavagoula), “Brochevarevaruraa” (Khamas), “Bagayanayya” (Chandrajyothi), maintaining the same tempo throughout.

The concluding numbers of Rajaji “Kurai Ondrum Illai” (Ragamalika) and that of Purandaradasu “Krishna Begano Baroh” (Yamunakalyani) resulted in team Kanyakunmari receiving a thunderous applause.

Kanyakumari is not only a great performer but also a guru par excellence, whose constant encouragement has made many a student top in the music field. On this special occasion of the centenary celebrations of her birth, the Governor ESL Narasimhan felicitated Avasarala Kanyakumari and honoured her on behalf of the organisation with the title ‘Sangeetha Sarswasthi.’ The celebrations will end on Nov 8.

By:Chivukula Rama Mohan