Nadasurabhi, a leading cultural organisation of Bangalore conducted its 19th Annual Carnatic Music Festival from the 20th to 25th November with seven programmes. The venue was the new auditorium attached to the St.John’s College of Nursing in Koramangala.

The opening day saw the famous Mysore brothers, Nagaraj and Manjunath demonstrate their proficiency in violin by a vibrant performance. Poorvikalyani and Varali were dealt with in detail, and a Ragam Tanam pallavi in Charukesi was presented with aplomb. The second day sobriety, serenity and excellence were on display in the vocal concert of Maharajapuram Ramachandran who comes in the illustrious lineage of Viswanatha Iyer and Santhanam. Shanmukha priya main and a ragam Thanam Pallavi in Madhyamavathi were delivered in a soothing majestic style. Next day, young Abhishek Raghuram who has had a meteoric rise to fame in the last few years, aptly justified his rise by a sparkling Poorvikalyani, a sedate Marivere Gathi Evvare in Anandhabhairavi and a major Thodi with Emi Jesithe.

Abhishek Raghuram,Charulatha, Anantha R.Krishnan, Guruprasanna. Pic courtesy: NADASURABHI

Sanjay Subrahmanyan,Srikanth, Jayachandra Rao, Rajasekar. Pic courtesy: NADASURABHI

Award of sangeetha Surabhi to Dr.Ramani. Pic courtesy: NADASURABHI

Dr Ramani, CN Chandrasekhar, Ravishankar, Sukanya Ramgopal. Pic courtesy: NADASURABHI

Inauguration by Sukumar Srinivas. Pic courtesy: NADASURABHI

Maharajapuram Ramachandran, B.Raghuram, Sudhindra, Prasanna Kumar. Pic courtesy: NADASURABHI

Mys Nagaraj, Manjunath, Arjun Kumar, Udupa, Guruprasanna. Pic courtesy: NADASURABHI

Priya Sisters, MA Krishnaswamy, Patri Satish, Purushottaman. Pic courtesy: NADASURABHI

Ranjani Gayathri, Charulatha, Ravishankar, Shashishankar. Pic courtesy: NADASURABHI

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The weekend concerts started with two pairs of attractive young sisters, the Priya Sisters on Friday and Ranjani and Gayathri on Saturday. Hemavathi, Sankarabharanam’s Saroja dalanethri were the impressive and elaborate pieces of the Priya Sisters Concert whereas Keeravani main and a Ragam Tanam Pallavi in Sahana were the highlights of the Ranjani-Gayathri Concert.

On Sunday, there was a special morning programme when veteran carnatic flautist, the much decorated Dr.N.Ramani, was awarded the prestigious title of "Sangeetha Surabhi" along with a brief felicitation function. A delightful flute concert of the maestro followed which left the audience spellbound. Begada and Anandabhairavi were elaborated with the "main" being Karaharapriya.The icing on the cake was Sunday’s evening programme when Sanjay Subrahmanyan presented a scintillating programme. Kambodhi and Dhanyasi were the sub-main and main respectively whereas a beautiful Ragam tanam Pallavi in raga Sama was presented. The entire concert was in Sanjay’s characteristic effervescent style.

The outstanding feature of the series was the excellent acoustics and sound system which was free of any distortion or echo. It was universally acknowledged by all rasikas. When top rung musicians present unique chaste Indian Classical carnatic music, it just turns the atmosphere heavenly and divine. The overflowing hall was filled by highly disciplined, evolved and cooperative rasikas. The accompanying artists were of very high quality. Entry for all concerts were free and supported by voluntary donations by well wishers and music lovers.⊕