‘Ropna’ raises money for the Cancer Society of New Zealand
Balajee Narasimhan
Wellington, August 16, 2023
It was a concert with a difference.
Four young artists enthralled a discerning audience at a Classical Carnatic Music Concert held at the Salvation Army Hall in Johnsonville, Wellington on August 13, 2023.
Serving multiple causes and supported by The New Zealand Indian Fine Arts Society, Pub Charities and music Rasikas of New Zealand, the event was attended by Wellingtonians and Aucklanders and people from other parts of the country.
While fostering local talents in the rare and sacred art of Carnatic music, the Concert, called, Ropna- A Voice for Cancer, raised funds to support Cancer Society New Zealand.
Young artists excel
The concept was the brainchild of young Ananyaa Dharmarajan, who debuted at this concert a first perhaps in New Zealand, where a young singer of this age rendered a concert running for about 80 minutes, serving as an inspiration for budding aspirants.
Ananyaa started the concert with a brisk rendition of Ninnu Kori in Vasantha Ragam. This was followed by the popular Maha Ganapathim in Nattai. Saket Vishnubotla, on the Veena, commenced this piece with a brief Alaapanai and the popular Kriti was performed with gusto. The other supporting artists were Pavan Mani on the Violin and Avinash Jeyashankar on the Mridangam.
This was followed by a Manickavasagar’s Virutham and a verse in Mohana Raagam. Saket aptly played the intro to this composition – plucking some beautiful Vedic notes.
Then came Amruthavarshnini Kriti in which Ananyaa did a sweet and brief Alapana and sang the Chitta Swarams well.
The main piece of the concert followed next with a slightly elaborate Alapana, followed exquisitely by Pavan Mani on the Violin. Ananyaa did a beautiful Neraval and sang the Kalpana Swarams with confidence and clarity. Her sense of Sruthi and Thalam is very strong and this forebodes a great future for this youngster.
Avinash Jeyashankar, who is quite popular in Wellington now, due to his frequent concerts, did a brilliant Thani Avartanam which was adored by the appreciative audience.
Vibrant exposition
Then came the crown jewel among Pancharatna Kritis, Sadinchene in Arabhi, where the entire team was in sync, to provide a vibrant exposition.
This was followed by the lilting Thamboori Meetidava, a Purandara Dasa composition, the Thillana in Dhanashri – Geeta Dhuniku by Swati Thirunal and Maitreem Bhajata by Sri. Chandrasekarendra Swami.
The concert concluded with Bhadrachala Ramadasa’s Mangalam. This was followed by video presentations of a couple of survivors of the dreaded cancer and a Vote of thanks by the Star of the evening Ananyaa, thanking the audience, sponsors and supporters.
The event was graced by the presence of Queen Margaret College Principal Jayne Young who appreciated the efforts of her student Ananyaa and felt privileged to be part of the event.
It was a tranquil evening spent with divine music, rendered by talented musicians, supported by a generous audience all for a noble cause.
Balajee Narasimhan is a Carnatic Music enthusiast and a former President of the New Zealand Fine Arts Society of Wellington.
