Rama Nama Sankeertanas (Songs in praise of Lord Rama) are so pleasing to the ear that you can listen to them all day, every day.
Dr Padma Govardhan, Principal of the Auckland based Sangeetha Bharathi School of Carnatic Music, her daughter Vishnu Priya Mallela and her students provided a sumptuous treat of Rama Keerthans at Radha Damodar Temple (Panmure) on Saturday, April 16, 2016.
Fourth in an annual series, the evening saw students of all levels offering their obeisance to Lord Rama marking His Birthday, popularly known as ‘Sri Rama Navami.’
Auspicious beginning
The programme began with ‘Maha Ganapathim’ a Muthuswami Dikshitar composition rendered by Dr Padma and her senior students.
Thereafter, the students took the audience on a journey involving various composers and their visualisation of Lord Rama. If Dr Padma, seated in the audience, nodded in appreciation, it was credit well deserved.
Following a few delightful Kirtans by junior students, Dheeraj Venkatachalam moved the audience with ‘Smarane Sukhamu’ in Janaranjani, in which composer Saint Thyagaraja explained the happiness accrued by submission to Lord Rama.
Puja Nory glorified the grand epic Ramayana in her rendition of ‘Bhavayami Raghuramam,’ a composition of Swati Tirunal in Raga Malika.
The following 90 minutes were rife with divine music by senior students including Vishnupriya Mallela and this writer. They rendered popular Thyagaraja Kirtans such as ‘Bantureeti’ (Raga Hamsanaadam) and ‘Prakkala Nilabadi’ (Kharaharapriya) with elaborate manodharmam.
Lord Hanuman appeased
It is said that wherever Lord Rama is glorified, Lord Hanuman is pleased. Such was the experience when the Bhajan ‘Pavana Nandana Sundara’ (Charukesi) composed by Ganapathy Sachidananda Swamy was presented.
High energy levels were maintained throughout the programme, especially as Dr Padma presented ‘Sita Kalyana Vaibhogame,’ ‘Nagumomu Galavani,’ (by Thyagaraja) ‘Pahi Rama Prabho’ (Bhakta Ramadasu) and other numbers.
Sudeeksha Ravooru, Sravani Kunapuli, Bharathi Manikandan, Salomia Joby, Aditi Anand, Siddhi Sri Bobba, Adira Venkatachalam, Harshita Bheema, Nimisha Raman and Esha Nair were also in their elements as they performed a number of songs that have gained immortality, invoking a volley of emotions in listeners.
Supporting Artistes
Dr Ashok Malur and his student Pavan Mani on Violin and Chirag Mani and Dheeraj Venkatachalam (students of Dr Suresh Ramachandra) on Mridangam rendered support with ease and energy.
Renowned composer Bhadrachala Ramadasu once wrote, ‘Sri Rama Nee Naamamemi Ruchira,’ (‘Oh! How enticing and sweet is your beautiful name Sri Rama’).
The feast of ‘Rama Naamam’ was enjoyed by the audience. Their next musical treat would be ‘Annamayya Padahela’ organised by the School.
Dr Pratyusha Vikrant is a student of Dr Padma Govardhan. She and Vishnu Priya are fondly known as ‘Auckland Sisters’ among lovers of Carnatic Music.
