Karnatic Hindustani Music Circle’s Fall 2016 season offering began on September 18th afternoon with a Hindustani vocal recital by Sri. Sai Keerthan Ekbote followed by a Carnatic violin concert by the eminent visiting artist from India, Sri Annavarapu Ramaswamy. KHMC is a grassroots, non-profit New England based music organization that believes in bridging generations through the presentation of Carnatic and Hindustani classical musical traditions by upcoming student performers as well as seasoned, professional artists and teachers.

Keerthan, (disciple of well known Bengaluru based Hindustani vocalist, Sri. Dattatreya Velankar) commenced his 45 minute long afternoon presentation with two khayaals in Raga Madhuvanti set to 10 beat and 16 beat cycles. He developed the medium tempo khayal set to jhaptaal, “Mun ko dridha karo” in a structured manner with alaaps leading from the lower mandra saptak to the higher, taar saptak. After finishing the antara section of the khayal, he returned to the sthaayi and raised the tempo of the rhythm cycle. Sargam (solfege) sequences, bol-alaap and baraabar taans were rendered before proceeding to the second composition in drut laya (fast tempo), “Eri aaj piya sapne mein aaye” embellished with aakaar taans. Shri Rajesh Pai on the tabla and Smt. Sarita Deshpande provided seasoned professional accompaniment to the young artist. Keerthan sang a khayaal in raga Kaushik Dhwani, “Shubh Din Aaye Saajanwa” set to 16 beat cycle addha taal, followed by a crisp taraana in the same raga “Tadeem tadiyani udani daani” set to 12 beat cycle ektaal. He ended with a bhajan “Guru Kripe bina nahi aatma gyaan” based on Raga Tilang which forayed into several different ragas. Keerthan told the audience that his grand-Guru, the eminent Hindustani vocalist Pandit Vinayak Torvi taught him the bhajan. Keerthan’s confident rendition was appreciated by the members of the audience. Keerthan is  a High school senior at Northboro and he recently completed his music arangetram (debut stage performance).

13 year old Rishi Shetty said  “As I listened to Keerthan, I wondered how he became so good at singing!” Shriman, a budding Carnatic music vocalist and violinist said “Carnatic music has a lot of heavy gamakam ornamentation – in contrast, Hindustani music very soothing.”

The renowned 90 year old violinist visiting from Andhra Pradesh, Sri Annavarapu Ramaswamy was the featured artist of the second half of the concert which showcased Carnatic music. He was accompanied by his disciple, Shri Aruna Kumar Madabhushi on the violin and by Dr. Pravin Sitaram on the Mridangam. Sri Ramaswamy’s accomplishments include Sangeet Natak Academy awards by the Central and State governments, felicitations by former president Shri Venkataraman and former Prime Minister Shri P. V Narasimha Rao as well as a host of honorary degrees including doctorate awards. He is a performer, composer of several varnams and krithis as well as a wonderful teacher who has taught vocal, veena, flute and nadaswaram in addition to the violin instrument. His disciple, Sri Aruna Kumar’s accompaniment and brief solo was testament to his prowess as a great teacher.

Seven music items were presented by Sri. Ramaswamy Gaaru. Starting with the complex "Viriboni", Ata-tala varnam set to Bhairavi ragam composed by Pacchimirium Sri Adiyappaiyer, he went on to present the popular Dikshitar kriti “Vaatapi ganapathim bhaje hum” in raagam Hansadhwani, a Thyagaraja Pancharatna keerthana “Endaro Mahaanubhaavalu” in raagam Shri, another Tyagaraja kriti “Teliyaledu Rama” in Raagam Renuka, “Tholi jenma”in Raagam Bilahari, “Raghuvamsa” in raagam Kadanakudoohalam, and “Paluke Bangaaramaayana” in Raagam Ananda Bhairavi.  The expositions were marked by tonal beauty, pleasing imagination and were rendered with great ease and joy, as can be expected from an experienced Vidwaan. Dr. Sitaram’s mridangam sang in unision with the violinists and the camaraderie of the artists on the stage invited the enthusiastic participation of the audience. The two hour long program ended at 6:15pm with a brisk, traditional mangalam.

“It was very pleasant to listen to some instrumental music today. The popularity of the compositions made the concert all the more enjoyable” said Shr. Shravan Kumar Ramani, a musician who has moved to the Boston area recently. Little children dressed as superman and princess brought the presence of Disneyland into the music hall. The hospitality of the hosts Rags Kinnigoly and Rashmi Shetty was heartwarming and dinner served after the concert by the family was the icing on the cake.

The next KHMC concert will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct 22 at the residence of Smt. Uma Sankar, founder of Sruthilayaa School of Music, 45 Hemingway St, Shrewsbury, MA. To become a member contact via Facebook page for Karnatic Hindustani Music Circle.

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