An Evening of Devotion through Raga and Laya

Shri Dwarkamai Vidyapeeth Shridi Sai Baba temple always encourages local and international artists to perform at the temple.

Smt. Hema Balasubramaniam, a Carnatic Flute artist from Mumbai, India and Shri. Mahalingam Santhanakrishnan, a renowned Mridangam artist and teacher in New England area, presented a concert along with their respective students Naresh and Shivendra at the lotus feet of Shri Shridi Sai Baba, on the auspicious day of Sankashta Chaturthi. The artists gave a splendid performance. A divine energy was felt as Priest Pradeep Sharma performed the Ganapati Abhishekam, and chanted mantras while the artists made a musical offering to the Lord.

Smt. Hema and her student Naresh Vytheeswaran played the Flute while Shri. Mahalingam and his student Shivi Vytheeswaran accompanied on the Mridangam. This Instrumental Musical treat proved the saying, “Music needs no language”.

Smt. Hema Balasubramanian is a self-taught Carnatic Flute artist who lives in Mumbai. She was trained in vocal music by senior Gurus of Mumbai, Shri. Chandrashekara Bhagavatar and Smt.T.R Balamani. Her devotional music is not new to New England or to the US, as she plays the flute at various Arangetram events and concerts every year. She is also a popular Flute and Vocal teacher, she trains many students in the US over the skype.

Shri. Mahalingam Santhanakrishnan from Norwood, MA   is an accomplished Mridangam artist and teacher. He is a disciple of Vidwan Shri. P.Srinivasa Iyer from Chennai.  He is an active member at KHMC (Karnatic and Hindustani Musical Circle of New England). Music has no boundaries; Shri. Mahalingam has worked with musicians and has performed in dance productions and world music concerts.

Chiranjeevi Shivi Vytheswaran; is a 10th grader at Lexington High School in MA. He has been learning Mridangam under Guru Mahalingam since he was 7yrs old. He has also taken guidance from Shri. C. Narendran from Trichur. He has accompanied several up-coming artists in the Massachusetts.

Chiranjeevi Naresh Vytheeswaran is in middle school at Lexington middle school in MA. Naresh began his Flute training under Shri. Prayuth and continues his musical journey under the guidance of Smt. Hema Balasubramanian via Skype. This special event was a proud moment for Dilani and Sri Vytheswaran; the parents of Naresh and Shivi; as Naresh performed for the very first time in public. We all could see him nervous at the start but he felt confident when he held his flute.

The artists presented popular Carnatic compositions in a traditional concert format.  The concert started with a varam ‘Mathe' in Raag Kamas, popularized in the Hindi movie as “Morning Raga”.  The artists then played Vatapi Ganapathim in Raag Hamsadhvani and Aadi Talam, composed by Shri. Muthuswamy Dikshitar. This was followed by Jaganandakaraka, Saint Tyagaraja's first Pancharatna kruti in Raag Naattai and Nagumomuganaleni in Raag Abheri with a crisp Swaraprastaram.

Shri. Mahalingam along with Chi. Shivi played a beautiful Double –Mridangam Thani Avartanam.

Followed by the wonderful duet was the popular Bho Shambho in Raag Revathi composed by Swami Dayanand Saraswathi. The evening ended with the beautiful Swathi Tirunal Thillana in Raag Dhanashri and Shri. Purandaradasa’s Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma in Raag Madyamavathi.

The audience was full of praises for all the artists. The artists expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to perform at Baba’s feet and amidst such an appreciative audience.

Following the tradition of Shri Dwarkamai Vidypeeth, Priest Pradeep Sharma thanked the artists and felicitated each with Baba’s shawl and prasad. This special day ended with Sri Baba’s Dhoop Aarti and Maha-prasad.

Pranam to Shri Dwarkamai Vidyapeeth for the platform, thanks to the artists for the musical treat, Priest Shri. Pradeep Sharma, all the Volunteers for their hard work and above all to Baba for making this possible.

Shri Dwarkamai Vidyapeth is an non-profit organization actively engaged in organizing health, social, spiritual workshops and events benefiting all. 

|