Music lovers were treated to a special afternoon on 13th September 2009, when Mr. Mysore A.Chandan Kumar, great grand son of the legendary violinist late Sri Mysore T. Chowdaiah (the founder of the seven strings violin) performed at Town Center in Bedford, Massachusetts accompanied by the young versatile violinist Sri Suhas Rao and on the Mridangam by Dr. Pravin Sitaram from the greater Boston area.

A disciple of Guru Sri M. Gopalakrishna, Chandan kumar also receives guidance from Padmabhushan Sri. P.S. Narayana Swamy. He is a part of a rich musical lineage and as evident from his concert repertoire, is a rare combination of talent, versatility, speed and creativity.  

The musical concert commenced with an introductory mini concert by Mr. Chandan kumar’s student Prayuth Naduthota who began the concert with a varnam in Natakuranji raga set to adi tala. This was followed by a Purandara Dasa's Gajavadana Beduve in Hamsadhwani with notable swara patterns. Followed by Anathudanau ganu of Thyagaraja a catchy instrumental tune rendered in dhuritha gathi showcasing instrumental possibilities. The main item of the concert was Esha pahimam of Saint Thyagaraja in kalyani raga set to rupaka tala. This started with the alapana and followed by kruthi. The swara prasthara was interesting. The concert concluded with the dhanasri thillana composition of Maharaja Swati tirunal. Prayuth’s performance showed his dedication, promise and talent as young performer.

Following the student’s the performance, Sri Chandan kumar kept the audience spell bound for over two hours. The concert commenced with a brisk Evari bhodhana, a varnam in abhogi raga set to adi tala. This was followed by Mahaganapathim in raga nata, chaturashra jathi eka tala, a composition of Muttuswamy Dikshitar. Highlighting this piece was the interesting swara dialogue. This was followed by a soulful rendition of Annamacharya’s composition Srimannarayana in Bhowli raga, set to adi tala. He then chose to perform Raga Dharmavathi where in the improvisation of the raga phase by phase was delightful. .Dikhshitar kruthi "Prandhamavathi jayathi" was rendered with strict adherence to Sahitaya and pataantaram. The swara patterns in chaturasram, chaturasra tisram and tisram were scholarly presented.

A brisk composition Vara Narada Narayana in raga Vijaya sri -was rendered in an ati-dhuritha kalam, meaning very high speed with fluency. This is heard very rarely on the Flute. The swaraprasthara to this in the high speed was very challenging and the rasikas applauded in ecstasy. The main item of the concert was a Ragam Tanam Pallavi in raga Mohana, set to Adi tala. The rendering of raga and tana was catchy and adhered to strict carnatic tradition. The sahitya of the pallavi was-"Mohana Rangayya Samayamidhe-Dayajoodara Krishnayya". This was adorned with ragamalika swaras. It was interesting to note that Mr. Chandan kumar n chose one raga in Hindhusthani, Behag and one from the Carnatic system, Rithigowla. This piece was followed by an interesting tani avarthanam on the mridangam.

The later part of flute concert was decorated by pleasant lighter musical shades, Tambhoori meetidava in Sindhubhairavai raga [Purandara Dasa]; Baro krishnayya [Kanaka Dasa] were rendered with great appeal. The concert concluded with the ever sought after gem of carnatic music-Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma.

Pravin Sitaram ‘s unobtrusive yet highly effective and skillful accompaniment  on the Mridangam, Suhas Rao’s talent and versatility as the accompanying violinist , and the musical strains of Sri Chandan Kumar’s singing flute enthralled the audience.

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