An elaborate Kamboji by Shruthi S. Bhat

Shruthi S. Bhat’s concert was both aesthetically and technically impressive

Shruthi S. Bhat’s concert for Naada Inbam stood out for its poise and finesse. There was nothing frenetic about her music. Perhaps it’s because she has trained under veteran Chingleput Ranganathan and senior vocalist S. Sowmya.

The Kamboji raga had dignity and emotive character, in line with the kriti, Tyagaraja’s ‘Marimari ninne’, one that’s rarely heard these days. It used to be one of the masterpieces of the Alathur Brothers. Shruthi took up the charanam line, ‘Karunato Dhruvanikedhu’ for niraval and swaraprastara. On the violin, M. Vijay was at his best in the alapana. He stood up well to every challenge posed by the singer. The concluding korvais of both were impressive, both technically and aesthetically.

B. Ganapathiraman (mridangam) offered a lively thani, displaying through the concert a smooth and enjoyable artistry, with many hints of his laya refinement.