Veenavadini Sampradaya Sangeet Trust’s ‘Dikshitar 250’ highlights the enduring appeal of Muthuswami Dikshitar’s compositions

A portrait of Muthuswami Dikshitar. , Photo Courtesy: The Hindu Archives

Carnatic music has a rich collection of works composed by various Vaggayyakars, especially Trinity. Muthuswami Dikshitar’s works are known for their complex phrasing, melodic appeal and lyrical beauty. Since Dikshitar was adept at playing the veena, its influence can be seen in his compositions as well. Many of his works are set in a leisurely veena-playing style with quicksilver Madhyamkala passages to capture the essence of the ragas.

To commemorate the 250th birth anniversary of the composer, a year-long program titled ‘Dikshitar 250’ has been organized by the Veenavadini Sampradaya Music Trust. Veena artiste Jayashree Jayaraj and the trust established by Jayaraj recently presented concerts by Veena Venkataramani and Neyveli Santhanagopalan at the Arkay Convention Centre, Mylapore.

The lyrical beauty of Dikshitar’s compositions came to the fore in Veena Venkataramani’s concert. , Photo Courtesy: Srinath M

Veena Venkataramani, disciple of Jayaraj and Jayashree Jayaraj, at the Arkay Convention Centre, Mylapore. , Photo Courtesy: Srinath M

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The evening began with a 90-minute veena recital by Veena Venkataramani. The main attraction was the presentation of compositions like ‘Kadambari Priyaya’ (Mohanam) and ‘Sadashraye Abhayambike’ (Chamaram). Venika shared that the raga, otherwise called Shanmukhpriya, gets the name Chamaram in the Dikshitar school. Dikshitar had followed the incomplete Melakarta system in naming the Melakarta ragas.

Veena embellished each work with clear raga sound and imaginative voice. The Tanam section stood out following the Chamaram Alapana. Selection of works and good Kalapramanam are his assets. interesting thing

The Tani Avtaranam of Tirucherai Kaushik (Mridangam) and KR Shivaram Krishna (Kanjira) was rich in complexity.

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Neyveli R Santhanagopalan presented compositions that are full of emotional appeal. , Photo Courtesy: Srinath M

Senior singer Neyveli Santhanagopalan’s concert showcased his ability to connect with the audience. He started his performance with the Goula raga composition ‘Tyagaraja Palayasumam’.

Accompanists Nagai Muraleedharan (violin) and Mannargudi Easwaran (mridangam) elevated the performance. Santhanagopalan got into an introspective mood in the upcoming Bilahari raga Alapana as he went through its many layers. He presented the work ‘Ek Dantam Bhajeham’ with Kalpanaswar. They did not include too many corvettes in this segment. But in the main work ‘Sri Rajagopal Bala’ (Savari), in the second part of the text, he came up with some complex korvais. The work was followed by an elaborate and creative Niraval-Swar section.

Earlier, Santhanagopalan presented Varali Raga Alapana while maintaining all its aesthetics. The work chosen was ‘Seshachala Nayakam’. His ‘Manasa Guruguha Roopam Bhajare’ (Anandbhairavi) was full of melodious appeal. The performances of violinist Nagai Muraleedharan during the alapana and vocal sections were delightful. Senior mridangist Mannargudi Easwaran displayed his percussion skills during the Thani Avathaanam.

Neyveli R Santhanagopalan with Nagai Muraleedharan (violin), Mannargudi Easwaran (mridangam). , Photo Courtesy: Srinath M