Reviews

K.P. Rakesh at Narada Gana Sabha

K.P. Rakesh commenced his recital at Narada Gana Sabha with Stuti Pancharatnam, an invocation dedicated to the deities Vinayaka, Skanda, Neelakanta, Mahashakti, and Sree Krishna. This composition, set to music by Madurai N. Krishnan, features choreography and jatis by Adyar Lakshman. It is rendered in a ragamalika and a talamalika format.

Next was the pada varnam, set in raga Todi and Adi tala. In this piece, the nayika is overcome by intense longing for Rajagopalaswamy of Mannargudi. She pleads, “Please do not remain indifferent, for I am unable to withstand the fiery onslaught of the Lord’s desire.” This composition was penned by the illustrious Sivanandam of the Tanjavur Quartet. In the Varnam, Rakesh executed the hand movements with precision.

Next was a padam that portrayed the grief of the Swadhinpatika nayika, separated from her husband. With a heavy heart, she expresses her inner turmoil, asking, “How am I to tell you? How shall I bear this separation? What shall I do, oh friend?”  This piece is set in raga Anandabhairavi and tala Misra Chapu. Rakesh's dance was a beautiful blend of grace and skill, with each movement telling a story. His expressions and footwork were flawless, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Rakesh concluded with a tillana in raga Surati and tisra jati Adi Tala, a composition of Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi.

The accompanying musicians are Girish on nattuvangam, G. Srikanth on vocals, Karthikeyan Ramanadhan on mridangam, Anantha Narayanan on veena, and Sujith Naik on flute.

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