Sumithra (disciple of Smt.Vedavalli) sings on 19th December 2010

Smt. Sumithra Vasudev has been learning all the facets of carnatic music from senior musician Sangita Kalanidhi Smt.R.Vedavalli for over 20 years. " I have taught the proper traditional way of rendering various kritis and I am confident that she will carry forward this perfect bani to the next generation", declares the proud guru. Sumithra is an A Grade artist of AIR. She has won several awards, prominent among them being Sangeet Natak Academy's "Yuva Puraskar", "Yuva Kala Bharathi" from Bharat Kalachar and "Nada Oli" from Nada Inbam. Being a post graduate degree holder in Sanskrit, Sumithra has set to music several Sanskrit slokas including those of Kalidasa and used them in her performances. Also, proficient in Tamil, she has tuned Divya Prabandams and other Tamil literary works to carnatic music. Accompanying her guru to several countries, she has given numerous concerts in India and abroad. She has won several prestigious scholarships for advanced learning in Carnatic music. She has several CDs to her credit. Also, she performs regularly in AIR and various channels of television.

Concert Review

Smt.Sumithra commenced the proceedings with an authoritative Varnam in Sama. The deep forceful voice immediately impressed the audience and drew it to total attention.  Ganesha stuthi followed in raga Gowlai with a round of brisk swaras. The next item was the popular Seethamma Mayamma of Thyagaraja swami.  Interestingly, instead of the more common use of Vasantha for this song, Sumithra sang this in a closely related raga namely Lalitha. It is believed that originally this was in fact composed in Lalitha. The first main piece of the evening was a classic Begada alapana which had the unmistakable stamp of true classicism. She chose to sing a Purandaradasa's Hariye Sarvothama in this raga with neraval and swaraprasthara. This was a truly wholesome treat for the connoisseur. After an impressive Ranjani number, the artist proceeded for an elaborate Ritigowlai raga alapanai. The slow paced Nannu vidichi vadalaku brought out the true bhava of the raga as well as the composition. After a brief Sriraga krithi, the main item was presented which was a majestic Bhairavi. All the intricate facets of this delightful raga were brought out in full. The Muthuswami Dikshitar masterpiece, "Balagopala" entered the hall in all His splendour which included a full fleged neraval and kalpana swaraprasthara. A ragamalika slokam with an Abheri keerthanai was the only tail piece. The concert was a totally satisfactory experience for the packed audience and most of them would have liked a few more thukkadas before conclusion, although it was already a more than 3 hour concert.

Sri.B.K.Raghu on violin was following the artist closely and could effortlessly reciprocate all the subtle variations. Sri. B.C.Manjunath another youngster, played with effervescence and was full of enthusiam and energy throughout the concert and got repeated applause. Sri. Narayanamurthy on ghatam gave an understanding and competent support.

LIST OF SONGS :
 
1. Nerajalanu- Varnam - Sama- Adi
2. Sri Mahaganapathi-  Gowlai-     Misrachapu  (swaram)
3. Seethamma Mayamma-  Lalitha-   Adi
4. Hariye sarvothama-  Begada- Khandachapu - Alapanai,  Neraval at "Nagashayana bhogi bhooshana vandita" followed by swaram
5.Yatra yatra Raghunatha keertanam-  Slokam in Ranjani followed by  Pranamamyaham sree- misra chapu  Mysore Vasudevachar   
6. Nannu vidichi vadalaku- Ritigowla-  Ragam (elaborate)-  Misrachapu
7.Kanakaveda Gurunatha-  Sri-  Adi
8.(main)  Balagopala - Bhairavi- Ragam,  Neraval at "Neela neerada sareera"  swaram-  Adi
9.Kasturi tilakam-  Slokam  Ragamalika (Saveri, Keeravani, Behag, Kapi, Abheri) followed by Gokula nilaya krupalaya palaya in Abheri- Adi
10.Mangalam.