Budding artistes find expression

In its 30th year, Sydney Music Circle has created a new platform Yuva Kala Bharathi, to encourage young artistes in Carnatic music. An inaugural concert was held last month which was well supported by over a 100 members in the audience. Two performing artistes presented on the occasion: Prenitha Balasubramanian (student of Chitra Nagarajan, accompanied by Shubhaangan on mridangam), and Kaustab Krishnamurthy (student of Chitra Krishnamurthy accompanied by Dilip Ramaswamy on violin and Nirmal Ayyar on mridangam).

Both performers and their accompanists gave a very creditable performance indicative of their potential to achieve concert status in the not too distant future.

They have shown serious commitment to master the nuances of this age old art form and have taken advantage of tutoring through the electronic media by well known vidwaans in India.

Prenitha’s rendering of raga Hamsadhwani and Kaustub’s raga Vachaspathi shone through which was applauded by the audience.

Sydney Music Circle’s efforts are laudable for mobilising the community support with donations and sponsorships for 30 years which have helped them underwrite the costs involved as well as provide appropriate venues and the latest in sound systems. Since India is one the largest source of young and multitalented migrants to Australia in recent years, this initiative of the Sydney Music Circle and Yuva Kala Bharathi is highly welcome. Their flagship event of conducting the Thyagaraja Aradhana every year in flawless expression enthralled and captivated the audience. Compere Indhu Subramanian took the audience on a journey through the evening’s proceedings with clarity and conviction. The ambience of the theatre was enhanced by two beautiful temple pillars as the backdrop and a colourful rangoli of the image of the two dancers in the foyer by Anusha Mukunthan. Proud parents Anu and Suresh presented the vote of thanks, but instead, the audience left the theatre thanking them for organising such a momentous event in Newcastle, planned and presented to perfection.

Hamsa Venkat

February/March is now an event every music lover awaits eagerly.

It is significant that this home grown product has reached a ‘high rating’ and mention in global Carnatic Music.

Malli Iyer