Rhythm harmony and

Sydney’s Sumukha Jagadeesh presents his mridangam arrangetram

BY HAMSA VENKAT

Matha, Pitha, Guru, Deivam, (mother, father, teacher and God) is the order in which artists venerate their elders. It was clear at Sumukha Jagadeesh’s recent mridangam arrange tram, that it was indeed a beautiful amalgamation of efforts from parents, teachers and the divine.

Sumukha was blessed to share the stage in mid-February at UNSW’s Science Theatre with stalwarts in the field of Carnatic music, Sri Kunnakudi M.Balamuralikrishna accompaniment reflecting intimate knowledge of the songs presented. Experts and patrons of music present in the audience were unanimous in their opinion that the accompanying style had the trademark of the Melakaveri style of playing. This shows the focus and preparation in absorbing the unique style of the Guru and a proud moment for the teacher for having passed on his lineage to a deserving student.

The centrepiece for the evening was Sri Krishnam Bhaje in Ragam Thodi, adithalam. Sumukha played with flair and confidence and his thaniavarthanam (solo segment) embodied the philosophy of the Melakaveri bani in all permutations and combinations. The ‘Arai Idam Eduppu’ starting with a couple of abiprayams, typical of the chathusram to tiram and kandam were well balanced, which exemplified a level of maturity,” opined Pallavarajan Nagendran, a sought after mridangist in Sydney. “The misrakuraippu and the use of karvais required a lot of layagnanam, which Sumukha executed well.”

Post interval session brought Sumukha’s aptitude and skill to the forefront with a complex 12 ½ beats per cycle

Panchamukhi, Ragam Tanam Pallavi. The beauty of the lyrics, the melody and the rhythm presented by the musicians on ability of the student and tailors his teaching to bring out the best in each student. Appreciating the role Sumukha’s parents Meera and Jagadeesh played in facilitating his learning, Sri Balaji stood proud as he blessed Sumukha to evolve into a good vidwan (performing artist) with continued hard work and learning.

The journey has been an arduous one and as Sri Suthanthiraraj, Sumukha’s teacher remarked in his speech, “Sumukha’s parents had to drag him to