Sharada Cultural Trust organised a music festival at Mahalakshmi temple in Secunderabad, comprising that constituted a vocal concert by Vaidyanathan, Upanyasam and a Sampradaya Bhajan, spread over three evenings.
An experienced vocalist with a robust vocal culture, Vaidyanthan began with the popular varnam Chalamela in raga Darbar in two speeds, following it up with Thyagaraja’s Meru Samana in Mayamalavagoula, Aditalam, a rare composition Gopanandana of Swati Thirunal in raga Bhooshavali. . He then went for an extensive Rajuvedale of Thyagaraja in Thodi, roopakatalam.
Vaidyanathan followed it up with the scintillating raga, Pantuvarali, for Swarthi Tirunal’s Sarasakaha, rendering an expansive swarakalpana. This was followed by a devotional rendition of Shyama Sastry’s O Jagadamba in Ananda Bhairavi . Later his rendition of the Tamil number in Bagesri, Kanden Kanden of Arunachala Kavirayar and known as Raamanataka kriti was well received by the audience.
The main item was Akshayalinga Vibho in Shankarabharanam of Dikshitar set in Misra chapu talam.While detailed ragalapana and neraval enriched sahitya appeal, the kalpanaswaras displayed his rich manodharma. Violin support by Anantha Sowrirajan went well with the vocalist’s output. Thani avarthanam by Srinivasa Gopalan was short and sweet.
Towards the end, Vaidyanathan presented a couple of light numbers Jagajjanani in Rathipathipriya of Ghana Krishna Iyer and Bhajare Gurunatham in Hindustani raga Peelu.
On the second day, a discourse by V Srirama Ghanapadigal on ‘Kanchi Sri Paramacharya Vaibhavam’gave a life sketch of Paramacharya.
The final of the day event saw Sampradaya Bhajans and a musical narration of ‘Sita Kalyanam’, bhajans by S Karthi Bhagavathar and his party as well as . ‘Sitakalyana Mahotsavam’ held with religious fervour.