BANGALORE: A Carnatic Music Appreciation Concert was held at the Bangalore International Centre recently. The lecture-demonstration by Vidya Subramanian titled How to be an educated Rasika. Vidya Subramanian spoke on varnams and their significance, and also covered kritis in Carnatic music. She also talked about the similarities between Hindustani and Carnatic music. “Never pit one against the other, or call one greater than the other,” she said. Raga identification and how the art of improvisation were given special emphasis.“Concert planning is like a grand wedding. It is a wonderful blend of compositions and creativity,” said Vidya Subramanian. In concerts, the manodharma (creativity) unfolds in the form of varnams, kritis and ragas. “Each raga is a melodic entity with its own identity, and dimensions, and the gamakas are integral to our music,” added Vidya. She was ably supported on the violin by Meera and mridangam by Raja.“Mere scale cannot make a raga; embellishments and minute ornamentations are required to bring out the bhava of a raga.” After explaining the arohana-avarohana and a few sancharas, she went on to sing one full song and rendered the pallavi or a part of several songs - to bring home the variety of moods the raga offers.It was an interactive session as Vidya demonstrated different ragas and asked the audience to identify them. She stressed on the importance of regular listening as it makes one enjoy the music better and internalise the raga and the kriti. Though familiar, the raga expositions take a new dimension every time, for both the artiste and the listener. The programme provided a different feel to the audience in the packed auditorium of the Bangalore International Centre, possibly giving the rasikas a chance to listen to many kritis and develop a better understanding for the art. The session culminated in a question and answer round.
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