It was a rare privilege for ardent listeners when two Grammy award winners – one a master of melody and the other a percussionist wizard – came together to perform in Chennai for ‘Bharat Sangeet Utsav’ under the banner of Carnatica and Parthasarathy Swami Sabha. The programme by the two internationally acclaimed artists Pt. Vishwamohan Bhatt and Vikku Vinayakaram was divided into three segments.
Raag Shyam Kalyan unfolded in all its glory when the maestro brought out its essence with subtle nuances and fast-paced flourishes in both Drut and Vilambit kal to the accompaniment of Ram Kumar Mishra on the tabla. This downpour of melody was followed by the thunderous roar on the ghatam by Vikku Vinayakaram accompanied by his grandson Swaminathan on the ganjira. The maestro’s fingers glided across the pots with effortless ease, even as his grandson recited a prayer to Ganesha.
The two artists came together in the final segment. After singing the phrases of the composition in raag Gaavathi initially, Panditji later played it on the instrument. The three percussionists joined him and slowly it built up to a crescendo with all of them performing in a fast tempo, which was a visual treat for the rasikas. The evening concluded with a soul-stirring rendering of ‘Vande Matharam’ and ‘Jana Gana Mana.’