Three legends, one voice at Krishna Gana Sabha

CHENNAI: When Nityasree opened with Giridhara Gopala in Mohanam, rasikas felt a sense of vibration at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha.Though her unique way of bringing unhurried expressions were unseen, her second piece Aaduvomae pannu paaduvomae created a feel of sanctity. Following the footsteps of her aunt, Lavanya Sundarraman presented Aadal kaaneero from the film Maduraiveeran and Theeradha vilayattu pillai, a ragamalika in all its pristine glory to Lord Krishna. Her traits were similar to that of Nityasree’s.In Simmendra Madhyamam, Nityasree and Ananthanarayanan presented Aadadha manamum undo with resonance and clarity, which the orchestra’s support  reflected brilliantly. A performance by Nityasree’s kids, Engal naatukendha naadu eedu and Bruhi mukundethi, added beauty to the patriotic and devotional lyrics. Sharing the stage with their mother, the kids sang Nanda Bala from the film Meera. Next, Anusha Karthik and Ananthanarayanan delivered Ranga Mohana Ranga rather lucidly. As the day’s highlight, Nityasree sang Kaatrinilae varum geetham based on Jonepuri raga that brought back MS Subbulakshmi on stage. Nityasree’s sense of patriotism bloomed when she delivered Vidudhalai vidudhalai from the film Vaazhkai. However, the most celebrated piece of Subramania Bharathi, Chinnanjiru killiyae Kannama left the audience disappointed. Jayasree Vaidyanathan with her scuttle voice didn’t do justice to the song and her landing notes were improper. But Ananthanarayanan supported her well. Together Lavanya and Nityasree sang Ellam inba mayam from the film Manamagal with cohesion and involvement. Clad in bright red-orange sari, Nityasree shared tidbits on MS Subbulakshmi, MLV and DKP and compared them to  the likes of Durga-Lakshmi-Saraswathi. The musician beamed that she was fortunate of having sung the renditions of those three legendary women.