Carnatic splendour

It was raining outside, but inside the Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, at the Times Chennai Festival 2011, it was isai mazhai for Chennai’s Carnatic rasikas as Nithyasree Mahadevan took them on a musical journey that they’re likely to remember for a long time to come.
The ace Carnatic vocalist, who is a hot favourite among listeners, kept the audience enthralled with her mastery over the varnams and keerthanais that she so effortlessly dished out.Kickstarting her concert with a varnam in raga Charukesi (which she explored to the hilt), Nithyasree moved on to other pieces that celebrated Lord Krishna. Post indulging liberally in raga Gopika Vasantham, she went on to perform some scintillating pieces which, thanks to the ample support she got from the other performing artists on stage, had the audience in awe. She wrapped up the concert with a fine rendition of Oruthi Maganai.... “I’m fortunate to have performed just a couple of days before Krishna Jayanthi,” she said, “It’s a blessing and I enjoyed singing today.” The associate sponsor of the festival is Reliance Digital, the cosponsor is Navin Housing and the co-host is Sheraton Park Hotel and Towers.
Sidelights
• When Nithyasree performed Sindhu Bhairavi, the audiences erupted with a thunderous applause. There wasn’t a single audience member who wasn’t touched by the power of the rendition.
• In the wake of the approaching Krishna Jayanthi festival, Nithya regaled audiences with several bhajans of Krishna.
• The singer whose birthday falls on August 25, was given advanced birthday wishes by many eager, young fans.