Clarinet Recital By Kota Atchibabu: Events in Hyderabad

REVIEW FOR CLARINET RECITAL BY KOTA...

The South Indian Cultural Association (SICA) is presenting an evening of Carnatic music on the clarinet by Kota Acchibabu, on 26th September, at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan auditorium. B S Narayanan on the violin, P Jayabhaskar on the mridangam and Nemani Somayajulu on the ghatam will provide the support music for the recital.

Kota Acchibabu is an A-grade staff artiste of the All-India Radio. Born in 1955, he was initiated into music by his father and vocalist Kota Tatalu, and uncle Ramulu. His interest in the clarinet sprung after he became a disciple of late Shaikh Madina Saheb, himself a disciple of Nedunuri Krishna Murthy.

The clarinet is a Western musical instrument, and is difficult to tune to Carnatic music. It requires years of rigorous practice and control over the blowing of air into it. Acchibabu is probably the only Indian to play the instrument in Carnatic style. He is a highly talented artiste who can play classical, light music, folk and also movie music.

Achibabu has played for several music directors, but the instrument has no takers in today's age of advanced digital technology. He has played along with and in the presence of Dr. Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna, Dr. Yella Venkateshwara Rao, Dr. Nedunuri Krishna Murthy, Susheela, L R Eashwari, Janaki, Leela, Jikki, Jamuna and Dr. S P Balasubrahmanyam.

Achibabu has been conferred upon the Ghantasala Subhan Award by the Ghantasala Kalapeetham, Machilipatnam, in addition to receiving many felicitations by Dr. Akkineni Nageshwara Rao, Dr. C Narayana Reddy, Atal Behari Vajpayee and Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohammed. Currently, he is a member of the A P Music Committee at the Telugu University, and a panel member of Yuvavani, AIR.

SICA was founded in 1959 by Dewan Bahadur Aramuda Iyengar, the Finance Minister of Hyderabad's Nizam and a patron of Carnatic music. Since then, the association has organised over 1,000 concerts. It has provided a basic platform for upcoming artistes like U P Raju and Nagamani, Mandolin Srinivas and the Malladi Brothers.

SICA conducts workshops, felicitates artistes, and provides both moral and financial support to upcoming artistes. Dr. S Chakravarthy (IAS), former Chief Secretary to the Govt. Of AP, is the current President of the association, and R Chakrapani is the General Secretary.

The entry to the concert is by invitations, for members. The rest need to buy donor passes of Rs. 25 or Rs. 50 per head. Please contact R Chakrapani, Secretary of South Indian Cultural Association, at 98491-24675 for further details.