Veena by Geeta Krishnamurthy (Organized by SICA)

The divine-stringed instrument of goddess Saraswati called 'Kacchapi' and another 
of the sage Narada called 'Mahati' are said to have descended to the earth for 
mankind, and moulded themselves as the seven-stringed instrument Veena. And so 
it is that its sound is celestial and its form arched and graceful. The Veena 
is known as the queen of all instruments of the South Indian stage, and boasts 
of an enchanting strength and form. And when such an instrument is played with 
the deserving nimbleness producing that heavenly music, it is bound to take the 
listeners into a realm above the earth. 


 The same aspects of beauty and melody were demonstrated once again by Geetha 
Krishnamurthy, whose Veena recital for the SICA festival enthralled the audiences. 
Sahaana, a composed and feminine melody of Varnam, was a subtle start. The tempo 
gradually rose with harmonies like the auspicious Nata ("Sarasiruha Nayana"), 
a speedy Hamsanada ("Bantureeti Koluvu" of Thyagraja) and a cheerful Bahudari 
("Brova Bharama"). 

 The central piece of the recital was "Enduku Peddala" in Shankarabharana, which 
had an elaborate treatment of its building phases. Over ten such select classical 
numbers surged through the instrument with a telling spirit. Percussionist C Selva 
Raju and Ghatam artist A S Shankar provided the beat and spirit to the pure abstract 
chorals.