Artsie
Contributed By - Nita Mallya
Valley is growing culturally and weekends are buzzing with activities, in the month of March we had many events at Artsie we have compiled two such events from art connoisseurs.
Carnatic Philharmonic Orchestra
Fine Arts Association of Arizona hosted Carnatic Philharmonic Ensemble.. The ensemble comprised of talented adults, children and students from the valley who presented a wide variety of classical music renditions in Carnatic style of music blended in with sections of Western music.
The harmonious blending of Eastern music with Western orchestra brought about a synergistic meeting of diverse styles and sensibilities. The word “Philharmonic” comes from Greek words meaning ‘love of harmony’ and is synonymous to the word, symphony. A symphony is a large orchestra of musicians who play together on various western instruments, usually including strings, woodwinds, brass instruments, and percussion instruments.
Conceptualized by Musician & Educator Vidwan V.V.S.Murari, the event included separate conductors for the Carnatic and Western music sections. Murari himself brilliantly conducted the Carnatic music section and played some magnificent solo strains that left one begging for more. He was joined on stage by Satish Raghunathan who was the music arranger and conductor of the Western section of the orchestra. Raghunathan, who composes, orchestrates and conducts music, has familiarity and deep knowledge of both Indian and Western music and is famous for scoring the music for many Indian films.
The ensemble featured more than 70 talented, valley musicians on stage. This inspired presentation of two completely different styles of music was put together so thoughtfully and artistically that they blended and flowed together seamlessly and left one with a delightful and refreshing perspective on both forms while complementing and emphasizing each other.
Indradhanush
(Input From Babu Raman)
Indo American Cultural Connect presented its annual signature event ‘Indradhanush’ for the year 2017 on the 26th of February 2017 at the Phoenix Center for the Arts.
This year’s theme was “Devotional Moods”
Devotion is an important theme for Indian Classical arts, and it is depicted in several different moods. This year’s presentation focused on the blossoming of these moods.
The program started with a presentation of “Reverence in Devotion”, a beautiful sand art presentation by Subhada Sahasrabudhe, leading to an awesome performance invoking the blessing of Lord Ganesh and physical depiction in a beautiful fusion of Kathak by Shaily Bhandari and Bharatanatyam by Deepti Athalye.
Next presentation depicted “Romance in Devotion” wherein Subhada presented a beautiful story in sand art followed by a melodious Rag Jhinjhoti Sitar presentation by Seema Gulati and Tabla presentation by Prafula Athalye.
Following which “Dedication in devotion” story presentation by Subhada and Kathak presentation by Shaily of Abhinay, Vatsalya and Tarana in Rag Nat Bhairavi.
Then it was “Commitment in devotion” with a story presentation in sand art by Subhada leading to a Veena presentation by Vasumathi Ram and Mridangam presentation by Sharat Chandra Bhargav who presented Chakkani Rajamargamu (Saint Tyagaraja’s composition) raga Kharaharapriya in Aditalam.
“Passion in devotion” was the next story in sand art followed by Bharatnatyam Presentation of Lord Krishna’s famous Raasa with Gopis by Deepti.
The last mood was “Sacrifice in devotion” sand art story presentation by Subhada leading to a jugalbandi in percussion and strings and a fusion of Kathak and Bharatnatyam dance forms presenting ragas Yaman and Kalyani.
The smooth flow of different moods combined with the powerful percussions and melodious strings along with the gracious moves of the dancers left the audience in awe and desiring for more. The Acoustics and lighting complimenting the different moods was very well depicted.
Added to all the above was a wonderful Ballet presentation by Opendance AZ. The gracious flow of body movements and the gliding moves to the Indian tunes on Sitar left the audience mesmerized.
In summary it was a treat for both the eyes and ears and the presentations were well received and appreciated by one and all.