The quaint campus of PS Higher Secondary School, somehow isolated from the din of city sounds, is a place in which time seems to stand still, where the buildings’ high ceilings and wooden balconies transport one to a different time. And a perfect venue it was for the concert of seasoned musician MS Sheela, whose quiet classicism was perfectly in tune with the venue’s old-world charm.Singing at a concert organised by Nadopasana Trust, a local 250-membered sabha, as part of its monthly programme, the Bangalore-based artiste kept the small but knowledgeable audience enthralled with her performance, which was rich in melody and emotion.Beginning with the brisk Darbar varnam, Chalamela, Sheela, disciple of RK Srikantan, went on to sing the bhava-soaked Annamayya kriti, Vandeham Jagat Vallabham in Hamsadhwani, replete with scintillating chitta swaras.She succeeded in showcasing her extraordinary ability without resorting to gimmickry of any kind, as was evident in her swara prasthara in Thyagaraja’s Sri Ramya Chitta, which was befitting her virtuosity and in perfect tempo.Thyagaraja’s Venugana Loluni in Kedaragoula, greeted with approving smiles and loud sounds of appreciation, was rendered with depth and measured brigas; the apparent devotion in her resonant, rich voice even causing an audience member to remark that her rendition brought to his eyes the lotus-feet of the lord described.The concert was linguistically balanced; MS Sheela sang two Papanasam Sivan compositions- Singara Velan Vandaan in Aananda Bhairavi and Paadame Thunai in Valaji. The execution of Thanjai Ponnayya’s Mahadeva Manohari in Devamanohari was crisp, true to the rhythmic character of Thisra Adi.Violinist Dr Hemalatha followed and countered the singer effortlessly, her competence and sensitivity evident in every stroke.Her successful display of the essence of Hindolam in the next item, Muthuswami Deekshitar’s Govardhana Gireesham, was also deeply appreciated.The main raga of the evening was Kalyani. Essayed with beauty and distilled to pristine purity, Sheela’s exposition drew much applause, though a section of the audience believed that the raga could have done with greater elaboration and had more time devoted to it. What followed was the Swathi Thirunal kriti, Pankaja Lochana, in Misra Chapu, which provided percussionist Manoj Siva on the mridangam the opportunity to display his skill and virtuosity. This was followed by Govinda Gopala in ragamalika, enriched by her high range and the weight in her voice.MS Sheela’s lively and enjoyable concert, which ended with a Purandara Dasa thillana in Brindavana Saranga, was high in melodic value and marked by excellent diction, leaving the few who attended it satisfied at having spent an evening in the company of good music.
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