Eminent artists Vidyasagar, Dr. R Srikanth, Sridharachary, Omprakash, Nagaraju and Kumaraswamy performed and mesmerised the audience at the Laya Vadyam concert held by the Swara Raga Institute of Music in memory of three stalwarts – Guru Karaikudi R Mani garu, Karra Subramanyam Garu and Karra Srinivas Rao Garu on Thursday last at TNGO’s colony, Katedan.
Percussion instruments – mridangam, ghatam, kanjira, dolu, tabla etc… were part of the Laya Vadyam. K. Veenadhari’s students – Akshay Kumar, Sree Laya Madhuri, Sruthi Madhuri, Neeraja, Aadhya, Yajath and Anuhya – rendered a couple of Carnatic songs melodiously following the Laya Vadyam.
Chief Guest for the evening, Saanam Srinivas, MLA, and Guests of Honour – Prema Malini, writer, and Ravi Kumar, social activist Nava Bharatha Nirmana Sangham, enjoyed the evening’s performance. Srinivas Salandra Rao (USA), president of Swara Raga Institute of Music hosted the program.
Speaking to Natyahasini, Swara Raga Institute of Music, general secretary, K Veenadhari, who was a disciple of Karra Srinivas, Karra Subramanyam and Guru Karaikudi R Mani, expressed her willingness to spread the importance of ‘laya vadyas’ and spread Guru Karaikudi R Mani Baani (style of playing) across the world through the Swara Raga platform. “It’s my responsibility as an artist and disciple of such legendary mridangam artists to spread the knowledge,” she said and sought the almighty’s blessings and cooperation of the rasikas to spread the divine art form.
