Pittsburgh_Patrika_October_2015

The Pittsburgh Patrika, Vol, 21, No. 1, October 2015
Pallavi Muluk’s Pleasant Karnatic Vocal Arangetram
Pallavi Muluk, a disciple of Sujana Mulukutla, had her Karnatic vocal
arangetram on June 27, 2015 at the Upper St. Clair High School auditorium.
Pallavi’s recital was in the format of a formal concert with krtis in
many languages and in different tempos.
Over the years, the Indian arangetrams have become de rigueur for
young women among Indian-Americans. Less common, though, is music
arangetrams as they require years of training in shruti shuddham (voice
training), layam and kaala-pramanam (complex rhythm patterns in Indian
classical music), and clarity in diction in rendering Tamil, Telugu, Kannada,
Sanskrit, Hindi, and Marathi krtis (lyrics).
Pallavi’s teacher Sujana (picture below) has trained her student well
in all these facets to gracefully handle the program with many pieces that
included alapana, neraval and swara prasthanam — all
hallmarks of a confident student going on stage for the first
time. Pallavi’s passion, discipline, and long hours of hard
work were evident in the almost flawless solo recital.
Her accompanying percussion artists were seasoned artistes.
Jayant Balasubramanian (Mridangam) and Ravi
Balasubramanian (Ghatam) are veterans. Pallavi was
ably guided by these talented seniors who provided excellent structure
to the concert, providing gravitas to the recital. Sushmita Ravikumar, a
junior at Ohio State University, very ably provided violin accompaniment
with great talent and elan. Preetha Narayanaswamy provided Tanpura
support.
The encouragement and support provided for the young vocalist by the
accompanying senior artistes were acknowledged by Smt. Tara Anand, the
chief guest of the evening and the guru of Sujana, in her remarks.
Pallavi had requested that any gifts be in checks payable to the Chinmaya
Mission. Over $8500 collected thus — which overwhelmed the Muluks —
was given to the Mission. — By Premlata Venkataraman •
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