Karnataka’s young and famous Hindustani vocalist “Gaana Kogile” Smt. Sangeeta Katti Kulkarni, winner of Suvarna Karnataka Rajyotsava award and Tabala maestro Shri Udayaraj Karpur performed the Swara Madhurya Sangeeta Sarita Musical concert on Saturday July 4 at the Mt. Eden war Memorial Hall.

She started the concert with the raaga “Guna Kali” which was aptful for setting in a musical atmosphere in the cold morning.

It was followed by Daasavaani, Vachanas, and Bhaava Geet in raaga Bibhaas, Nand, Brindaavani sarang, Malkans, Todi and others. Daasavaani -  “Vande naama saalade”, “Aarige namanaade”,  Vachanas -  “Maadi maadi kettaro”, “Ullavaru shivaalayava maaduvaru” Bhaava Geet -  “Naaku tanti”, “Shraavana bantu shraavana”,  “Yelli kaane yelli kaane” and  “Ghanashyama sundara” a Marathi song was a treat to the audience.

Shri. Udayaraaj Karpur a talented Tabala Maestro from Karnataka accompanied Smt. Sangeeta Katti Kulkarni on Tabala throughout the concert and stunned the audience with Tabala Solo “Tukada Chakradhaara”. The concert was ably supported by Shri. Arun Khotkar on Harmonium, Vidwan Divakar on Keyboard / Veena and Shri. Satyakumar Katte on Tala.

The second half of the programme was “Sangeet Sarita” – A journey of Indian Classical Raag through Indian Cinema. Smt Sangeeta Katti Kulkarni’s wide versatile repertoire captivated the audience. Songs in Raag Yaman, Pahaadi and Bhairavi displayed the performer’s talent that reduced the audience to a hushed silence in admiration and left them to wanting more. She involved the audience in singing and identifying the songs in specific ragas. She also inspired the local talents of Kannada Koota Ashish Ramakrishnan and Chaitra Ravishankar to sing along with her.

The concert was ended with “Kayo karuna nidhe” in raaga Bhairavi giving tribute to late Prof. Vamanamurthy the founder President of New Zealand Kannada Koota.

Smt. Sangeeta Katti Kulkarni sung every song with enthusiasm, an open mind and a desire to encourage the audience to participate.  She involved the audience in singing and identifying the songs in specific ragas. She interpreted the songs in a manner that conveyed pleasure and involvement of the lyrics and music to the audience. The audience was mesmerised by her vocal abilities. She also inspired the local talents of Kannada Koota Ashish Ramakrishnan and Chaitra Ravishankar to sing along with her.

Both the vocalist and tabala maestro impressed with their technical ability and competence.  This was balanced with emotive quality and expression using movement and gestures. Most importantly, the songs were paced out in a manner to get the right mix of complicated and vocally demanding songs without causing the voice to become overstressed. Thus the performance was kept fresh and interesting right through the long hours of the morning.

Shri. Ravishankar President of Kannada Koota welcomed and introduced the artists. Smt. Ratna Vamanamurthy presented memento to Smt. Sangeeta katti Kulkarni. Dr. Lingappa Kalburgi founder secretary of Kannada Koota presented memento to Tabala Maestro Shri. Udayaraj Karpur. Shri. Prakash Biradar Secretary of Kannada Koota said New Zealand Kannada Koota is privileged to have renowned vocalist Smt. Sangeeta katti Kulkarni and Tabala maestro Shri. Udayaraj Karpur from Karnataka India and thanked the artists, audience and other members of Kannada Koota who assisted in staging this enchanting Musical programme the first of its kind in New Zealand.