Reviews---Kasaravalli sisters

HOME BIO CALENDER ALBUMS REVIEWS GALLERY CONTACT

DHNS | DECCAN HERALD | BANGALORE | NOVEMBER 2011

A treat of rare compositions
Deepa Krishnamurthy and Roopa Kiran presented Haridasa Padagalu, a musical concert, recently at H N Kaladshetra. The programe was organized by Bengaluru Lalitha Kala Parishat.
Deepa and Roopa began their concert with an invocation song praising Lord Ganesha. They presented Gajavadana Beduve, a kriti by Purandaradasa, in a beautiful manner. The classical vocalists showed their expertise through their next song Kailasa Vaasa Goureesha Eesha, a famous composition by Vijayadaasa, which made the audience tap their feet to the wonderful tune.
The next rendition was Vithalayya Vithalayya, a compostion by Jagannathadasa. The kriti was presented with great devotion and involvement. Sharanu Shaarade Vaani by Mahipathidasa, Ninna Nambidavara Kaayo by Helavanakatte Giriyamma, Bhajade Hanumantham Manasaa and several other songs were presented on the occasion.

Dr. M SURYA PRASAD | INDIAN EXPRESS | BANGALORE | MAY 2011

Bewitching beauty of ideas – ………. In the concert under review, they did extremely well by singing a few rare and challenging krithis and ragas. Their duet singing relected the progress they are making in the performance arena. Happily accompanied by Mattur Srinidhi ( violin ), B S Anand ( mridanga ) and Phanindra Bhaskar ( ghata ), the beauty of ideas as conceived by the sisters, Deepa in particular, was there for everyone to enjoy.
The width of her alapanas in Poorvikalyani ( for Uttukkadu’s rare gem Padmavathiramanam ) and Shankarabharana ( for a raga, tana and pallavi Dasharathe Karuna payoinidhe inakul tilaka ) was artistically wider covering the salient features of the melodies. The opening Behag varna was followed by a quaintly heared krithi on Lord Ganesha Shivasutham bhavanutham in Dhanyasi raga. The intimate gathering was treated to a nice rendition of Thyagarja’s Chalakalladakonna ( Arabhi )
The well planned duet had yet another gem krithi Parama purusha by Swati Tirunal in Lalithapanchama raga. The excellence of the vocalists rested on methodically built up raga, tana and pallavi in Shankarabharana. The ragatravesed top ranges. The pallavi line was explored traditionally. The laya-laden swara elaboration recalled to my mind the sisters musical legacy.
Vijayadasa’s Kailasavas ( Darbari Kannada ) was extremently emotional.

Dr.RAMA V BENNUR | DECCAN HERALD | MYSORE | DEC 2010

Moonlight Music- The moonlight music of JSS math presented Kasaravalli sisters Roopa and Deepa this fullmoon day. Blessed with identical voice and looks, their singing is homogeneous. Whether it is a Devaranama , a Vachana or Alapa, their presentation is neat and perfect. They were accompanied by H.N.Smitha (Violin), A. Radhesh (Mridanga) and S.Manjunath (Ghata). They switched on to Devaranama and Vachanasafter a few classical Krithis like ‘Subrahmanyena rakshitoham’ (Shuddhs dhanyasi-Adi-Muthuswami Dixitar), ‘Brovabarama’(Bahudhari-Adi-Tyagaraja).

Combination of ragas The expansion of raga Kamavardhini was very good that lead to ‘Guruvina gulamanaguvatanaka’ of Purandara Dasa. An interesting piece was ‘Kailasavasa Gowrisha esha’ of Vijayadasa tuned by Hussain Saab in a combination of two ragas brindavana sarang and darbari kanada.

A melodious Shloka ‘Manojavam Maarutha’ in Vasantha gave a link to ‘Saari bandane’ of Purandara dasa. ‘Smariso sarvada Hariya’ inHameer kalyani was very pleasing. A meaningful suladi ‘Jagava suthihudella’ was followed by ‘Nee Mayeyolago ninnolu mayeyo’ in the ragaHamsanandi. ‘Manna madake’ (Pahadi) and ‘Chakorange chandramana’ (Ahir bhairav) vachanas of Basavanna were sung enhancing the meaning of them.

MYSORE V SUBRAMANYA | DECCAN HERALD | BANGALORE |OCT 2009

Dawn to Dawn Music - Padas of Gopal Dasaru " Yenu Sukhavo is a known pada which was in raga Sriranjini. While Kapadale was in Bageshri, the Yena bedali ninna was tuned in Hindola. They also sang Dayvirali and Guru Raghavendra neatly...."

MYSORE V SUBRAMANYA | DECCAN HERALD | BANGALORE | 2009

Vocal duet enthralls at Sri Seshadripuram Ramaseva Samithi - " The ‘Nathajanapari Palayamam’ was developed with Nerval and Swara, the emphasis shifting from one swara to another in each phrase particularly impressive. ‘Sukhi evvaro’ was rendered with good feeling and the celebrated composition ‘Mohana Rama’ was chosen for detailed airing. With their good voice, the sisters also sang Chalakallala, Ninnupogada Tharama, Eaga Madelo Ramadhyanava, Jayathy Kodanda Rama - were equally haunting for their lyrical appeal."

MYSORE V SUBRAMANYA | DECCAN HERALD | BANGALORE

ENRICHING MELODY AT RAMOTSAVA - “ Roopa and Deepa gave a vocal concert at the Sri. Seshadripuram Rama Seva Mandali. The rendition of the raga thodi had a detailed airing to it. “Kaddanu Vaariki” of Tyagaraja was rendered in the established manner. A garland of Kannada devaranamas were presented which were received with pleasure. They sang with confidence and melodic finesse and concluded their concert with a melodious thillana composed by Lalgudi Jayaraman."

MYSORE V SUBRAMANYA | DECCAN HERALD | BANGALORE

RAMANAVAMI CONCERTS - “ Kasaravalli Sisters pleased the gathering with their good presentation of raga and compostions. Starting with the evergreen “Vinayaka”, they chose compositions of different composers in the well known ragas. With their pleasant voices, they rendered “Swararaga Sudhar” convincingly”.

M SURYA PRASAD | THE HINDU | BANGALORE

FULFILLING RECITAL - “ There was a captivating flow of melody, rhythm, and maturity in the vocal duet of Kasaravalli Sisters . Gifted with a rich, resonant and resilient voice, they use it admirably. When such a voice and skill merges, the emerging beauty is inexplicable”.

S SHANKAR | KALAPREMI | UNITED KINGDOM

ONE VOICE - “ They appear to reflect each other at the same time as complementing each other through out the concert. This was particularly visible during their rendition of Kiravani. They brought the pathos of the raga without stepping the boundaries of the raga. One could feel the emotions and bhakthi behind their renditions. Enta Muddo of Saint Thyagaraja was an example and came out beautifully”.

S R GIRIDHAR | THE HINDU | CHENNAI

THYAGA BRAHMA GANA SABHA - “ The Dikshithar’s “kanjadalayatakshi” and Papnasam Sivan’s “Gowri Manohara” were rendered. While doing Mohanam alapana, which was racy, they warmed up and sang Tyagaraja’s “Bhavanutha” in an enjoyable manner. The saints compositon “Enthamuddo Entha Sogaso” was impressive. Varali was the main raga taken up for a convincing elaboration after withih Tyagaraja’s “Etijanamamichchiha” was sung well, the poignant feelings expressed in the song coming out well”.

KHALEEJ TIMES | DUBAI

KASARAVALLI SISTERS DELIGHT CLASSICAL MUSIC FANS – “ Dubai Consultate had organised a classical concert by the Kasaravalli Sisters. The concert began with a traditional varnam in Natakurunji, followed by Ganesha Struthi, Teliyalirurama in Denaka, which was attempted by the sisters in a different way. The main piece was Mariveri Dikkevvaru, where they showed their classical excellence and talent in Mano Dharma Sangeetha”.

CK | DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD

SHIMOGA SISTERS MAKE A FINE TEAM – “ Their singing experience came to the focus at the beginning itself with a sweet malayamarutham varnam and jaya jaya swami in nata of Narayana Theertha. Teliyaleru in Dhenuka and Inta Soukhyamani in Kapi, both of Thygaraja were two good songs which revealed the sisters good diction. After Anandamrita Varshini in Amritavarshini raga, the sisters rendered Bilanari, a popular raga for Patnam Subramanya Iyer’s Paridanamichite with a good impact”.

M K RAJGOPAL | THE HINDU | KOCHI

MUSIC FESTIVAL – “ After bits like Paratpara Parameswara in Vachaspathi, Saveri and Shanmukhapriya were chosen for elaborate alapana. The Saveri piece was Shankari Shankuru by Shama Shastri. But the most entertaining piece was Mamva Karunayam in Shanmukhapriya by Swatihi Thirunal”.

MYSORE V SUBRAMANYA | DECCAN HERALD | BANGALORE

KASARAVALLI SISTERS - “ Roopa and Deepa known as “Kasaravalli Sisters” are gradually climbing the ladder of success. They sang a dozen Devaranamas, mostly of Purandara Dasa – some popular and a few lesser known compositions. The vocalists started with “Satatha Gananatha” and improvised “ Smariso Hariya” in raga Hameer Kalyani. “

CHAGANTY | INDIAN EXPRESS | HYDERABAD

MELODIOUS VOCAL DUET - “ Kasaravalli Sisters sang for SICA at Ravindra Bharathi. Endowed with fine voices, the sisters impressed with their perfect unison and fluency. Starting off with a breezy Navaragamalika Varnam and an invocation on Vinayaka, the sisters sang Tulasidalamula of Thyagaraja in Mayamalavagowla with a sample of their swara improvisation prowess. Their Entamuddu in Bindumalini had a fine diction and feeling. Bilahari was another well built up raga effort by the sisters.”

HOME CONTACT | DOWNLOADS |