By Alphonse Mendonsa, Team Mangalorean, U.A.E.

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Abu Dhabi: 15 June 2012 was a most memorable day for the classical music lovers in Abu Dhabi. It is said:" Judge people by what they can do, not by how they look!". At the first glimpse of these five ladies gave everybody an impression that they were just ordinary house-wives, but when these Pancha Vidhushi’s started performing on stage proved that they were much more than house-wives.

When they started to play their musical instruments it was altogether a different story. It was one of the finest classical performances presented by any one in their category and they performed a most mesmerizing  Carantic Instrumental Fusion, anyone could ever imagine. Every time they performed a Rag they received a standing ovation and huge applause from the fully packed audience assembled at the India Social and Cultural Centre on Friday evening.

The musical concert titled: “ Laya Raga Sangamam “ was organized by Cultural Wing of Embassy of India in association with Ragamalika, Abu Dhabi. “Ragamalika” is a cultural association began in 2004 with an intension of providing service to the cause of classical/Carnatic music in Abu Dhabi, and it is entering the 8 year since its inception and this is their 75th musical presentation.

The Pancha Vidhushi’s of “Sthree Thaal Tharang” all women group were Smt. Sukanya Ramgopal on Ghatam, Smt.Yoga Vandana on Veena, Smt Soumya Ramachandran on Violin, Smt. Rajani Venkatesh on Mridangam and Smt. Bhagyalakshmi on Morsing, and they played the most wonderful and melodious songs or Ragas enjoyed thoroughly by the audience. The Ragas/songs were 1) Varnam - Ragam Valaji - Composer Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman, 2) Vatapi Ganpathim - Ragam Hamsadhwani - Composer Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar, 3) Anandam - Ragam Kuntalavaraii - Ghata Tharang, 4)  Paratpara - Ragam Vachaspati - Composer Sri Papanasan Sivan 5) Bhagyada Lakshmi - Ragam Madhyamavati - Composer Saint Purandaradas and also 2 Ghata Tharang ensemble in Ragam Madhyamavati,and Madhukaun and one English note in Ragam Shankarabaranam.

Earlier Mrs. Aparna Suresh from Ragamalika welcomed all the artists on the stage and gave a brief introduction and highlighted their achievements in their respective musical field. Smt. Anuja Chakravarthy (Second Secretary Culture – Indian Embassy felicitated the artists with floral bouquets. Mr. Sudhir Kumar Shetty – CEO – Global (UAE Exchange) felicitated Smt. Anuja Chakravarthy with a floral bouquet. The honorary guests present at the event were Mr. Sarvotham Shetty (President – Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi), Dr. Mohammed, Chairman - Global Asset and Mr.Abdulla Managing Director -Global Asset.

All the ragas they presented were of super melodies and at the end of every raga there was a jugalbandi(Intrumental Fusion) between all the artists and it was really a world class presentation and a treat to watch and listen. The rapport between artists was very friendly and pleasant. Smt. Sukanya Ramgopal, the main artist played seven Ghatams at a time which was a remarkable performance by a lady artist, and equally competitive were the other artists. It was indeed a great and most mesmerizing Instrumental Fusion which was enjoyed by all.

Prior to the final Raga all the artists were felicitated with traditional shawls and fruit baskets by Sarvotham Shetty, Dr. Mohammed and Abdulla.  Kumar Ayyangar of Ragamalika spoke on the occasion and thanked all the artists for their willingness and accepting the invitation to come to U.A.E. and perform. He highly spoke of them and their abilities and explained how Smt. Sukanya Ramgopal used to carry a ghatam onher TVS scooter in Bangalore and attend the programs and her dedication to the classical music and her team. He praised the ladies for their wonderful performance and wished them good luck in their future programs.

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