A unique Jalatarangini concert by Nemani Somayajulu

As a part of weekend programme the Department of Language and Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh has organised a ‘Jalatarangini’ concert of Nemani Somayajulu along with some dance items on Sunday at Sri Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao Government Music and Dance College.

Jalatarangini is a rare instrument and Nemani Somayajulu is the only artiste available in both Telugu States, who plays classical music on the instrument. Somayajulu who is basically a ghatam and mridangam artiste has accompanied music legends like Chittibabu and Mangalampalli.

Since the year 2000 he started concerts with this unique and rare instrument ‘Jalatarangini’. The instrument is basically15 cups and those cups to be filled with water to play the keerthana. The water levels will be changed according to the raga.

Somayajulu traditionally commenced concert with Muttuswamy Deekshitar Kriti “Vatapiganapatim bhaja” in Hamsadwani ragam. He continued with other compositions of Thyagarajaswamy like “Sarasa Sama Dana” in Kapinarayani ragam, “Niravadhi sukhada” in Ravichandrika ragam, “Samaja vara gamana” in Hindola ragam.

Nemani concluded the concert with the composition of Annamacharya “Adigo Alladigo Sri Hari Vasamu” in Madhyamavathi ragam. Audience enjoyed the concert of instrument and complimented the department for arranging such an excellent concert. Wonderful support was rendered by BVS Prasad on mridangam and BV Durga Bhavani on violin.

The second part of the programme was conducted by Chadalavada Anand with his students. The disciples presented folk items related to Sankranthi festival and some Kuchipudi dance items as well.