sangItamapi sAhityam

संगितामपि साहित्यम सरस्वतयाह: स्थन द्वयम।

एकम आपात मधुरम अनयदालोचनामृतम।।

(sangItamapi sAhityam sarasvatyAH stanadvayam |

Ekam ApAta madhuram anyadAlOcanAmRrtam ||)

Sarasvati nurtures us with the milk of music and literature which are her two breasts; Of these, music can be imbibed and enjoyed directly, while literature or Sahitya is nectar upon reflection.

Smt. Vishakha Hari’s concert was both “ApAta Madhuram” and “AlOcanamRtam”.  Smt Vishakha Hari is an emminent and exceptionally talented artist who has mastered the art of Hari Katha gaanam. Hari Katha, is a very rare form of art , which is very complex and demands many talents from the artist. Hari Katha exponent needs to be adept in sangitham and sahithyam. An artist to possess both these skills is rare. Rasikas are blessed with Smt. Vishakha Hari’s expertise in this rare form of art.

Smt. Vishkha Hari’s Carnatic Music expertise is par excellence. She is a born artist and Sangitham is in her DNA. She enthralls the audience with her exceptionally meliflous music. Her strong hold on Carnatic music is not only authentic but amazing.

Her expertise in shastra, puranas makes  her very special; One has to wonder if Smt. Vishakha Hari has descended from the heavens with Shri Narada’s lineage. As they say, the first and foremost Hari katha gayaka was Sage Narada. It is extremely hard for someone who masters Puranas, Shastras and Ithihasas at such an young age , that too with utmost perfection. Her unmistakable pronounciation, her command on Samskritam, her memory to remember the right quotes, from the vangmayam, at the right moment are unparallel. I would not be exaggerating, if I say she is the first of her kind snd there is no one like her in the world.

Her gracious presence, her attire and her magnanimous presence on the stage make her larger than life.  Her deep knowledge and understanding of Ramayana, Bharatha, Bhagavatham is visibly felt in every word she speaks. She is an ardent lover of “Sanathana Dharma” and her passion for Bharat(India) is evident in her every word. 

An innumerable number of times, I watched her youtube videos; needless to say I am spellbound everytime I hear her sing; Its gandharva ganam. I never had an opportunity to witness her live concert. When I knew she was going to perform in Houston, it was a dream cone true for me!! What a magnificent performance?!!! Words fail to describe the magic she and her team created. 

She chose to present Maha Bharatham in this concert. Her main theme was on the significance of “Dharmam” and “Hari Namam”. She started the concert with “Ayuram nama” kriti. She took audience into a trans with her anazing articulation skills. The rasikas , I am sure, were drowned in the blissful  world of ”Bhakthi” and ”Jnana” with the aid of her gandharva gaanam.

“Narayana ninna namada” in Shudha Dhanyasi was elaborate and exquisite!! The presentation brought up an immense feeling if Bhakthi for Narayana and evoked strong sense of emotions; A strong sense that, “thy name will save me” was felt by the audience. The exceptional skills of both Mridangam and Violin artistes have elevated the concert to a highest level.

As a pleasant surprise , “Endaro Mahanubhavulu” in meliflous Sri ragam was rendered. Tears started filling up my eyes as I was in a deep sense of Bhakthi for Shri Krishna as she explained how Krishna , the Lord of the Lord, served Sages and  Rishis in Rajasuya yagam. I had experienced a ”trans like” situation as I was experiencing real Bliss.

The concert was started with and ended with ”Ayiram Nama”, sticking to the main concept ”Significance of Dharma and Nama” 

It was a treat for Rasikas, An emotional journey for Bhakthas , a deep contemplation for lovers of Literatue/Sahithyam for intellectuals ; It was an overall ”Gandharva Gana Sabha” par excellence.  This experience of mine was like never before and never after - “न भूतों न भविषयाती।।”

I am sure the entire sabha was felt the same way!! Kudos to BKM for organizing such a marvelous event in Houston!!

I have captured an excerpt from this concert with my iPhone. You can enjoy some rare moments from the concert in this short video. One should never miss a concert if Vishskha Hari!!

https://youtu.be/BcYb_9qeDek