Sri Jayateerth Mevundi, Sri Ravindra Katoti, and Sri Udayraj Karpur mesmerised the
audience at the 2014-15 opening event of Music Lovers Group, writes Shalinee Bhardwaj
Music knows no boundaries and so is the case with artistes. It was only natural that when three musicians from Dharwad and nearby districts of Karnataka — a land that boasts of a legacy of renowned musicians — performed during the opening event of Music Lovers Group (MLG) for the season 2014-15, the effect was nothing short of mesmerising.
MLG, now spearheaded by Gopal Balasubramaniam, Partner at KPMG, has been instrumental in bringing maestros in Indian classical music to the music lovers in Doha. Not only does it provide an opportunity to the people to listen to great artistes but also it is a memorable experience for those learning and practising the art of music.
The Ras Laffan Hall at Concorde Hotel saw a full attendance of audience eager to listen to Sri Jayateerth Mevundi, who is an accomplished Hindustani vocalist. He was accompanied by Sri Ravindra Katoti on the harmonium and Sri Udayraj Karpur on the tabla.
The talented trio kept a multicultural audience spellbound for over three hours, creating an aura of serene energy. As the famous music director AR Rahman had quoted in his interview for Peoples Magazine (Feb 2013 edition), Jayateerth proved that he is electricity on stage! His incredible voice, brilliant modulation, unflappable energy and the tranquil divinity in his renditions left the audience in awe.
Jayateerth Ji started off with a rendition in raag Marwa – Vilambit Jhoomra e Jago baware, which is a guru vandan; then he mastered Jog raag with O balameh in roopak taal and Saajan moreh ghar in teen taal. The audience were spellbound with Jayateerth’s complete mastery over this raag.
He further sang Piyo tho Manaat nahin in Mishra kafithumri. The Hindustani music at its classical best was followed by a series of abangs and bhajans in Hindi and Marathi in the session after the break, including a couple of abangs on Lord Vittal (visava vittala, ranga bara panduranga).
Such was the effect of this sublime journey of music that the audience joined him in singing Narayana the namo namo that was followed by one of his masterpieces, Baghyada lakshmi baramma. He concluded with a series of bhajans in Bairavi like Raghuvara thumatho, Payoji maine ram rattan and Baajere Murailya Baajere.
The accompanying musicians were a true match to this energetic performance. The fine control over the keys of the harmonium by Ravindra Ji and the steady hand of Udayraj Ji on tabla was a testimony to their well-earned reputation. What comes as surprising is the fact that all the artistes are first generation musicians, reaching the pinnacle of success through their commitment and love for music.
A few hours before the concert, the three artistes divulged in a conversation with Community, revealing a humble persona and a resolve to give their best to music. All the three musicians come from families of music lovers, inspired and supported by their parents to learn and gain mastery in their respective talents. “We never had this ambition of becoming great musicians and did not think of it as a career. We were inspired and encouraged by our family to learn music and instruments after they looked at our abilities,” said the trio, who share similar beginnings to their musical journeys.
Jayateerth Ji, with his melodious voice, worked with All India Radio and Doordarshan before leaving his job “to serve music in a way he wants to.” In addition to the many prestigious awards that he has received, his talent has been greatly rewarded with appreciative recognition by the legends in music such as Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Lata Mangeshkar and AR Rahman, to name a few.
Ravindra Ji is a full-time Commerce Professor in a Degree College in Bangalore. “I have developed my own balanced equation between my two interests. I love teaching as a profession, it adds a different dimension to my personality. Music is another part of me that I am seriously committed to,” he said.
Udayraj Ji worked in Accounts for many years before becoming a professor in music.
Coming from an unpretentious background, with normal ambitions and resources, these three artistes are role models for aspiring musicians. Despite the absence of a celebrated family inheritance of music, the one thing that binds them into a single thread are the efforts, inspiration and support of their parents that have ensured an unhindered pursuit of music for them since childhood.
But success never comes easy for anyone.
Ravindra Ji advises “absolutely no compromise on music. There is no alternative to full commitment and hard work.” Uday Ji suggests that “it is very important to listen to all kinds of music. Stay humble and listen to other performers.” Jayateerth Ji elaborates, “A performer should always listen to various other artistes. That’s how you can learn more and go ahead. If our teacher teaches a raga, we can gather more meaning to it if we listen to various artistes rendering that raga. Broad mindedness and an openness to learn from others can go a long way to ensure your success.”
It’s true that the artistes not only bring a piece of music on stage that calls for applause. They also bring along a journey in music that can be a motivation to many aspiring to reach that echelon.
The thunderous ovation by appreciative audience on this memorable evening kick started a musical voyage that promises to be full of verve with many such events to come, the next in line being Padmashree Parween Sultana’s concert.
