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Glorious Arabhi in Dubai
 ‘Shrutilaya’ in Dubai organised a thematic programme on Arabhi raga as a chamber music event February 13 afternoon. The event was very effective in bringing to artistes and the audience the enchanting beauties of the glorious Arabhi. It was entertaining as well as educative. Everyone was delighted that they were able to attend such a quality programme in Dubai.
The programme started with a beautiful invocation on Goddess Saraswati (Sri Saraswati Namosthuthe, Dikshitar composition) in Arabhi, crisply rendered by Arulpriya Manickavasakan (Grade 6).
Rajani Shridhar gave a descriptive demonstration of the raga. Being a gifted singer, she was able to describe the theoretical elements and substantiate her points by singing the phrases at the appropriate spots. This made it possible for everyone to understand and appreciate the message she was conveying. She portrayed the raga-lakshana, swara combinations that create the raga-bhava and went on to describe the jeeva swaras and nyasa swaras. She explained how each swara, when used in the right proportion, adds to the aesthetic beauty of the raga. She even touched upon the ragas that come close to Arabhi but kept her main focus on the raga of the day.
 Listening to a vintage rendition of the Arabhi raga followed this. Everyone enjoyed the delineation of the raga as sketched by Dr M Balamuralikrishna in one of his live performances.
The compositions in Arabhi were then rendered. Rajani Shridhar rendered 'Ananda Natana', a composition of N S Ramachandran. Anita Balasubramanian (Grade 10) presented an authentic alapana of the raga, which was followed by the evergreen 'Durga Lakshmi Saraswati' by Papanasam Sivan. Brindha Manickavasakan (Grade 9) came up with 'Maha Deva Sutham', a beautiful composition of the living legend M Balamuralikrishna. Her kalpanaswaras on the pallavi were brilliant.
 This was then followed by a veena recital by Radhika Baskar. Being a seasoned artiste, Radhika expanded the raga with her divine notes from the veena. The ragam and thanam were followed by a composition in
Arabhi.
How can a programme on Arabhi conclude without 'Sandhinchane'? All the artistes got together and sang their hearts out while rendering the third Pancharatnam, tasting all the beauties of this marvellous raga and paying homage to Saint
Tyagaraja.
Palghat S Krishnarajan provided excellent support on the mridangam for the event.
Moved by the way in which the programme was conducted, N Ramachandran, secretary of the Sri Ranjani Sabha of Chennai (who had come to see the programme as he was in Dubai) spoke briefly on the occasion. He said he could not believe that a programme with such an advanced and intensive approach to Carnatic music was being held in Dubai. He added that it was a wonderful and rewarding experience. He appreciated the efforts taken by the
organisers.
Shrutilaya’s programme coordinator S Manickavasakan announced that there were plans to organise many such programmes on various themes, mainly to nurture the talent of the local senior and upcoming artistes.
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