One of the leading cultural organisations of Mumbai known as Banyan Tree, organized a two day Mumbai Margazhi Mohotsavam at St Andrews auditorium in Bandra on Saturday 26th March and Sunday 27th March 2022.

Portraying varied colors, moods, harmony, melody, intensity and devotion of vocalists, and instrumentalists pertaining to carnatic classical music style, entertaining and enlightening the selected class of spectators. The performances commenced at 10am in the evening and concluded around 8pm on both the days.

One of the wind instruments used rampantly in any social or religious occasion, is the Nadaswaram. The festival commenced with the nadaswaram music played by Prabhavathi Palanivel and group, enhancing the festive atmosphere with invocations and salutations to the Almighty, with a harmonious blend of both music and melody. The next performing artist of the morning slot was the young and dynamic vocalist, Vignesh Shankaranarayanan, son of celebrated mridangist and percussion mentor,Mumbai Shankaranarayanan, Vignesh regaled the audience with the deft rendering of Tyagaraja composition "Aparama".

One the highlights of the festival was the son and daughter duo of the veteran violinist Lalgudi, Lalguidi GJR Krishnan and Vijayalakshi, it was quite exciting to listen and enjoy the harmonious blend of both melody and dexterity of the siblings. This was followed by a lecture-demonstration by Chithra Madhavan.

The post lunch session featured the Veena recital by Vidyanand Iyer and vocal by Malladi brothers. As usual Sudha Raghunath impressed the audience with her soulful vocal rendering. 

The Sunday morning session again commenced with the powerful Nadaswaram rendering by TMP Ganesan and Meenatchi. Akshay Ganesh played the violin with complete involvement, while Ashwath Narayan sang with devotion. Lecture demonstration was presented by Shriramakumar RK.

Dr B.Viyagopal enthralled the audience with his flute recital and Aishwarya Vidya Raghunath revealed her command with vocal recital. The finale performers included the dynamic mridangam solo performance by Dr Umayalpuram K Sivaraman and vocal by the commendable singer Sanjay Subrahmanyam. On the whole it was a grand festival of both vocalists and instrumentalists.

By Guru Vijay Shanker