Seamless sibling synergy defined Akkarai Sisters’ concert

Sibling duets are not new to Carnatic music audiences. Akkarai Sisters — S. Subhalakshmi and S. Sornalatha — are well-known and established duo in the Carnatic music circle, excelling both as violinists and vocalists. And when on stage, the sisters are completely in sync as far as musical prowess and understanding are concerned.

They began their two-and-half hour vocal recital with Tyagaraja’s ‘Meru samana’ with a swara adjunct at ‘Kalamuna sobillu’. The briskness continued with Tyagaraja’s ‘Yochana kamala’ in raga Darbar, enlivened by swarakalpana on the pallavi.

An elaborate raga exposition of Thodi, initiated by Sornalatha, was continued by Subhalakshmi. The sisters made sure all the characteristics of the ragas were conveyed. As their voices effortlessly traversed the upper registers, they shaped a compelling portrait of Thodi. The rarely-sung Tyagaraja kriti ‘Tappai bratiki pova tarama’ was rendered with a captivating chittaswaram. The kalpanaswara exchanges were on the pallavi line. 

There was a shift in the mood with Purandaradasa’s composition ‘Rama rama yeniro’ in a lively Vasantha. An active swara adjunct was added to this piece as well.

Muthuswami Dikshitar’s ‘Mamava pattabhi rama’ in Manirangu was rendered next. The main focus was on the elaborate exposition of Varali, yet another sombre raga, sung with poignant phrases. Tyagaraja’s ‘Eti janmamidi’ was their choice here, and they conveyed well the emotions in it. The niraval at ‘Sagara sayanuni’ highlighted the raga bhava and the composer’s bhakti towards Rama. The swara exchanges were centered on shadjam seaguing into tani avartanam by S. Sundarkumar on the mridangam and S. Karthick on the ghatam.

Akkarai Sisters accompanied by Sruthi Sarathy on the violin, S. Sundarkumar on the mridangam and S. Karthick on the ghatam.
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Special Arrangement

The audience were in for a pleasant surprise. After the initial exchanges between Sundarkumar and Karthick, Sornalatha joined the tani with konnakkol, normally considered the forte of men — thus adding more weight to the rhythmic exchanges. The session drew a huge round of applause from the rasikas.

Sruthi Sarathy supported the sisters on the violin with a good comprehension of the duo’s proficiency, and played her part with sensitivity.

The concert concluded with Dikshitar’s ‘Rama rama ramkali’ set in raga Ramkali, tinged with a Hindustani flavour, and Papanasam Sivan’s ‘Ramanai bhajithal’ in raga Maund.