38th Annual Classical Arts Spring Music Festival in Houston

By Partha Krishnamurthy

PEARLAND: If it is spring, it is time for the Carnatic music feast presented by The Classical Arts Society of Houston. The 38th Annual Spring Music Festival is being presented on the 25 and 26 of April, at the Sri Meenakshi Temple, Pearland.

This festival presents a series of musical offerings anchored by two concerts that would be top draws in Carnatic music anywhere in the world, Sri Sanjay Subrahmanyan and his entourage on Saturday, April 25, and the Malladi Brothers and party on Sunday, April 26.

Sanjay represents the epitome of classicism presenting the timeless compositions in their most authentic interpretations. Even so, he has been rummaging the almirahs of composers of yore, unearthing rare pieces and  presenting them in his own inimitable style.

Sanjay is accompanied by Sri. V. Varadharajan on the violin and by Sri Neyveli B. Venkatesh on the mridangam.

On Sunday, April 26, we present the Malladi Brothers and party. The Malladi Brothers, who have stamped the Carnatic music scene with their vibrant voices, are known for their stoutly classical yet immensely popular interpretations of the known and unknown items from the vast reservoir of Carnatic music.  The Malladi Brothers will be accompanied by Sri Embar Kannan on the violin, and Sri Neyveli S. Narayanan on the mridangam.

This year’s edition of the music festival is organized around the theme of health and wellness as described and experienced in Carnatic music. Accordingly, in addition to the two anchor concerts, we present a panel discussion planned by Dr. Arun Mukhopadhyay of experts in the field of medicine and music. In addition, the presentations include an orchestra led by Smt Manjula Rao and several vocal group performances led by prominent teachers of Carnatic music, Smt. Rajarajeshwary Bhat, Smt. Chitra Dharmarajan, and Smt. Anuradha Subramanian, organized around the theme of Music and wellness. A classical dance segment organized by Dr. Madhuri Vasudevan program will complement the music programs.

We hope all lovers of classical music and dance will take full advantage of this special offering on Indian Classical Arts and Wellness presented by the Classical Arts Society of Houston.

Additional information about the Spring Music Festival is at www.ClassicalArtsHouston.org or call Prabha Bala at 281-242-4914.