Vocalist Karthik, with U. Rajesh on the Mandolin and Selvaganesh on the kanjira at ‘Memories and Melodies’, a tribute show for Mandolin Srinivas and Zakir Hussain.
| Photo Credit: RAGU R

When art and emotion intertwine, magic happens. The 10th edition of ‘The Great Mandolin Show: Melodies and Memories’ was one such evening. It was a heartfelt tribute to two musical titans, Mandolin U. Srinivas and Ustad Zakir Hussain. It wasn’t just about revisiting their brilliance and embracing their everlasting influence, but celebrating their music which continues to inspire and resonate across generations.

Gathered under one roof was a formidable line-up of artistes bound by music and shared admiration for the legends: Mandolin U. Rajesh, Stephen Devassy, Lydian Nadhaswaram, Steven Samuel Devassy, Karthik, Rajesh Vaidhya, Devi Sri Prasad, Selvaganesh, Sivamani, Fazal Qureshi and Harmeet Manseta.

Mandolin U. Rajesh, with Stephen Devassy, Karthik, Selvaganesh, Sivamani and team at the tribute concert held in memory of Mandolin Srinivas and Zakir Hussain.
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

The show opened with U. Rajesh, accompanied by the young piano prodigy Lydian and the dynamic Steven. Invoking Ganesha with ‘Gananayakaya’, it then transitioned into ‘Hidden Trails’, a composition by Srinivas that Rajesh revealed was very close to his heart. The piece, recorded for what would have been Srinivas’s final album, resonated through the hall as Lydian’s tuneful keys melted into Rajesh’s intricate gamakas, layered by Steven’s pulsating bass. As visuals of Srinivas played in the backdrop, the air thickened with emotion, serving as a fitting, heartwarming tribute.

The energy shifted with ‘Tabla Tuning’, a classic from Shakti’s iconic LP, inspired by a cassette gifted to Rajesh by ghatam maestro Vikku Vinayakram. The chemistry between Lydian and Steven was electric, their konnakol duel lighting a spark that rippled through the audience.

Karthik with Harmeet Manseta on the keys and U. Rajesh on the mandolin.
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

Karthik set the stage for the magnificent ‘Mahaganapatim’, alongside Sivamani’s rhythm with beads, bells, and water sounds. Harmeet Manseta’s keystrokes added depth, flowing effortlessly into ‘That One Note’, where Rajesh pushed the boundaries of Hindolam by adding an extra note. It felt surreal as Jazz met Carnatic, and past met present. 

The stage then erupted into a kaleidoscope of sound as Stephen’s high-frequency keytar clashed and harmonised with Harmeet’s jazz swing, while Sivamani’s drum rolls collided with Selvaganesh’s rapid-fire kanjira. The piece took a turn towards folk rhythms, when jazz chords met earthy beats.

On the occasion, culture curators Lakshmi and Saraswathi who helped put the show together, shared their personal bond with Ustad Zakir Hussain. Also, Fazal Qureshi was presented with the ‘Mandolin Srinivas Award’ by Srinivas’s father.

Artistes at the Memories and Melodies, a tribute show dedicated to Mandolin Srinivas and tabla wizard Zakir Hussain.
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

The rhythm of the night reached its peak with a signature Shakti piece, beginning with a korvai and spiralling into a thani avartanam. Fazal, Selvaganesh, and Sivamani then engaged in a collaborative exercise. Their seamless synergy, combined with the audience’s rhythmic clapping, transformed the concert hall into a pulsating instrument of its own.

Then, Devi Sri Prasad took centre stage along with Rajesh Vaidhya on the veena for a special Maha Shivratri performance. As the evening surged into its grand finale, every artiste returned to the stage for Sadashiva Brahmendrar’s ‘Pibare ramarasam’. It was no longer a performance — it turned into a jubilant offering and a collective celebration of music.