Sourced from and thanks to Hitavada Cityline, 12 Nov 2010 (Nagpur)

The next was a scintillating performance by the Mandolin Sisters, M. Sreeusha and M. Sireesha. They also opened with the Saveri varnam. It is here that prepared schedules help avoid repetitions. Their Thodi will linger in the minds of listeners for a long time. It is not an easy raga to play on this instrument. Every note has a unique gamaka. Their rendering was soulful.

The kriti they chose was the heavy ‘Kaddanu Variki’ of Tyagaraja in Adi talam. The raga portrayal was shared well between them. The niraval was at the charanam line, ‘Niddura Nirakarinchi.’

After the kalpanaswara, the expected thani avartanam by K.S. Ramana on the mridangam and M.V. Subba Rao on the ghatam was sweet, but short, in view of the time constraint. There was no rhythmic exchange, as they chose to play together. The siblings earlier etched Simhendramadhyamam in all its charm for the kriti, ‘Kamakshi Kamakoti’.

What a Bindumalini that was! This ubhaya vakra shadava janya raga came into prominence through ‘Entha Muddo’ of Tyagaraja. The duo excelled in the presentation of this kriti. The Begada and Desh were truly classical. There is little doubt that the siblings will go places.

By H.Ramakrishnan

Sourced from and thanks to:The Hindu December 22, 2009