Smitha Madhav, a popular vocalist and dancer from Hyderabad performed at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta auditorium in Atlanta on September 23rd. The concert was the first of her two-month long tour of the US to benefit the Hyderabad based Vegesna Foundation, an institute dedicated to serving and rehabilitating differently-abled children.
Speaking to reporters here, Smitha said, that she felt privileged to give concerts in US cities and was grateful for the opportunity to assist in the noble cause espoused by the Vegesna foundation.
The Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta (TAMA) and the Hindu Temple of Atlanta sponsored the Atlanta concert.
Smitha Madhav displayed her versatility in both Bharatanatyam and Carnatic vocal music in for over three hours. Mastering one art is like a penance. It’s unique for somebody to mastering two equally demanding arts that require vigorous and grilling sadhana for years.
Smitha presented “Maladi “, an invocation prayer followed by Varnam, Annamayya Kirtan and Tillana. In the second part of the concert Smitha Madhav rendered popular Carnatic vocal songs. A distinguished orchestra consisting Kubakonam Atma Rao Gajendran on Nattuvangam, Nagi S. Narayanan on Mridangam and Kanakam Chandra Rao on violin ably supported her. All are from India touring with Smitha. The entire troupe performed with ease and captivated the attention of the audience.
The emcee for the evening was Dr. Seshu Sarma, a well-known cultural activist and organizer of music and dance performances here. In her opening remarks, Dr. Seshu Sarma said, “We keep seeing talented musicians and we have a talented dancers. But we have here today amongst us a tender young lady who got national and international recognition as Ubhaya kala praveena in dance and music. Smitha has accomplished so many things beyond her age.” Dr. Sarma added that she has seen many dancers, but the striking thing about Smitha’s performance is her emphasis on footwork.
Earlier, a documentary on the working of the Vegesna Foundation and its various projects in helping the disabled children were screened. At the end TAMA and the Hindu Tmple of Atlanta felicitated the artistes. The local Indian community felicitated Vamsee Ramaraju and presented a recognition award for his tireless social work. It may not be out of place to mention here that Vamsee Ramaraju was instrumental in organizing TAMA’s scholarship award presentation ceremony at the Ravindra Bharati, Hyderabad on July 29th.
Smita’s second concert was held on Sunday, September 24 at Technical college auditorium in Green Ville, South Carolina State.
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