Sai Kiran and Sai Nivedita impressed with their vocal synergy and a well-chosen repertoire

Sai Sisters — Kiran and Nivi — are endowed with sonorous, pleasing voices that mirror each other closely in timbre and range. In their one-and-a-quarter-hour concert, at Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, the duo made a sincere attempt to engage the audience through a well-chosen repertoire and competent presentation.

Eschewing the usual Mohanam or Sri raga varnams, they opened with the vibrant Pantuvarali varnam ‘Sami ninne napai’ by Shatkala Narasayya, provding a vibrant start.

This was followed by a brief sketch of raga Sriranjani, leading into Tyagaraja’s ‘Brochevarevere’. There was a seamless exchange of swarakalpana between the sisters at the pallavi, with swars delivered in rapid succession. However, the tendency towards excessive loudness occasionally crept it. Whiel open-throated singing can be effective, stretching it beyond the accepted limit will result in compromising tonal balance. The duo should remember that maintaining extreme vocal restraint will keep them in good stead.

Sai Sisters – Kiran and Nivi, accompanied by Gayathri Vibhavari on the violin and B.N. Kasinath on mridangam.
| Photo Credit:
B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

The main piece was set in raga Kalyani. The alapana was shared alaternately by Kiran and Nivi, their voice traversing across the lower, middle and upper octaves with ease. However, in the ‘melkalam’ segment, their voice became shrill. There is a fine line between loudness and sobriety and this should be carefully eschewed.

Their smart exchanges in niraval at the charanam and the ensuing swarakalpana carried enough flair. Kiran and Nivi concluded their concert with an abhang.

The young vocalists were accompanied by Gayathri Vibhavari on the violin and B.N. Kasinath on mridangam. While Gayathri’s responses during the raga essays and swara passages were measured and restrained, Kasinath provided adequate rhythmic support , and presented a brief yet competent tani avartanam.