Report by Viju, Pics by Praveen Tauro Kulshekar

Mangalore, Mar 5 [IST 9.30 pm]: The power to keep the audience captive and make them cherish every moment, is the beauty of the voice of Puttur Narasimha Nayak. At Sangeeth Sangam, the monthly theatre organized at Kalangann on Sunday, March 05, 2006, Nayak cast has spell of melodious vocal music on the audience.

State Awardee Nayak, who carries the fame of being the one and only singer in Karnataka to have recorded over 10,000 songs, brought to his vibrant, music loving audience a mixture of classical music flavoured with Konkani and Hindi numbers.

His band of musicians including Satyavijay Bhat on tabla, Dhamodar Kumble accompanying with special effects, Yashwanth Kumar on clarinet, Madhusoodan Bhat on keyboard and the unbeatable Srinivas D Achar on the 12-stringed guitar, seem to enjoy performing more than the audience.

Began on a spiritual note, Nayak presented ‘Deva Di Tuji Charan Seva’ followed by Chaffra’s haunting poems.

Although the amphi theatre was thinly populated, the gusto of Nayak’s performance augmented with the lively music touched every heart.

Nayak, on several occasions, expressed patriotism and also maintained a secular stand in his songs.

The Konkani version of ‘Janani Janma Bhumichi’ by Kochi Ananth Bhat, Chafra’s ‘Raat Raat Rodlo’, ‘Vaare Vadol Tandi’ sent a soothing sensation among the audience.

Much applause was received to the all-time-favourite Wilfy’s ‘Mog Tuzo Kitlo Ashelo’ and the foot tapping numbers of Eric Ozario ‘Kalzak Vosonk Potantlyan Vaat’ and Ghav Go Chedva Tujo Ghav Go’

On demand Nayak performed Hindi ghazal ‘Chupke Chupke’ in his distinct style.

Songs of Dinakar Desai, B S Rao, Shantaram Baliga were among the other hits.

Addressing the audience, Nayak expressed his willingness to sing Eric’s composition as they are based on Indian music. Thanking for the opportunity to perform, Nayak said that none had ventured into providing an apt stage for Konkani artistes than Kalangann.

Nayak ended his two-hour concert on a patriotic note.

The presence of Francis Sirur, Kuwait was also recognized by Eric Ozario.