Productions

Layalahari

LAYALAHARI, the percussion ensemble of Ayyanar College of Music, emerged in the year 1980 largely due to the ideas and dreams of Ganakalabhushana Vidwan Late Anoor S Ramakrishna and Sangeetha Kala Ratna Vidwan Late Bangalore K Venkatram. This is acclaimed to be a successful attempt in blending different forms of percussion instruments and melodic instruments, where the charm of rhythm of the folklore is not dispensed at the cost of tonal value. This troupe is currently directed and led by Ganakala Shree, Layakala Prathibhamani Vidwan Anoor R. Ananthakrishna Sharma. The members of this troupe are all students of Sri Ayyanar College of Music. This team has given innumerable performances all over India and other countries.

VrushTi

VrushTi is a unique percussion ensemble composed for Percussive Arts Centre. This was the brain child of Sangeetha Kalarathna Vidwan Sri Bangalore K Venkatram which was taken up by Sri Anoor R Ananthakrishna Sharma who gave a shape to the whole concept. This had a unique musical and rhythmical composition named “Pancha Janya” Pancha Janya is a thematic production where in various ragas, interesting and intricate musical and percussion patterns are woven in such a manner which brings out the most aesthetic imagination of music blending with laya. This production was composed in 5 different ragas, taalas and nadais. Most interesting part of this was, the way the laya preludes for each of the composition segments were composed and orchestrated in such a way that it used to land and synchronize with the composition. Vrushti has performed in many prestigious organizations such as The Music Academy, Chennai, Chembur Fine Arts, Bombay, T R S Academy of Music, Delhi, T V G Academy of Music, Chennai and many more

Layalavanya

This is a group of young and energetic percussionists who are trained under Vid. Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma. It is a percussion ensemble that focuses mainly on the classical elements of rhythm. There are mainly six percussionists who play Mridangam, Khanjira, Morsing, Tabla, Thavil and Jazz Drums. They also combine and play various instruments of different genres along with their main instruments as well. They collaborate with many melody artists in their shows. They play classical compositions as well as showcase their own compositions. Different styles of rhythms such as Carnatic, Hindusthani and western are presented in unison, which is brilliantly directed and arranged by their Guru

Folk ensemble

This is another brain child of Sri Ananthakrishna Shama. In this ensemble there are more than 50 folk percussion instruments from various parts of India that are being used. The folk genres presented here are based out of Rajasthani, Punjabi, Maharashtrian, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and many more. This is one monolithic composition that transits seamlessly from one folk genre to another with Flute being used as a melodic instrument that supports and gives the melodic folklore flavor along with the percussion instruments

Paatra Naada Vaibhava

Paatra Naada Vaibhava is the brainchild of Vidwan Anoor R Ananthakrishna Sharma. STOMP is an art of creating music without actually using any instruments or vocals (melody). It is a rare genre of music where rhythm is portrayed more. Eight of his students play on non-instruments such as Bamboo Sticks, Buckets, Glassware, Plates, Tumblers, Spoons, Bottles, Vessels, Trunks and many more. They create various rhythmic patterns out of it which are very enthralling. This also has an element of Konnakkol to make it classical. This concept, which was initially started as an experiment, has been a huge success lately. This troupe has given performances all over India.

Other Productions & Orchestrations

  • Composed music for a ballet titled “Kaishika”, which was staged in UK in February 1995
  • Composed music for a unique composition called “Paancha Janya” which is set to 5 different Ragas and 5 Nadais with interesting and intricate rhythmic patterns
  • Composed and directed an ensemble containing 25 different instruments with a very special rhythmic notations on the occasion of 25th year of Thaalavadyotsav, an annual music festival organized by Percussive Arts Centre, Bengaluru
  • Composed some interesting thillanas which is released in a CD sung by Vidushi M. S. Sheela
  • Composed music for 53 albums containing Sanskrit Verses on Hindu Gods or deities which was produced & released by Roots Music
  • Composed and directed an ensemble called “Naada Vaibhava” on the occasion Thaalavadyotsav-2015 organized by Percussive Arts Center
  • Composed several intricate Varnams and Tillanas apart from tuning innumerable compositions in dasa sahitya
  • Composed music for several dance ballets
  • Directed many orchestrations in which renowned musicians like Dr. R. K. Srikantan, M. S. Sheela, Dr. Suma Sudhindra and many more have performed
  • Composed music for an award winning experimental film Kaaraneeka Shishu, based on the childhood of Basavanna
  • Composed music and directed many orchestrations in various fields such as light-music, film-music, folk-music, devotional music, etc, to name a few