By K.B.NAIR

NORWALK, CA - Southland singer Preetysha held a “ Mother’s Day Preeti Bhajan Sandhaya” at the Radha Krishna Mandir here on the evening of  May 10. The function marked the 14th year the  annual event was being  conducted  in memory of  her mother Anjanben Shah.  Before commencing her musical tribute, Preetysha said she owed her  success to her mother who herself was a good singer. She opened the musical offering with the sloka “ “Yada  Yada hi Dharmasya” and along with her Shree Shakti ensemble treated  the packed temple crowd for the next few hours with a mix of  devotional bhajans, classical and patriotic songs until the mahaprasad  which was served an hour later than expected because of the demand for more songs  from the audience.

Her rendition of  the young Krishna and Yasoda story in “ Bada Natkat hai “ and   the  piece “Jyoti Kalash Chalke”  in raag Bhoopali  was particularly appreciated by the listeners. Also moving were her presentations of “Jananini jodh sakhi nahi jaderlol” and her salute  to the mothers of  armed personnel serving in different parts of the globe in  “Mere Watan Ki Logon.” In an appropriate ending she  closed  with a self composed song “ Maa”.

Also performing was Preetysha’s fellow singer Samir Walpola who in a  soulful solo delivered his interpretation of “Vande Mataram”  before combining with her to perform a  duet on the ever popular classical number  “Kuhoo Kuhoo bhole koyaliyan “ traversing  four ragas. Rajesh Devkaran  on the congos and William Lyle on  percussion provided support.