P Ganesh, Chitraveena for Chennai Fine Arts 03.03.2017

[Sivaramakrishnan]

P Ganesh, Chitraveena for Chennai Fine Arts 03.03.2017

Artists
P Ganesh – Chitraveena
B U Ganeshprasad- Violin
N C Bharadwaj-Mridangam
Nergunam Shankar- Ganjira

3rd March 2017
Sastri Hall, Chennai
6.10 p.m. – 8.40 p.m.
Pitch (Sruti): 5.5 Kattai (G sharp)

Sri T N Muralidharan, Managing Trustee of Chennai Fine Arts informed that they have been regularly organising special concerts in memory of yesteryear stalwarts of carnatic music. The day’s programme was in tribute to Devakottai Narayana Iyengar, a noted Vainika and a contemporary of Gottuvadyam A Narayana Iyengar- father of Chitravina Narasimhan and grand father of N Ravikiran. Thus P Ganesh, a disciple of Sri Narasimhan and Ravikiran was best to represent the legacy at the memorial event. Though he is more regularly into vocal concerts with his cousin Shashikiran these days, it is heartening that he has his prowess in tact with the Chitraveena too.

It was a highly fulfilling recital with the soukhyam element in abundance. The traditional instrument with its array of sympathetic strings is a unique vadyam. It’s a wonderful experience to listen to the strains when these strings are tuned to the notes of the raga that is to be played. It could be a wonderful exercise to music students! Chitraveena or Gottuvadyam is the only instrument which has dwi-sthaayi strings that can be played in tandem

Compositions rendered:
1. Natakurinji- Varnam-Aadi- Rangasami Nattuvanaar
2. Sourashtram- Saranusiddhivinaayaka-Misra chapu-Purandaradasa
3. Dhenuka-Teliyaleru rama-Aadi-Tyagaraja
4. Yadukulakambodhi-Hecharikarara-Khandachapu-T
5. Lalita-Hiranmayim lakshmim-Rupaka-Dikshitar
6. Goudamalhar-Sarasamukhi-Rupaka-Muthiah Bhagavathar
7. Aabheri-Bhajare re maansa-Aadi-Mysore Vasudevaachaar
8. Sahana-Thoongaapoikayil-T N Muralidharan
9. Jonpuri-Aasaimukham-Bharatiyaar

The varnam brought out the sahitya distinctly in the charana passages as well – the quality of a maestro in stringed instrument especially in Carnatic music. The swaraprastaaras for Sourashtra kriti was pleasant for a solemn eduppu at samam. Dhenuka was well presented with grand kalpanaswaras with a fitting korvai for the pallavi at mukkaal idam.

The ‘Sub main’ - a contemplative Lalita had a fabulous aalaapana. For the 4 lettered word 'Sthiratara' in the anupallavi, besides the usual swaras M-G-M-D Ganesh also used S-S-D-D perhaps to denote the stable (sthira) nature of shadja! Niraval and swaras at ‘Geetavadyavinodinim’ was compact and of course had the customary prefix syllable ‘sam’(geeta) to enable a catchy pre-samam eduppu!

Sarasamukhi (Goudamalhar) was played unhurriedly.

Aabheri aalaapana for the ‘main suite’ was nice. The ‘silent touch’ of the suddha dhaivatam just one time in the avarohana as if to please the puritans was certainly a ‘Ganesha leela’! Swaras at Pallavi were bright but devoid of any tantrums and well wound up with a compact korvai.

The team maintained perfect pitch throughout. The pakkamelam artists offered excellent support. While Ganeshprasad lent unobtrusive yet able violin accompaniment, Bharadwaj and Shankar handled the percussion section with élan. In the earlier segments of the concert, Shankar was seen maintaining a shadja sruti in the Ganjira- something that requires meticulous attention. The Tani for the main was sprightly with Bharadwaj rendering excellent Tisra kurraippus with the typical two speed Mohra - Korvai (of UKS under whom he is learning now) to a tumultuous finish. There was absolutely no ‘oattam’.

The ‘unheard uruppadi’ in Sahana was discovered to be a composition of T N Muralidharan on the glory of the Thoongaapoikai or the ‘ahoraatra kulam’ at the famous Uppiliappar temple, Kumbakonam. The concert concluded with a Bharatiyaar song.

Vidwans Sri Chitravina Narasimhan, Sri Haridwaramangalam Palanivel and Sri Kalidas headed a gathering of august audience.

[sureshvv]

Nice review! Thank you.

[CRama]

That was the best review posted by you so far.I do know Ravikiran and P.Ganesh (Chitravina) are close to your heart. The review shows how much you relished the concert. Rasikas should get more such reviews from you.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

The name of the Managing Trustee of Chennai Fine Arts is P N Muralidharan and not T N Muralidharan.

[thanjavooran]

Shri Sivaramakrishnan,
Very interesting review! A very good coverage.
With wishes,
Thanjavooran
07 03 2017