Bombay Lakshmi Rajagopalan @ Tambaram 21.04.2017

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Concert for Sree Rama Navami celebrations conducted by
Saraswathi Vaaggeyakara Trust,
at Garodia school, East Tambaram, Chennai

Artists
Smt. Bombay Lakshmi Rajagopalan-vocal
Sri Melakaveri K Tyagarajan-Violin
Sri Kumbakonam Ramakrishnan-Mridangam

20.04.2017 : 6.45 – 8.55 p.m.
Pitch: F# (4.5 kattai) : e sruti box

The concert started with Varnam in Natakurinji. ‘Guruvarulum Tiruvarulum’ - kriti in Abhogi by Gowrisankara Sthapathi with a few rounds of brisk swaraprastaras. ‘Manasayetulo’ in a refreshing Malayamarutam (Tyagaraja) came in next.

An aalaapana of Pantuvarali preceded ‘Ramuni maravagave’ of Tyagaraja (Aadi taala) which is not very commonly heard in concert platforms. Neraval was most appropriately rendered for ‘Ramaramayeni harismaranana’. The kalpanaswaras too matched the mood of the theme. Melakaveri Tyagarajan on the violin followed vibrantly.

'Ganamurthey' in Ganamurthi raga was the next.

The slokam ‘Ramam lakshmanapoorvajam’ was imaginatively substituted for a brief alapana in Abheri for Mysore Vasudevachar’s famous ‘Bhajare Re Maanasa’ on the glory of Lord Rama. No better choice for a Ramanavami concert.

‘Kanchadalaayathaakshi’ in Kamalamanohari of Muthuswami Dikshitar was rendered next.

The main composition selected for the concert was Shyama Sastri’s celebrated ‘Sarojadalanetri’ with an impressive alapana for Sankarabharanam. Neraval was executed for the time tested charana passage: ‘Saamagaanavinodini’ with swaraprastara of imaginative laya patterns and interesting ‘kurraippu’ and a fitting korvai. Tani avartanam by Kumbakonam Ramakrishnan had all the essential ingredients and the instrument was pitch perfect.

The ‘Tukkada session’ included ‘Vandaan vandaan Bharathaa’ in Mohanam (Arunachalakavi). Kambodhi, Neelambari and Kaapi were the ragas chosen for the Sloka ‘Maathaa raama: pithaa raama:’ and followed up nicely with ‘Janakiramana dasarathanandana’ of Vaanamamalai Jeer.

A sprightly Hamsanandi kriti ‘Muruga Muruga ena nee sol’ followed (This composition of Gomathi Ramasubramaniam was often sung by DKJ). The Mangalam had the auspicious background of Haarathi performed for Lord Rama and the entire proceedings was meticulously supervised by Sri N V Subramaniam of the Trust.

Smt Lakshmi has a powerful yet pliable voice and the presentation is vibrant. The selection of kritis was quite imaginative and offered good contrast in the ragas. Hailing from Mumbai and tutored under veteran teacher Smt Balamani and Bharatiya Fine Arts, Lakshmi Rajagopalan has been active in the concert circuit for several years now. She is an ‘A’ grade artist of AIR Chennai. Doordarshan has also telecast her recitals.

Many of the concerts of the Vidushi are available in YouTube.

[arasi]

Thank you Sivaramakrishnan for your review. This is the first time I hear her name and I won't be the only one, I would think. The Mumbai artistes are not heard that much of. That's why it's good to have a review from you on one. She's an A Grade artiste too on the AIR you say. Wonder if she has been reviewed in our Radio Concerts thread (C.Rama and Ganesh mourthy might remember).

I haven't heard vandAn vandAn bharathA in a long while.

[thanjavooran]

Shri sivaramakrishnan,
Spending your retired time usefully. We get Excellent reviews from deep south. Almost all Bombay based are disciples of Tmt Balamani. Good song list. Mohanam tukkada a good selection.
With wishes,
Thanjavooran
23 04 2017