Accompanists-Vittal Ramamurthy-Violin
Manoj Siva-Mridangam
List of songs.
• Divakaratanujam-Yadukulakambodi-MD (S)
• Samajavaragamana-Hindolam-T (N,S)
• Smarajanaka subhacharita-Behag-ST (R,N)
• Padavini sadbhakthi-Salagabhairavi-T
• Tillai Chidambaram endru-Poorvikalyani-GKB (R,N,S)
• Virutham-Manada mazhuvada- Natarajapathu-
• Bhairavi, Mohanakalyani, Jonpuri, Sama
• Tillai sthalam endru solla thodanginal-Sama- GKB
• Slokam- Ayimuralimukunda-Kapi, Sudhasarang
• Kalaye yasode tava padam- Sudha sarang
• Ehi Annapoorne-Punnagavarali-MD
• Ramachandrayajanaka- BR-Kurinji
Ramakrishnan Murthy is bestowed with the essential elements of Carnatic music - sruti sudham, pliable voice, manodharmam, patantharam, stage presence etc in abundant measure. RKMurthy’s voice was in great form yesterday. The concert started at 6.10 P.M- five minutes in advance. The concert had a solemn start with the Vara kriti of the day and was ornamented with sufficient dose of kalpana swarams at the pallavi. Next came Samajavaragamana with neraval at Sweekrita yadavakulamurali and swaras were rendered at the pallavi. The swaras had very interesting combinations and were much enjoyable. Behag was the first ragam taken up for alapana. The six minutes alapana followed the contours of the ragam strictly and his aesthetic presentation of the ragam had many awe inspiring passages. The kriti of Swati Tirunal was presented well and neraval at Palitabhuvana samudaya Paramapurusha hare brought to the fore the myriad hues of the ragam. After the filler Padavini sadbhakthi, ragam Poorvikalyani was taken up for an elaborate portrayal as the main ragam of the day. The ragam was explored very beautifully for ten minutes and the song, a new one for me was presented very well with raga bhavam and sahithya bhavam complementing to give a veritable feast to the rasikas. Elaborate neraval on the lines Sabhaanathan tiruthaalai sinthanayil kondu and following volley of swaras made the concert an unforgettable experience. The swaras had very attractive permutations and swarakshara at sabha very intelligently applied in the swaras.
After the tani, all the tail enders were rendered with due raga bhavam and sahithya bhavam. Ehi Annapoorne was very beautifully presented as the last song. Very rarely you will get to hear this song.
Our forum members have expressed concern about his voice in many reviews. I don’t know how many of our forumites attended the concert yesterday. His voice was in great form. His full open throated singing combined with his flowing manodharmam made the two ragams Behag and Poorvikalyani most delectable fares. I have two observations. At 8 O clock, as per the practice in the sabha, a few of the audience left. But still 80% of the hall was full. From 8 P.M the tukkadas started and the concert ended at 8.30 P.M. He could have gone for a pallavi and the concert could have gone upto 9. P.M. On some days, the concert in this hall used to be till 9 P.M. Second, when there were only two alapanas, a big ragam like Thodi or Bhairavi could have been taken for the main.
Vittal Ramamurthy provided excellent support on the violin. His Lalgudi style bowing brought the intricacies of Behag and Poorvikalyani in a highly aesthetic manner. His swara replies were very appropriate. Manoj Siva, with the right volume and nidanam provided very good support on the mridangam. The tani for ten minutes was much appreciated by the audience. An excellent concert for two hours fifteen minutes.