Narada Gana Sabha, Dec 16th 2008, 4.30 pm
Samidayajuda - Kedaragaula Varnam
Sudhamadhurya - Sindhuramakriya (s)
Bale Balendu Bhushani - Ritigaula (r, n, s)
Sarasamukhi - Gaudamalhar
Eppadi Manam - Huseni (r)
Banturiti - Hamsanadam (s)
Kaddanuvariki - Todi (r, s, t)
Barse Badariya - Shuddh sarang (r)
Uzhikuttu (Bharatiyar)
This post runs the risk being labeled as a "plug" for another established artiste
However, I'll still go ahead as I wanted to share the sublime experience Sowmya created yesterday at NGS. I had already been to two Sowmya kacheris this season (BVB & BGS), but there's something irresistible to me about her deeply classical approach so I headed to NGS for concert no. 3. Looking very celestial & cherubic in a bright lemon yellow saree (yeah yeah we ladies note these things 1st!) against the dull blue regulation backdrop, her subtle phrases in Ritigaula & huseni seemed to match the delicate shade of her string of pearls! I know I maybe going a bit overboard here, but that was the kind of impact - both aural as well as visual - that she had on me yesterday. Specifically, she lived up to the reputation of offering a rarely heard piece (Bale Balendu) and it was done evocatively. There were electrifyingly fast swaras in Banturiti and the accompanists gamely tried to keep up. Todi was where she seemed to melt into the spirit of the sahitya ("Nidura Nirakarinchi Mudduga Thamboora Bhatti Shuddha maina manasuche suswaramu tho") and forget mundane worldly matters. Shuddh Sarang at the end was a surprise... Sowmya doing a Hindustani alap was a total revelation! Kannan was stellar - his unassuming but effective support embellishing the show. Sudheendra, always a capable and sensitive accompanist, Tani was engaging. I have to catch up on some other artistes this season before I head to MA on 24th for another Sowmya treat!