Gayathri Venkataraghavan at Cleveland Aradhana April 17, 200

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 18 Apr 2009, 09:23

Gayathri Venkataraghavan - Vocal
Ranjani Arun - violin
Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan - mridangam
TV Vasan - Ghatam

Of the three concerts that I went to today, this one was by far my favorite. Extraordinary from start to finish.

1. Amboruha - Ranjani Varnam - GNB
2. Gopalaka Pahimam - Bowli (swarams)
3. Kanda judumi - Vachaspati (Neraval at alanadu sowmitri, S)
4. Sitamma mayamma - Vasanta
5. Ninnu sevinchina - Yadukula kambhodi (N,S).
6. Sashivadana - Chadrajyoti
7. Sarievaramma - Bhairavi (R, N, S, T)
8. Viruttam - Saveri, Shanmukhapriya (followed by 9).
9. Om Saravanabhava - Shanmukhapriya
10. Saramaimaina - Behag
11. Re re manasa - Brindavana Saranga - Narayanathirtha

Everything in this concert clicked. The superb bhava-laden performance of the lady vocalist and the chemistry between the artistes (between the vocalist-violinist pair & the two percussionists) set the tone for a very pleasantly paced concert.

GV handled each raga exceptionally well. Several people including VVS remarked that the even the first few phrases presented all the hallmark qualities of the raga. This was especially true for the yadukula kambodhi. The Bhairavi was perfectly balanced. The raga alapanai flowed so naturally into the composition that it felt like it was crafted for that purpose. Ranjani Arun's return volleys perfectly matched the mood evoked by the vocalist.

Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan was his usual explosive self; he did play with much restraint and sweetness for the Ninnusevincina- a kriti that demanded no less from him. TV Vasan was brilliant. He was constantly breaking a smile and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the music that he accompanied. The tani showed signs of mathematical complexity but culminated in the inevitable crescendo that still make my ears ring. There were times when Sri Vaidyanathan would sustain a long and loud "dheem" and wait for the audience to applaud, but the crowd was not so indulgent. But on the whole, the percussion department embellished the concert aptly.

GV is a very gifted singer. This year's performance, in my mind, trumped last year's. The same chandrajyoti sounded fuller, richer and more evocative. Soon she will only have her own standards to live up to.

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As an aside, I must bring the attention of rasikas worldwide to something remarkable I witnessed during this concert. An elderly African-American lady made an appearance in the middle of the concert just by the front side door. I imagine that she was from the Cleveland State University (CSU) community; she seemed to know Cleveland Balu and others quite well. She was physically challenged and needed a walker to get around. She had a very strong presence, because of the African ethnic clothing she had on, head scarf and all.

I am just imagining what this event must have been like for her. A bunch of south Indians, deeply involved in the music of the evening and showing their appreciation by loud hums, beshes and sabashes. A large number of them keeping the beat with their hands and shaking their heads vigourously to the music.... tch tch tch sounds coming from everywhere. Gospel, anyone?

I don't know what the thought processes were in her head..... But I could see that she was frozen yet moved. Absolutely spellbound and catching every bit of the ambience and the magic of the oriental rhythms. I also managed to see the nascent tear in her eye. It is one thing to impress the NRI audience (largely tambrams emigres from Mylapore).... but to have your music touch the soul of that lady as it visibly did. This was very special indeed. I hope some of the others from this forum that were at this concert also experienced what I felt. Transcendence.

hindolam · Post by **hindolam** » 18 Apr 2009, 10:39

Seems to have been a very fine concert.

One small error-- her name is given as Venkaraghavan instead of Venkataraghavan in the header. Will the original poster make the correction

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 18 Apr 2009, 15:53

mahavishnu wrote: 2. Gopalaka Pahimam - Bowli (swarams)

Very well presented review, keep them coming mahavishnu.
2. Gopalaka Pahimam(S) - bhUpAlam- ST

DhwaniB · Post by **DhwaniB** » 18 Apr 2009, 16:11

"I also managed to see the nascent tear in her eye. It is one thing to impress the NRI audience (largely tambrams emigres from Mylapore).... but to have your music touch the soul of that lady as it visibly did. This was very special indeed. I hope some of the others from this forum that were at this concert also experienced what I felt. Transcendence."

Absolutely beautifully written mahavishnu. An endorsement that music crosses and transcends all barriers and one is a loser in life if one cannot appreciate music. A deep lover of music, one who appreciates this sacred art will always continue to treat the ones who possess this art, with absolute respect, and demonstrate by just listening and not indulging in activities that will irk the others around, or walk out while the concert is on...a very common event in here. I guess the Chennaiites are too spoilt by the free flow of music and musicians here and thus take things for granted.

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 18 Apr 2009, 16:18

rajeshnat wrote:
mahavishnu wrote: 2. Gopalaka Pahimam - Bowli (swarams)
Very well presented review, keep them coming mahavishnu.
2. Gopalaka Pahimam(S) - bhUpAlam- ST

Little more clarification to my earlier post

Actually I am not sure if it is revagupti or bhUpALam(karnatik.com says so). I remember vaguely two years back when in one of my one reviews of GV this was discussed.

I am pretty sure that there are two pAdanthara of this ST krithi , one in bhUpALam and the other in revagupTi(I think GV sings in revagupTi), but certainly bowli is wrong.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 18 Apr 2009, 17:25

rajesh, thanks for the correction. my mistake. It is revagupti.

How do I edit the title?

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 18 Apr 2009, 21:03

Mahavishnu,
Good to have one of your reviews after quite a spell. Please write more and bring the Cleveland ambience to us. Yes, would be nice if Ramanathan obliges us with more pictures.
Gayartri Venkataraghavan's singing has bhAvam. Period. Vidvat apart, it is that bhAvam in her singing which appeals to me very much.

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 18 Apr 2009, 21:27

Arasi, you are exactly correct-- bhAvam. Period.
Mahavishnu, you are picking up where Appu left off in Cleveland. A fine piece of writing, this one. Thanks!

mridangam.karthic · Post by **mridangam.karthic** » 19 Apr 2009, 01:09

did anyone play morsing in thsi concert?

Always_Evolving · Post by **Always_Evolving** » 19 Apr 2009, 08:08

Thanks Mahavishnu for your beautifully written reviews. Nice to experience Cleveland through these.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 19 Apr 2009, 11:38

Mahavishnu: Thanks for bringing Cleveland to us. Very well written reviews.

sama · Post by **sama** » 19 Apr 2009, 14:36

Nice review. Is there a recording of this concert that can be uploaded ?

ragapriya82 · Post by **ragapriya82** » 20 Apr 2009, 12:35

I agree. her singing is very appealing due to the bhavam.