Smt. Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam - Hamsadhwani - Oct 24th

[HR]

Yesterday’s monthly concert for Hamsadhwani was organized as a tribute to Sri. G.N.B , as part of his centenary year celebrations. The accompanying artistes were Sri. V.V.S Murari on the violin, Madirimangalam Sri. S. Swaminathan on the Mridangam and Sri. B.S.Purushotham on the Ganjira.

The song list for the evening was as follows
1. Slokam from Navagraha Sthothram followed by Varnam - Evvari Bhodhana - Abhogi - Adi Talam
2. Jaya Jaya - Naatai - Kanta Chapu - Purandaradasa - S
3. Mana Vinalakincha- Nalinakanthi - Adi - Thyagaraja - R , S
4. Nee Daya Galguno- Shanmukhapriya - Adi - G.N.B - R, N, S
5. Vangum Enakku - Kamboji - Adi - Oothukadu Venkata Subbayyar - S
6. Kamalacharane - Amrita Behag- Adi - G.N.B
7. Karikalabhamukham- Saveri - Rupakam (2 kalai) -M. Dikshithar - R , S , T
8. Virutham - Kapi , Hamsanandhi , Sindhu Bhairavi - Arul Seyya Vendumayya - Adi - Rasikipriya - Koteeswara Iyer
9. Bhajo Madhura Hari Naam Nirantara - Kabir Bhajan - HindustaniTodi - Eka
10. Kurai Ondrum Illai - Ragamalika - Adi - C. Rajagopalachari
11. Thillana - Amritavarshini - Adi - M.Balamuralikrishna

The concert commenced with the Slokam ‘Neelanjana Samaabhaasam’, the Navagraha Stothram on Saniswaran, in Abhogi ragam. This was followed by a fast paced rendition of Abhogi Varnam, setting the stage for the rest of the evening. Jaya Jaya Jaya Janaki Kantha in Naatai came next, with a quick set of kalapana swarams at ‘Dhasarathatmaja Veera’. This was followed by a sprightly rendition of Nalinakanthi, with unique phrases in the thara sthayi and an inspired rendition by the violinist. The Thyagaraja kriti ‘Mana Vinalakincha’ had beautiful sangathis in the anupallavi and the song concluded with an interesting set of swarams. The sub-main ragam for the day, Shanmukhapriya was rendered next, and one had the singer discovering the richness of the ragam with an elaboration packed with bhavam. The song chosen for the evening was the G.N.B composition - Nee Daya Galguno. The nereval at the Charanam line starting ‘Madhava’, followed by kalapana swarams embellished the rendition


The next song was the Ootukadu Venkatakavi Composition on Lord Muruga - ‘Vaangum Enakku Irukai’, specially rendered for the Kanda Sashti day which was celebrated on 23rd October. The kalpana swarams ending in different phrases of the pallavi - Vadivela, Mayilerum and Tanikai Valar Muruga were unique and thrilling to listen to. Next came the main ragam, soulful Saveri, full of serenity. The Dikshithar composition in praise of Lord Ganesha, popularised by G.N.B was rendered with kalpana swarams in two speeds at the Pallavi phrase starting with ‘Saveri raga nutham’. The song is known for its lyrical beauty, and has a rich start in the form of swarakasharam - Ka ri (Ga - Ri). The song concluded with a Thaniavartanam by senior Vidwan Shri Swaminathan, ably accompanied by Sri Purushotham on the Ganjira..

The Thukkada portion included an interesting line up, starting with a Virutham on Muruga in Kapi , Hamsanandhi and Sindhubhairvi. The grand ragamalika prelude was followed by a very expressive ‘Arul Seyya Vendumayya’ in Rasikapriya , a request from the organisers. This was followed by a Kabir Bhajan in the Hindustani flavour of Subhapantuvarali (Todi) . Next came a listener’s request - Kurai Ondrum Illai , followed by an energetic rendition of Balamuralikrishna’s thillana in Amritavarshini, where the jathi laden sangathis in the pallavi were executed brilliantly.

[balusatya]

*VS stands out in her own ,unique ,uncompromising and innovative style.* She formats the concert excelling in Raga ,Laya and chaste padantara.
* Normally She is being considered not a great crowd puller . As if to disprove of this myth, that evening prog.was very well attended.Those who came almost stayed till the end.*she has packed two GNB compositions one submain and the one in AmrithaBehag(Janya of Kalyani) with nice chittaswaram.Karikalabamukam-- GNB favorite - MD kriti popularised by him (Why not much heard these days?)in Saveri was elaborately treated with enthusiastic reply from Murari (volume for his mike is always higher).
*Kabir Bhajan ,I understand, is in "Lalit" equivalent to Subhapantuvarali.
*Rasikapriya-Arulseyyavendum- Kotiswara Iyer- the ringtone song of VS has become so popular with the audience who no longer refer the kriti-raga manjari for identifying.
*VS responding to popular requests is a welcome feature . But, I find the kuraionrum Illai did not fit in with the general tempo of the concert of the evening( with due respect to CR &MS)VS in the interest of giving varieties does not repeat I have noticed as far as possible more than one raga(attributable to) in each Chakra or similiar ones.( one can easily analyse from the current list given by Harini)had to repeat Sindubhairavi.

*Sri Swaminathan was full of anticipation esp. while playing for Murari.
*Purushothaman I found was not in his normal form.In thani he was looking more enthusiastic.

[ravisk]

I was there at this concert for sometime until the main raga. Manavinala was good. but the song in shanmukhapriya was brilliant, the niraval and swaras in particular were sung beautifully. her voice was in great shape.

[PUNARVASU]

mods, there are two more threads-having the same contents.(first post)

[malavi]

Smt.Vijayalakshmi was in good form and the concert was well attended.The swarams for nalinakanthi and kambodhi were very good.The kandaralankaram sung in ragamalika was full of bhavam.The rasikapriya kriti was a nice one.special mention must be made regarding the violinist Murari.he was excellent.
The raaga of kabir bhajan is lalith similar to subhapanthuvarali.