Kartik Fine Arts @ NGS Main Hall, 7.00pm, 02/12/2009
Ninne Bhajana - Nattai - T (s)
Chalamelara - Margahindolam - T (s)
Annapurne - Sama - MD (r, s)
Yaro Ivar Yaro - Saveri - AK
Enadu Manam - Harikambhoji - PS (r, n, s, t)
Shri Madhava - Behag - PS
Villanaiyotta - Kavadi Chindu
Tillana - Hamsanandi - GNB
Mangalam
The concert started on a sombre note... Shri. Ramanujam, secretary of KFA had had a massive heart attack and passed away on Tuesday night at the conclusion of the KFA inaugural programme, right inside the auditorium! Smt. Sowmya started off with a few words, reminiscing about her association with Shri. Ramanujam and his son who happened to be her classmate. She dedicated the concert to him. Naturally one could expect a meditative, contemplative concert and that is exactly what transpired... in fact, in the post-main Behag piece she dwelt for long with some beautiful sangatis on the words "rAmAnuja" and "sUtradhAra" which I felt was a nice touch.
Ninne Bhajana set the right ambience. Some lovely swaras in Margahindolam, then a moving elaboration of Sama. Yaro was sung in the original Saveri meTTu, with some lovely sangatis. The highlight of the concert was undoubtedly the expansive alapana of Harikambhoji. One expected "Chani Todi Teve" as the alapana progressed, but Sowmya sprang a nice surprise with Sivan's composition.
The concert was undoubtedly enhanced by Embar Kannan's silken bowing that had such swara-sthana shuddham and Neyveli Narayanan, whose embellishments, especially for neravals and swarams was outstanding. Easily two of the finest artistes of this generation. A great start to the season for me...
