Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam at Rasikas Fine Arts- 25/12/09

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 27 Dec 2009, 09:18

The song selection for the evening was:

1. Navaragamalika varnam
2. Rama Ninnu Nammina- Mohanam-Thyagaraja- S
3. Shobillu Saptaswara- Jaganmohini- Thyagaraja - R
4. Tanigai Valar- Todi- P. Sivan -NS
5. Ardhanarishwaram- Kumudakriya- MD- R
6. Idhi Samayamura- Chayanatai- Thyagaraja- S
7. Sarojadala Netri- Shankarabharanam- Syama Sastri- RNST
8. Ranjani Niranjani- Ranjani- GNB
9. Nadha Sukham- Kantamani- Koteeshwara Iyer
10. Kararavindena followed by Bhavayami Gopala Balam- Yamuna Kalyani- Annamacharya
11. Mangalam

The accompanying artists were:
Dr. M.Narmada - Violin
Tanjore Sri. S Ramdas - Mridangam
Hari Hara Sharma - Ghatam

I wish to comment on the concert in a fashion that is probably not typical:
First Vijayalahsmi Subramaniam has reached a very high level of presentation that is commendable. She has always had clear diction, good imagination as well as perfection in technical aspects due to her hard work & intelligent approach. To this she has added & attained "NIDHANAM" which is a very elusive element which is a necessary ingredient towards greatness. I hope she continues this progress which many artists do not reach even after a long career.
The violinist Dr.Narmadha's exceptional abilities& talents are widely acknowledged& known. It was a pleasure to see her blend in with full co-operation as a team member & enhance the level of the concert.
The mridangist Sri. Tanjore S.Ramdas is a veteran who can be considered a veteran musician's musician. His total disciplined approach eschewing high decibel level playing characteristic of current day mridangists is indeed a throwback to the golden age of carnatic music. It is really a pity he has not had the recognition he richly deserves. He clearly proves Volume of Sound is not proportional to musicality; As a matter of fact he is proving control, subtlety & understanding the kriti can result in the concert level reaching great heights.
I also wish to confess that after sixty years of listening I may finally be slightly understanding the role of Upa pakka vadyam. Sri Hari hara Sharma- I was told he is related to Vinayaka ram's father the great Harihara Sharma- was brilliant with his understated playing but very subltle neverthless. I knew upa pakkavadyams had a great sense of sarcastic humour but now I realise their astute knowledge also!
While the choice in my opinion of the various songs made good sense to me items 5,6,7,& 9 were particularly quite impressively sung. No. 9 was particularly moving. I hope V.S. continues to perform with this level of involvemen in all her concerts. VKV

cksubra · Post by **cksubra** » 27 Dec 2009, 20:49

Two items I was very excited about was the Jaganmohini raga alapana and the kumudakriya raga alapana. both brought out the artists scholarship. Narmada was good in patches. Ramadas provided excellent purcussion with hari hara sharma blending in.

Gamakam · Post by **Gamakam** » 27 Dec 2009, 21:38

That was a great concert. Neraval, swarams at 'Thulli viLaiyaadi varum" in the thodiu kriti were particularly impressive.

I have heard GNB's rendition of Sobillu and nothing else till date. I particularly liked the sangathi, that was not the one sung by GNB. A welcome addition I guess.

Her delineation of Kumadakriya was effortless.

I really enjoyed the thani. The young Kanjira player matched the veteran stroke to stroke.

Of course, what can I say abt the Kanthamani. Esp. that being my request to her before the concert and she announced it too:-). My all time fav. of Koteeswara Iyer.

Sri. S.Rajam would have been proud of VS's Kanthamani.

One a tangential note, my write up on Rajam appeared today in the Dinamani Isai Viza Malar. I have posted it here: http://carnaticmusicreview.wordpress.com/

SugarCube · Post by **SugarCube** » 27 Dec 2009, 23:14

It was a very memorable concert. The artist surprises her listeners most pleasantly with each of her performances. She seems to grow with each. The Jaganmohini alapana was delightful. The concert on the whole was simply superb. The particulars which really held the audience were the Todi, Kumudakriya(which had people in tears) and of course the artist's specialities: Kantamani and Bhavayami (both of which also had people in tears).
The sloka was sung in Kapi and Sindhu Bhairavi and the transition from Sindhu Bhairavi to Yamuna Kalyani in Madhyama Sruti was (and always is) one small change with a great impact. It was very well done.
I completely agree with VKV.
Smt. Vijayalakshmy's concerts are always enjoyable to both the Pamara and Pandita audiences. She never compromises on the quality of her music.
Looking forward to her next concert most avidly.

deepika · Post by **deepika** » 28 Dec 2009, 03:12

This concert was awesome.It moved me to tears.I particularly enjoyed her brilliant swara renditions.

Gamakam · Post by **Gamakam** » 30 Dec 2009, 13:26

My review: http://carnaticmusicreview.wordpress.co ... shmisubra/