Unnikrishnan's concert review

the_kasl · Post by **the_kasl** » 02 Jan 2010, 01:29

I didn't find a single review on Unnikrishnan's concerts during December season. Can someone give me the reviews of his various concerts. Am now in States for a short visit and hence this wish to know.

Thanks in anticipation

the_kasl · Post by **the_kasl** » 02 Jan 2010, 21:18

Honestly, am surprised that not a single review has come on Unni's concerts during the december season. Disappointed.

Rasika911 · Post by **Rasika911** » 03 Jan 2010, 06:01

His fan base isnt huge on rasikas...im not sure if there is any reason for that

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 03 Jan 2010, 08:29

Rasika911 wrote:His fan base isnt huge on rasikas...im not sure if there is any reason for that

So are fan base for OS Arun, Yesudas, Rama Varma, and the list will go on

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 03 Jan 2010, 08:34

We have a member base that is big enough to include fans of all artists. May be there are folks who do not like to write a detailed review. For such members, we have a thread. http://rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php? ... eport.html

We encourage you to register your concert attendance and thoughts in a free form fashion with or without a song list.

karthikbala · Post by **karthikbala** » 04 Jan 2010, 10:39

Rasika911 wrote:His fan base isnt huge on rasikas...im not sure if there is any reason for that

The vast majority of rasikas do not post on internet fora. Even on this forum, the list of regular posters is quite small really, especially if you exclude the claques that come and go sporadically like a rash. There are also probably a lot of rasikas who just "lurk" or download clips without posting. This is my impression, based on viewing and download stats for the links I post here periodically. The ratio is even more skewed, for instance, on geetham.net where posts are fewer and downloads are much higher, compared to rasikas.org

Also, my observation based on post-concert questionnaires in Chennai over the last couple of years is that only 20-25% concert attendees provide an email address...

koyaliya · Post by **koyaliya** » 05 Jan 2010, 15:06

Perhaps Unni's fans are just like him, in that they lack the 'azhuttham' that most people say he lacks, and that is why they (we) do not post much

I cannot claim, for various reasons, to be an expert on Unni or Carnatic music, but I enjoy his kutcheris and can provide a recap of Unni in the 2010 season from my notes.

Unni @ BVB
Vittal, Pathri, ?, Ganesh
Mayatheetha - Mmg
Karuna Elakanti - Varali
Nathaloludai - Kalyanavasantham
Karthikkeya Gangeya - Thodi
Shrichakraraja, Bantanagi, Villinaiotha, Thillana - Hamsanandi

He did an excellent job with Kalyanavasantham. Karthikkeya Gangeya was beautiful as well, though if he could have spent a little more time on it it would have been better. Bantanagi, by Kanakadasa was set to Shubha Panthuvarali and was sung with apt humility.

Unni @ KFA
RKSK, Pathri, V. Suresh, Ganesh
Varalenthu - Gurjari
Pankajaksha - Thodi
Aparadamula - Lathangi
Intha Soukya - Kapi
Chidambaram Poi Neer- Sama
Sarigada Ninnu, Panimathi mukhi, Villinai otha puruvam, Vijayagopala the

I especially liked his Thodi and Panimathimukhi in Ahiri; the latter is a manipravalam padam of Swathi Thirunal.

Unni @ BGS
Akkarai Subbalakshmi, Neyveli, SV Ramani, Bhuvaneshwar
One of the best concerts for the season
Vadera deivamu - Panthuvarali
Smarane Sukha - Janaranjani
Sabeshan Servadi - Saveri
Andari Sundari - Karaharapriya
RTP - Kalyani (Kanakkidaikkumo Sabesan Darishanam)
Kunithado krihna, Srichakraraja, Yake Nirdaya, Vijayagopalathe

Hard to say which I liked best. Andari Sundari still runs through my brain though. The RTP ended with swaras in Bahudari, Ranjani and Kapi. Happily, there were no konashtais or sheshtais to report.

Unni@ Vani Mahal
RKSK, Trichy Sankaran, SV Ramani, Ganesh
Vandeham jagath - Hamsadwani
Inthakante - Kanada
Marivre - Shanmughapriya
Nathanai Nambumbothare - (Ashtadasha Krithi)
Dorakuna itu vani - Bilahari
Pibare Ramarasam, Raddha Sametha, Aravinda Lochanane, Natha Hare

This concert I must confess, although I *loved* his Intha Kante, and the Bilahari Aalapanai was fascinating, I was a little preoccupied towards the end by the smell of fresh made dosai and vadai in the canteen right outside (I guess Ramarasam was not enough to quell hunger pangs ÃƒÂ¯Ã‚Â

CRama · Post by **CRama** » 05 Jan 2010, 17:07

Dear Koyaliya, God! You attended 12 concerts of Unnikrishnan alone. Hats off to you. You would have attended more than 30-40 concerts this season. It was so nice of to you to record and give the details of all the concerts you attended. Well done. Keep it up.

the_kasl · Post by **the_kasl** » 05 Jan 2010, 22:26

Thank you Koyaliya. Was very happy to go thro' your complete review.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 05 Jan 2010, 22:49

Good to read your reviews, koyaliya

koyaliya · Post by **koyaliya** » 06 Jan 2010, 11:55

It is no great feat, Mr. CRama! Many concert-goers attend 1 a day in the month of December, a time when the problem is not so much finding kutcheris to attend as it is finding *which* kutcheri to attend.
i confess, when i have a choice, i pick unni over others, simply because he is a gem of a person with not an arrogant bone in his body. and he has technical expertise and a nice repertoire, to boot.

CRama · Post by **CRama** » 06 Jan 2010, 12:23

Mr.Koyaliya, Unnikrishnan is singing for Mudhra in Infosys Hall, Ramakrishna Mission School, Bazulla Road, T.Nagar on 10 Jan, Sunday and I will attend that concert. Pl ease come for the concert and call me in my mobile 9445-70656. We will meet and have a good time hearing Unnikrishnan.

CRama · Post by **CRama** » 06 Jan 2010, 12:23

Mr, Koyaliya, my mobile no is 9445070656.

Akshara · Post by **Akshara** » 06 Jan 2010, 19:58

OMG Koyaliya..thanks for the very exhaustive list...that was a great insight. Yes, there were hardly any of Unni's reviews from rasikas but it could also be that the attendance of back to back concerts, then soaking in the beauty of the music gives little time to take to the computer and give in views/ reviews...at least thats the case with me..the last fortnight has been a great roller coaster.

We indeed get lucky when magnanimous souls like Koyaliya come to the rescue by releasing at one shot

=)
Thanks much. Yes, agreed, I too feel that while his music is melliflous, the azhuttham is evasive at times. But the song lists are a neat selection indeed.

the_kasl · Post by **the_kasl** » 06 Jan 2010, 20:10

Anyone attended Unni's Music Academy concert? Any reviews please?

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 07 Jan 2010, 12:10

Great, koyaliya!
Gives us an idea about Unni's repertoire all in one go!
Nice that you could attend a dozen concerts of your favorite singer. A feat I cannot beat!
I see many of his guru's songs there. I also notice that he has sung very few RTPS--my favorite part of a concert.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 07 Jan 2010, 12:12

Kartikbala,
Relished your summation--especially 'the claques that come and go sporadically like a rash'

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 07 Jan 2010, 22:56

You say claque, i say rasika

Wannabe · Post by **Wannabe** » 09 Jan 2010, 12:56

koyaliya
Brilliant! We can all take a leaf out of your book. You attend so many concerts, are frank with comments and your own humilty comes through in the way you pay tribute to the artiste. Your review is a like a breadth of fresh air.

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 09 Jan 2010, 13:15

koyaliya
I hope you attend tomorrow unnikrishnan's 4 hour concert at mudhra and post.