Why no reviews of NSG's concerts?

swayambhoo · Post by **swayambhoo** » 13 Jan 2010, 08:49

I have been noticing that, there is only one review of Vidyaarthi's concert so far. I had gone for 2 of his concerts - one at narada gana sabha, and the other day before at asthika samajam (wherein karaikudi Mani accompanioed him for the first time.)

Despite his daring selection of BNiroshta for the main at NGS (he sang Raja raja , the audience turnout was evidently less.

If I remember right he sang Nidhichalasukhama in tisra triputa in Astika samajam

Not only for him, i see that the number of reviews have come down a lot generally

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 13 Jan 2010, 09:24

You attended twice right, please post those reviews ?

Divya Gopalan · Post by **Divya Gopalan** » 13 Jan 2010, 10:35

Good one, Rajeshnat

couldn't hold my comment...no offense, swayambhoo. cheers!!!

mridhangam · Post by **mridhangam** » 13 Jan 2010, 10:44

Blackout by rasikas ???? hahahahah

JB

saravanan · Post by **saravanan** » 13 Jan 2010, 15:19

I attended the Music academy concert and came back disappointed.His voice was bad and he struggled.I think he needs to take care of voice first to regain his old glory!

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 13 Jan 2010, 15:50

I regret not being able to attend his concerts this time. I find his music absorbing even when he has trouble with his voice....several veterans have voices that are no longer in their prime...it is our loss if we can't look beyond that.

Nedunuri's monumental Mohanam brought the house down at the Academy in 2007. Yet even his most ardent fans would concede that his voice has become very frail...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 13 Jan 2010, 17:49

Vijay,
How right you are! NSG's Parthasarathy Sabha concert was an absorbing one. His singing that day, especially the BrindAvana SAranga RTP was so moving, I was at the verge of tears. I can get tired listening to sweet voices in succession, voices which do not have much else to convey. I can close my eyes and listen to our vidyaarthi's music and his musical phrases delivered in tranquility and it is worth my time and money. The cascading of his music has a soothing effect on me. His musical experience is something I am in awe of and when I get a glimpse into it in a concert, I am transported.

musicfan_4201 · Post by **musicfan_4201** » 13 Jan 2010, 18:05

Nedunuri's voice has become frail due to age but still it is golden

Neyveli's music is very special and exceptional in terms of manodharmam and the knowledge that he has acuired over the years. Many of his renditions is a real treat, specially the kiravanis.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 13 Jan 2010, 18:23

I did mention one of his concerts in the Concert Attendance Report Thread, with a few words of praise.

I don't do reviews as such, as I lack the knowledge to list out songs, ragas, etc.

music_is_life · Post by **music_is_life** » 17 Jan 2010, 10:12

I attended one concert of NSG and I wish I had not attended it! He seemed to have little interest in the concert and didn't appear to have come with any plan. He started asking a a few rasikas who had turned up for the concert as to what song he should sing and started singinging them randomly. And suddenly for one of those songs which audience requested, he asked mrdangist to play the Thani. There was no raga or swaram rendition for that song. Overall a big disappointment.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 17 Jan 2010, 10:31

When there is audience participation (by way of requests) it can be refreshing. On the other hand, it can also throw the performers off--with the inundation of requests, and distracting cross-talk. Neyveli, though he runs TV pograms in which he interacts very well, is a meditative singer on stage. Perhaps that was the reason the format of the concert (Carnatica's?) didn't appeal to you in this case.
In popular music TV programs, interaction is the mantra. May not work that well in CM, especially when it comes to someone like NSG. What I like in CM concerts is the concentrated effort put forth by vidvAns and vidUShis. The variety factor in CM comes from your listening to different performers who bring their own flavor of music to us.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 18 Jan 2010, 10:03

music_is_life wrote:I attended one concert of NSG...<snip>

Paraphrasing Aristotle, one swallow does not make a summer

Babu · Post by **Babu** » 21 Jan 2010, 11:51

I did attend his concert at Narada Gana Sabha. I could not sit through as I am used to his old voice. I have one of his CDs and I listen to it when I feel like listening to NSG. Great Vidwan. What has happened to his voice?

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 21 Jan 2010, 12:32

With any vocalist for that matter, my first question of concern would be: what happened to his/her music? In NSG's case (at least according to me and many others), it is alive and well and is flourishing

balu · Post by **balu** » 21 Jan 2010, 20:32

without a voice.you can include nsg with tkg league.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 21 Jan 2010, 20:49

So, that bhairavi (yArO ivar yArO?), that subha pantuvarALi (sri Satya NArAyaNam) , that saraguNa pAlimpa and to top it all, that RTP in brindAvana sArangA that I was listening to in rapt attention were all the result of my run away imagination?
I haven't heard T.K. Govinda Rao in a while. I have no idea how he sings now. Comparing vidvAns (for that matter vidUshis) is not a very nice thing to do either, I think.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 21 Jan 2010, 22:48

Men/Women may come and Men/Women may go.. but CM goes on for ever...
The musical demise of a performing vidwan occurs much earlier than physical demise. For some it is difficult to accept, but then they should realize that our (Rasika's) respect for them does not go down when their voice declines. They should gracefully pass the torch to their sishyas in the best interest of the art form....

GP296 · Post by **GP296** » 21 Jan 2010, 23:26

The art form stands to gain all the more with the likes of Sri NSG performing. Rasikas who think otherwise could introspect and try to attain a higher level of proficiency in music appreciation.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 22 Jan 2010, 09:36

To resort to the usual refrain---yes, tastes do differ.
I think CML is speaking of the older vidvAns here who need to groom several future vidvAns/vidUshis to keep their esteemed school of singing well and alive.

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 22 Jan 2010, 09:52

We seem to have these debates fairly often. I will re-emphasise my point: as long as there are rasikas for a vidwan, he/she should continue to give concerts! Is there really any need for anyone to complicate the manner and moralise?

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 22 Jan 2010, 10:42

I agree, Bilahari. Let the artistes thrive, and rasikAs too. RasikAs can pick and choose their performers and let the performers sing merrily to the gathering of those who favor them. Others can stay away and not comment by going to their concerts or worse-- criticize them without even listening to them.

mishram · Post by **mishram** » 22 Jan 2010, 12:22

>>Others can stay away and not comment by going to their concerts or worse-- criticize them without even listening to them.<<

I completely agree. If voice is the only criteria for enjoying carnatic music, I am afraid you are grossly mistaken. Without going into names, let me say this - we would not have had some of the greatest maestro's in our midst if voice was the only criteria.

Gurus/vidwans like Sri NSG are truly seeking to spread the joy of music and let us do our bit by not belittling their efforts. We should appreciate his efforts to give out the best despite his recent handicap.

Peace!