Smt. Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam @ Vani Mahal

[HR]

Date - 12th Feb 2010
Vocal - Smt. Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam
Violin - Smt. Usha Rajagopal
Mridangam - Mannarkoil Sri J. Balaji
Kanjira - Sri Anirudh Athreya

This concert was organized as part of the Thyagaraja Aradhana celebrations by Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, at Vani Mahal. The concert being held on Sivaratri day, the artiste presented an interesting song list, the main focus being Thyagaraja’s compositions on Lord Siva, including one of the Kovur Pancharatnams.

1. Sambho Mahadeva – Pantuvarali – Rupaka - S
2. Ramabhakti Samrajyam-- Shudha Bangala-Adi
3. Teliyaleru – Dhenuka – Adi - R,S
4. Ehi Trijagadisa – Saranga - Misra Chapu - R
5. Paramatmudu – Vagadhiswari - Adi
6. Bantu Riti – Hamsanadam – Adi - S
7. Sundareswaruni – Sankarabharanam – Adi – R , N, S , T
8. Rama Rama Nivaramu – Anandabhairavi - Adi
9. Vidhi Sakradulaku – Yamunakalyani – Adi
10. Patiki Haratire, Sita – Suruti - Adi
11. Mangalam – Sowrashtram

The concert started off at a brisk pace with ‘Sambho Mahadeva’ in Pantuvarali, with a quick set of Kalpana Swarams at the Charanam line ‘Gopuravasa Sundaresha’. This was followed by the bhakti laden ‘Ramabhakti Samrajyam’. Next came Denuka, in full granduer, and following a beautiful exploration of the ragam by Guru and the violinist, was the rendition of ‘Teliyaleru Rama’ with swarams at the Pallavi phrase. This was followed by the majestic Saranga, with the essence of the ragam completely captured in the quick alapana. The song chosen for rendition was ‘Ehi Trijagadisa’, and the contrast of the Prati Madyama ragam after Dhenuka added color to the concert. This was followed by ‘ Paramatmudu’ in Vivadi ragam Vagadhiswari. Following this was another of Thyagaraja’s vivadi compositions – ‘Bandu Riti’ in Hamsanadam, with Swarams at the Charanam line – ‘Rama nama me’.

The Concert’s main ragam – Sankarabaranam was rendered in full detail with very beautiful phrases gliding around Thara sthayi swarams - Ni Ri Ga. A detailed Neraval followed by Kalpana Swarams in the Kovur Pancharatna kriti paved way to a bright Thani by the percussion artistes for the evening – Sri. Balaji and Anirudh Athreya. The post-main line up was very interesting and brought out the artiste’s rich repertoire, with ‘RamaRama’ in Anandhabhairavi, ‘Vidhi Sakradulaku’ in Yamunakalyani and ‘Patiki Haratire’ in Suruti, all rarely heard compositions of Thyagaraja. With a good mixture of uncommon and popular kritis, and a grand and rarely heard Dhenuka Alapana, the concert was a treat for Carnatic music and Thyagaraja rasikas.

[mahesh3]

Thanks for the review. Such a beautiful list of songs and raga choices, Sundareshwaruni is such an amazing composition. The post-main items choices are indeed remarkable. Whose composition is 'Ehi Trijagadisa’? I have not heard this one.

[HR]

Hi Mahesh,

It is Thyagaraja's composition in praise of Lord. Siva . Since it was a concert for the Thyagaraja Aradana series, all songs rendered were Thyagaraja compositions.

- Harini

[ganeshkant]

The Dhenuka alapanai was well attempted.Shankarabharanam exposition inspiteof having all the required inputs failed to bring the grandeur.Paramathmudu and post tani were good.
Balaji's mridhangam playing lacked sowkhyam and he was playing for every aksharam of the main artist.Could have paused here and there.