Vyasarpadi Kothandaraman - Nagaswaram @ Naadamrtaa

[sivapriya]

On 4th of April, 2010, Vyasarpadi Kothandaraman alongwith Vadialupai Anandan presented a Nagaswaram concert for Naadaamrta - an organisation started off by Mridangam player , K. Arunprakash. Velliambakkam V M Palanivel and Perambur T R Sethuraman were on the Thavil.

Before , telling you all about the concert , a small word about Naadaamrtaa, an organisation started off by Arunprakash, is dedicated to " experiencing pristine carnatic music " , ( their signature line) !

The objective of this organisation is to present , pure pracheena Classical Carnatic Ragas only, in the genre of Kalyani, Sankarabharanam, Shanmukhapriya, Nayaki, Dhanyasi etc. Also the songs have to be be that of Pre-Trinity and Trinity only. Two concerts have been held, the second one being the Nagaswaram concert mentioned above.

Now coming to the concert, Kothandaraman and co. gave a beautiful concert that evening. Kothandaraman 's Nagaswaram was specifically marked by Gamaka oriented melody, in an unhurried pace. It was so easy to actually sing along with this Nagaswaram. His presentation was marked by Patanthara shuddham , precise swara sthanas, effective use of jarus and ease of playing in all octaves. Not given to much speed brighas, this was a pure gamaka music.

I heard only three items, the main body of the concert : Pantuvarali raga : Easane Koti Surya - Muthuthandavar in M.Chapu., Ranganayakam - Nayaki - M.Dikshitar, O ranga Saayi - Kambhoji - Tyagaraja.

Pantuvarali , was elaborate, and vividly sketched. This raga is very well suited for nagaswaram and the musician brought out the entire picture in very good measure. Also the eduppu of P, MD, in the madhya sthayi , a special Pantuvarali prayoga, was so aesthetic and musically appealing to the ear. Nayaki was absolutely soulful and the spread of the song was vivid.

Kamboji was good with a decent portrayal of the raga and the krithi was done good justice.

The seevali in the nagaswaram neede constant meddling, during the Kamboji raga elaboration and thus the flow of the raga alapana , I thought was getting hampered. A little more of speed and brigha, some kala pramana variation combined with this gamaka approach , will further enhance, the overall concert appeal.

Konthandaraman is a must listening for all rasikas of good music.

[Gamakam]

He is a truly wonderful artist.

I was very particular that he played for my wedding. he soaked us with two days of pristine music. His elaborations of Andholika, Salaka Bairavi and Simmendra madhyamam are still ringing in my ears.