Padmabhushan TN Seshagopalan in SFO Bay Area

[ashoksubra]

There were two events with Padmabhushan, Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Shri. TNS in the SFO Bayarea recently on April 30th and May 1st. On April 30th, Friday evening between 7.30pm and 10.30 PM, Shri. TNS performed Seetha Kalyanam as a 3 hour non-stop Harikatha marathon. The 250 seat-auditorium in the city of Cupertino was full with the Bay Area rasikas that were simply kept in rapt attention for the entire duration.

Mixed with his own inimitable style of story-telling, interspersed with exquisite music with verses from Saint Thyagaraja, Valmiki, Kamban, Namdave, Thukharam, Shri TNS brought the entire festive mood of Mithila to Bay Area audience. The torrential pour of unhindered words, with the sprinkle of light vein humor, TNS simply kept the audience mesmerized for the whole 3 hours.

What was even more amazing was that he did not even stop to take a sip of water in between and stood for the entire 3 hour duration with the same amount of energy and exuberance in his engaging Upanyasam.

Shri TNS was ably supported by Shri. H.V.Srivatsan on violin and Shri. Shriram Brahmanandam on Mridgangam.

--------------- *************** ----------------- TNS VEENA RECITAL ----------------****************------------------

On 1st May, between 3.30 to 6.00 PM. Shri.TNS performed a Veena recital in the San Jose, Willo Glen community Center supported by Shri. Ramesh Srinivasan on mridangam. TNS is probably the only Vainika that can sing so effortlessly and can bring all that his voice does through his magical fingers on Veena with such a finesse, articulation. His imagination is so rampant yet, so confined to traditional contours. His exposition of all aspects such as raga exposition, krithis rendering and swaras weaving were fine display of artistry and mastery over the instrument.

He started with Meru Samana in Mayamalava gowlai, continued with a very soothing Sahana, rendering Vanadanamu. Following Sahana was a detailed essay of Panthuvarali alapana, Abbarama Bhakthi with TNS brand of swara korvais. Subsequently he played Enda Muddho, Ranganayakam, both being a good contrast in tempo and aural pleasure. He settled down to a detailed ragamalika raga exposition starting with Subhapanthuvarali, which culminated in grandiose thaanam (definitely this aspect of Manodharma sangeetha is most suited for this instrument and this instrument only!). He played Ennalu Urake, a krithi of Tyagaraja with neraval and swarams in “Sathimatala nala kinchi”, the usual place. Here he paused playing, and a gave beautiful vocal rendering of the neraval place just to show the placement of phrases. His voice in 3 kattai shruthi sounded so rich in timbre and brightness. What a treat truly! He followed his main with Chinnanchiru Kiliye, Theeradha Vilayaattu pillai, Hariguna Gaavatha (maaruva behag) before ending the concert with mangalam.

TNS in every sense is a master musician is evergreen with his music. This rasika and the audience that attended both events were simply in awe and appreciation for TNS’s total musicianship.

[sreecons]

What was even more amazing was that he did not even stop to take a sip of water in between and stood for the entire 3 hour duration with the same amount of energy and exuberance in his engaging Upanyasam.

Pleased to note that you experienced this harikatha performance by TNS. I attended a 5+ hour Thyagaraja Ramayanam session a few years ago . . . and yes, no breaks in between, he stood the entire time. What a flow of narration and music! We didnt notice the time fly.

[muvvagOpAla]

He is an ocean of knowledge, and his harikathAs are very engaging! Glad to know that the Bay Area brethren got the best of TNS, like they get the best of masala dosas too!

[Sam Swaminathan]

Sri TNS gave a discourse on Sri Thiagaraja Ramayanam in Auckland and the programme lasted nearly four and a half hours. He stood tall and erect, with a lovely flower mala around his neck, looked like Narada swami and delivered the exquisite lecture with hardly a pass and not a sip of water in between. A true genius! May he continue to serve the exalted music for years to come.

[kssr]

TNS's "get up" during harikathas -panchakachcham, tiruman, bare body/angavasthram, garland, ornaments, etc., is amazing. For a part-time harikatha performer, he is quite good because it is supported by his music. His stamina to stand long hours, also comes for praise on every occasion.

Sanjay Subrahmanyam, answering questions, in between his Jaya TV performance, was asked to compare different cricketers to C Musicians. Bradman?- GNB; Sehwag- Madurai Somu; Tendulkar- TNS. He also elaborated that TNS Sir has achieved everything. We cannot think of anyone else in living memory of greater all round achievement with CM. That is the reason that his fan club (myself not excluded!) still sing praises in spite of sharply fallen voice quality. We cannot conceal a tinge of sadness that he could have preserved his ethereal voice of 80s had he not pushed himself too hard over the years. Hats off to this genius.

[reethigowla48]

This was what Sanjay told...
Sunil Gavaskar -- GNB
Sachin -- TNS (because there is nothing left that they both have not done)
Dhoni -- Sanjay himself
Sehwag- Madurai Somu

[muvvagOpAla]

That's a nice analogy, I must say!

I recollect stating TNS = Tendulkar to a friend of mine, when I heard him sing a bowLi grahabhedam in his keeravani RTP at Dombivali and kuranji in his tODi Alapana at Cleveland - reminded me of the six that Tendulkar hit on Caddick's delivery picking it from a few feet outside the off stump. Unforgettable till time lasts!

[kssr]

This was what Sanjay told...
Sunil Gavaskar -- GNB
Sachin -- TNS (because there is nothing left that they both have not done)
Dhoni -- Sanjay himself
Sehwag- Madurai Somu

I remember a lot of things. But remember incorrectly

Thanks, all the same, for the correction.