U.SRINIVAS AT KRISHNA GANA SABHA ON 08 AUG 10.

[CRama]

The Mandolin concert of U.Srinivas was held as a part of the Gokulashtami series. The accompanists were:
V.V.Srinivasa Rao - Violin
Haridwaramangalam A.K.Palanivel-Tavil
S.V.Ramani- Ghatom
Srirangam Kannan- Morsing.
. The list of songs:
1.Varnam- Charukesi.
2.Mooladhaaramurthey-Hamsadhwani-Adi-Papanasam Sivan (S)
3.Maarubalga- Sreeranjini-Adi-Thyagaraja (S in 2 kalams)
4.Edaari sancharinthuvo-Srutiranjini-Adi-Thyagaraja (R,S)
5.Thyagarajayogavaibhavam-Anandabhairavi,Roopakam,Dikshitar(R)
6.Enthanuchuvarnimpa-Guntakriya(S)
7.RTP-Sankarabharanam, Thodi and Madhyamavathy- Adi Talam (2K)
8.Swaagatam Krishna-Mohanam-Uthukadu Venkatasubbaiyer Adi(Tisra nadai)
9.Karadare bara baradey-Janasammodini-Adi-Kamalesh Vittal
10.Govinda bolo- Bhajan-Ahir Bhairav
11.Chandrasekhara-Sindubhairavi-Adi-Papanasam sivan
12.Thillana-Dwijavanthi-Adi-Lalgudi Jayaraman
13.Mangalam
The concert started at 6.30 P.M. with the lilting Charukesi varnam of Lalgudi Jayaraman. Marubalga was rendered with the typical Semmangudi sangathis and swaras in two kalas rendered elaborately.
The alapana of the rare raga Sruthiranjini was rendered in a most eloquent manner fully bringing out the swaroopa of the ragam. It had some well crafted swara patterns. The raga Aandabhairavi was rendered with the characteristic pidis of the ragas and each phrased was soaked in the nectar of Anandabhairavi. The song was rendered in the appropriate kalapramanam. Enthanuchu varnimpa tharama in Guntakriya was another gem rarely heard in the concerts. The song was ornamented with nice kalpana swaras.
The piece de resistance of the evening was the grand RTP in three ragas. Each raga was rendered for five minutes. Although it was not very elaborate as his usual syle, the alapanas did contain some brilliant sancharas. Thanam was also rendered in all the three ragas. The Pallavi line was "Sree Krishna(Sankarabharanam) nee sari evvvaro(Thodi) Saranam Saranam Saranam(Madhyamvathy).Neraval and swara prastharams done in in all the three ragas in breathtaking manner. The glide from one raga to another was so smooth and precise. The korvai which was very complex pattern was also rendered in all the three ragas. The entire RTP lasted for 30 minutes.
The accompanists did a good job. The tavil was excellent . Ghatam was was a bit loud and marred the aesthetics of the concert to a certain extent. . The tani lasted for 40 minutes. Violin accompaniment was in tune with the main performer. The post tani pieces were all rendered in his usual inimitable manner. An excellent concert for many days to remember.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Mandolin Srinivas' concert was quite enjoyable. His swaraprastara for Guntakriya was something amazing and secure in his hands as the scale is a 'tricky' one vulnerable to shades of Goula!!

And Srinivas' pranks with the opening of Srutiranjani alapana was educative and entertaining. In my almost 4 decades of music listening and practice, I have never come across such a brilliant exposition of the Raga.

Krishna Gana sabha has thoughtfully planned the concerts on weekends and given equal opportunities for the up and coming musicians on all days of the Gokulashtami series. The first day opened with a vocal concert of Subhiksha Rangarajan.

The acoustics in both the halls at the venue is excellent.