Jugalbandhi - Gayathri Girish and Lakshmi Sriram @Vani Mahal

[Sathej]

Smt Gayathri Girish - Vocal (Carnatic) (GG)
Smt Lakshmi Sriram - Vocal (Hindusthani) (LS)
Shri VL Kumar - Violin
Shri Viresh Madri - Harmonium
Shri B Ganapathiraman - Mrudangam
Shri Suresh - Tabla

Date : October 23, 2010
Organizers : South Zone Cultural Centre (Govt of India) and Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha
Venue : Vani Mahal

1) A GNB Varnam in Andolika - Adi Talam with Swarams by GG and a Teen Tal Bandish in Gorakh Kalyan by LS
2) Rajagopalam Bhajeham - Mohanam by GG - Alapanai and Swarams and a composition in Bhup by LS
3) Desh - a Bandish in Madhya Lay Teen Tal and a Tharana by LS followed by Rama Namame - GG
4) Ragam Tanam Pallavi in Shubhapanthuvarali - Miyan Ki Thodi - Ragam and Tanam in detail by both, taking turns
Pallavi - kamalAsani sundari chandravadani karunArasa vilOchani
Pallavi set to Adi Talam 2 Kalai, Atheetha Eduppu (1/4 before Samam) - Neraval, Trikalam and Tisram done by GG followed by Swarams by GG and LS
5) A Thumri in Pilu by LS followed by Muralidhara Gopala - Mand by GG

To begin with, my acquaintance with Hindusthani music is limited and so the review might have a Carnatic bias, though I shall attempt to give just a report of the concert. Any corrections are welcome.

The GNB Varnam in Andolika was sung by GG and LS joined in during the Swarams. This was followed by a composition in Gorakh Kalyan by LS with interludes at places by GG.

Next was the Dikshithar composition in Mohanam presented by GG with a nice Alapanai and a round of Swarams. The violinist's version of the Ragam here was good too. LS followed this with a composition in Bhup. The Hindusthani interpretation was quite distinct in flavour here, as against the Gamakam laden Mohanam.

Desh was elaborated in fair detail by LS with a Bandish in Madhya Lay and a Tharana. The Carnatic interludes by GG were very nice here. This was followed by the Thanjavur Shankar Iyer's composition in Desh by GG. It was nice to see this presented leisurely (usually sung post main in concerts) and I personally discovered some nice facets in the piece that I haven't observed before, especially with regard to the lyrics falling nicely in place with the Talam. Indeed a good composition by TSI !

The main piece was a Ragam Tanam Pallavi in Shubhapanthuvarali and Miyan Ki Thodi. It was announced that the latter is a Morning Ragam in the Hindusthani tradition and LS was presenting it since this was a Jugalbandhi, albeit with some reservation. This was an elaborate affair lasting for nearly 45 minutes. The Ragam and Tanam were explored jointly with alternating phrases. Wonderful exposition by both artistes. The Pallavi was first sung by GG. It was set to Adi Talam, 2 Kalai and the Eduppu was Atheetham (1/4 Edam before Samam). Neraval was done followed by Trikalam and Tisram. LS joined in during Swarams, complementing with her Manodharmam in Miyan Ki Thodi. This was followed by a short Thani by the Mrudangam artiste.

After the Thani, LS presented a Thumri in Pilu. A nice Ragam, that takes me back to a Bhajan in Pilu I heard long back somewhere by Lalgudi, intended to be a concluding piece, but then the legend was apparently drawn into the Ragam as he played and it was a beautiful exposition for about 10 minutes.

The concert concluded with a Mand composition of Periyaswami Thooran by GG.

All accompanists played a good supportive role throughout.

It was a nice concert with an interesting choice of Ragams. The Shubhapanthuvarali and Miyan Ki Thodi exchange is one that I'll remember for some time to come..

Sathej

[arasi]

Sathej,
Jugalbandhi or not, I find GG's choice of songs varied and her concert something to look forward to because of this. She is bold when it comes to trying something new, just as she brings old songs back from obscurity.
This sounds like a jugalbandhi which I would have enjoyed, unlike some which make me fidget in my seat and make me jump up every now and then (inwardly, of course!). Who knows? Once artistes settle down to this format, things may get better. Let's wait and see.