Gokul Chandramouli@ Ayyappan Mandir-Bangur Nagar -14th Nov11

[S.Balaji]

Accompanied by :

Kumari Smrithi Sundarrajan – Violin
Shri Rohit Prasad – Mridangam
Master Sujesh Menon- Kanjira


kritis :

Vatapi Ganapathim Bhaje –Hamsadwani

Meru Samaana – Mayamalavagowlai

Niravathi Sukha – Ravichandrika

Thyagaraja Yoga vaibhavam – Ananda Bhairavi

Mohana Rama- Mohanam - R/N/S followed by thani avarthanam

R/T/P - Keeravani - Pallavi on Saarasa Dhala nayana Hare Krishna

Chinnajiru kiliye kannamma- Ragamalika

Chandrachooda Shiva – Dharbari Kaanada


Gokul Chandramouli alias our forum member Thyagarajadasa performed a 2 and half hour concert held at Ayyappan Mandir, Bangur Nagar, organized by a group of Sangeetha Rasikas in western suburb , including yours truly . There are not many recognized Sabhas or Fine arts on the western suburb to cater Carnatic music and hence the initiative. The main objective of the forum is to promote local talent and encourage young aspirants .

Vatapi Ganapthim was sung as requested to have an auspicious start. Meru Samana had very good swaras . After a nice alapana on Ravichandrika before Niravadhi sukha , cascade of swaras flowed for 10 minutes and Smrithi’s Violin returns were beautiful. The kriti was sung at a very brisk pace. Anandabhairavi alapana was short and sweet. Again ,Smrithi’s work was laudable . Thyagaraja yoga vaibhavam set the right pace. Then Gokul took up Mohanam.The highlight of the concert was the ever mesmerising Mohana Rama and RTP on Keeravani . A 15 minute brilliant alapana on Mohanam. Kriti was rendered with bhakti and bhavam . The raga blossomed through the devoted voice of Gokul and with the excellent Violin play of Smrithi. The neraval at Dharamanu and swarams were superb and lasted around 30 minutes. After that, Thani avarthanam by Rohit and Sujesh for around 20 minutes . Overall, it was for around 60 minutes. An outstanding performance. Gokul as usual was very strong on the Ghamakams .
RTP on Keeravani was the next. Gokul and accompaniments did full justice and the RTP was for 30 minutes . By that time, it was already around 9 pm and hence Gokul had to finish it a bit quickly. The Pallavi was sung on Saarasa Dhalanayana Hare Krishna.

The accompanying artists richly deserve mention here . They religiously followed Gokul and came up with a creditable performance.

SMRITHI SUNDARRAJAN , was very excellent at the alapanas , neraval and swaras. She played a beautiful Anandabhairavi alapana. The best part was at the alapana on Mohanam and the neraval / swaras . Keeravani play and thanam was noteworthy . A Shanmukananda student on both Violin and Vocal , she is currently undergoing advanced training in vocal from Dr (Smt) Sulochana Rajendran and violin under Smt Visalam Vageeshwar. An upcoming Violinist , she has performed across Mumbai as an accompanying Violinist .Smrithi actively pursues vocal also having won the award “Shanmukha Sangeeta Mani” for vocal from Shanmukhananda earlier. Also a Diploma holder on carnatic vocal music by University of Mumbai . She is a software professional.

ROHIT PRASAD excelled throughout the concert and was at his cheerful best during the Thani. The pick of the thalam on the pallavi as well as charanam was simply superb. Rohit learnt mridangam under Shri T.S.Nandakumar at Shanmukhananda and had the rare previlege to make his debut in 2007 accompanying the flutist Padmashri Dr.N.Ramani . Rohit is a regular performer in Mumbai now having accompanied upcoming artists. currently he is a “B” Grade artist in AIR, Mumbai. He has accompanied upcoming artists in various sabhas like Shri Shanmukananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha, Chembur Fine Arts, Rasika Ranjani Sabha, etc. He is currently pursuing M.Com.

SUJESH MENON , a budding talent , played Kanjira well. His response to Rohit during the Thani was commendable and the support for the Violin returns was precise and sharp. On his 10th standard, he is learning Mridangam, Ghatam and Kanjira under Shri Satish Krishnamoorthy since 2007 and has started performing on stage, Mridangam and Kanjira since 2009 . Also learns Vocal under Shrimati Vijaya Krishnamoorthy .

Gokul has been setting high standards in Mumbai , raising the bar , in pursuit of excellence .

Videos available on the blog : http://carnaticmusicmumbai.blogspot.com ... rajan.html

[mankuthimma]

Enjoyed it. Thanks .
If I had not been watching it in broad daylight , I would have mistaken the spoken part , for our Guru from Nesapakkam .

I also now understand that the hurricane related to N3 in Harikhamboji + Keervani Controversies is swirling more around Mumbai , now.

[rajeshnat]

s balaji,
I just googled to find bangur nagar is in goregaon as I have not heard that place. If I could say mumbai has 3 pockets one is big which is chembur - matunga area , other in mulund and now in goregaon(bangur nagar), keep it going & best wishes . Gokul like his guru is taking an interesting combo of SSI and MMI krithis, truly the best two role models if I am allowed to thrust with my taste.

[csuresh]

Dombiville sangeetha sabha also conducts regular concerts,Vashi,Nerul Navi mumbai area also a small pocket for carnatic music.

[S.Balaji]

Mankuthimma,

Thanks.

Rajesh,

Thanks for the wishes. U r right. Bangur Nagar is in Goregaon west, the second railway station after Andheri. Bangur Nagar has a large South Indian population and there is a Ram Mandir too .
As Suresh rightly pointed out, there are other sabhas too . Bhandup Fine arts is one such ( before Mulund ) , Powai Fine Arts , Kala Mandal ( Thane ), Bhakta Rasika Ranjani Sabha ( BARC , Mankhurd ), Rasika Ranjani Sabha ( Ghatkopar ) etc . However, the main problem is the attendance . Hardly you can see 50 people turning up. I have seen many artists from South do perform in 2 sabhas in a trip. Nerul also has started promoting music and we saw Smt Prema Rangarajan and Mannarkoil Balaji perform recently in Kamakshi mandir . There is a beautiful Balaji Mandir on top of Nerul hill , a tall Anjaneyar temple and they also may start promoting soon.
All the above are on the Central line of Mumbai.

Sadly, in western line , there is no big activity happening on carnatic music and hence the launch. God willing, we should conduct atleast 4 concerts in a year plus Aradhana to start with.

[mankuthimma]

Hardly you can see 50 people turning up

You get 50 guys !!!
I envy you

[Venkatg]

Balaji,

Are there any more concerts by Gokul this weekend or in next days? Any concerts of Vignesh Ishwar ? Would like to hear these two artists , besides of course Prashant and Govind who sing next week.

Venkat

[PUNARVASU]

Prashant and Govind are singing on the 28th November at the BRR Sabha, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, for the Shri.'P.N.Krishnamoorthy Memorial Concerts', in memory of one of the finest gurus we had.
Can not believe that it is a year since Shri P.N.K. left us. For us, his students, he is always 'there'.
I feel sad that I will not be able to attend the concerts.

[prashant]

Nice list from Gokul whose kIravANi is always of a very high standard. One of my favorite young singers!

[tyagarajadasa]

Hi, Vignesh is singing at Xavier's college on 26th Nov, 2010 at 5 pm. He will be accompanied by Rohit Prasad on Mridangam and Balakrishnan on Violin..