Grand Carnatic Recital by Chitravina N.Ravikiran@ Dallas,TX.

[KVasundhara]

The first in the Great Masters Concert Series (GMCS) proudly presented by Sa Re Ga Ma and the Indian Cultural Heritage Foundation (ICHF) of Dallas - Fort Worth, Texas featured a Grand Chitravina Recital by the great Maestro Sri Chitravina N.Ravikiran. Sri Ravikiran was ably supported by the renowned Mrdangam master, Sri Trichy Sankaran. The two masters established a whole new identity for the GMCS by taking the concert to a new elevated dimension. Sri Sriram Krishnan’s support on the violin was impeccable.

The concert began with an enthralling Varnam in Nataikuranji and set the mood for the rest of the evening. This was followed by a Ganapathi kriti (Natai) of Sri OVK Chintitavar nejil Irapavar, with a brief ragam and kalpana swaram, Ninne neranamminanu (Thyagaraja kriti in Pantuvarali) with ragam and swarams, Enneramum in Devagandhari with Ragam, Kamakshi swarajati in Bhairavi with Ragam, neraval for Shyama Krishna Sahodari and swarams. The RTP in Charukeshi with Ragamalika tanam (Vijayashri, Bilahari, Behag and Kanada) was easily the highlight of the day. The concert also saw the maestro granting a request from the audience, Jagadodharana (an all-time favorite) in Kapi by Sri Purandara Dasa. Sri Ravikiran concluded the program with a presentation of one of his own compositions, a Tillana in Kalyana Vasantam, a musical treat which left the audience insatiable.

Sri Sankaran was simply superb on the mrdangam and his tani was just “one of a kind,” the best ever heard in the DFW metroplex. Sriram gave a perfect support and his alapana was neat and succinct.

The unique manner in which Sri Ravikiran engaged with his audience made the concert so much more enjoyable. Special mention must be made of how melodious the Chitravina was in the maestro’s hands, enrapturing the audience with the music emanating from its strings. Kudos to the technicians who took care of the sound system and contributed to the success of a great evening – A splendid concert ever!

[mahavishnu]

Vasundhara, thanks for your report. It sounds like a wonderful combination.
I have not seen Sriram Krishnan (I take it that he is Sri TN Krishnan's son) as an accompanist. Does he live in the DFW area?

[KVasundhara]

Thank you, yes,he is T.N.krishnan's son. He does not live in Texas. Sriram lives in LA area.