Dr T S Sathyavathi Detroit May 22 2011 concert report

[Sreeni Rajarao]

Dr T S Sathyavathi - Vocal
T S Krishnamurthy - Violin
Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma (Shivu) - Mridanga

Warning! This is only a report, as I am not qualified to write a review.
Please excuse me if my writing is incorrect in terms of the accuracy of lyrics (splitting of words and such), and please make corrections.

I had been looking forward to this concert and I am glad I attended the concert.

Although I had heard all three of the performers individually, I had not heard them as a team in a live concert. It turned out to be one of the most memorable concerts I have listened to live. It was a treat to watch the understanding among the three exceptionally talented performers. I consider myself fortunate that I was there on the sunday afternoon to listen to their excellent music.

It was a rather short concert, running into just about two hours. I wish it had been a longer concert.

Items presented:
1. Varna - Sami ninne kori - Sree raga.

2. Telisi rama chintana to - Poorna chandrike.
This item was presented beautifully and included a short round of swara-s

3. Gopalaka pahi mam in Bhupala (Sathyavathi announced that this is sung in Revagupti also)

4. Dudukugala in Gowla ( I am not thrilled with this particular song in Gowla. I like Mysore Vasudevachar's Pranamamyaham)

5. Samayamide nanu brova in Kedara, Patnam's composition. I had not heard this before.

6. Main item, about 50 minutes duration : Shiva Shiva Shiva enaraada in Kamavardhini
One of the best Kamavardhini I have listened to. Included a grand Alapane, elaborate Neraval at Nemamuto bilvarchana........, engaging swaras, engaging swaras by T S K, and an outstanding Tani by Shivu.
It was a treat to listen to this item sitting very close to the stage! I enjoyed all parts of it - Smt. Sathyavathi's singing, Sri. T S Krishnamurthy's melodious replies and elaborations, and Sri. Shivu's energetic tani.

7. Pillangovia chelva krishnana in ........... Kapi!!! Included a beautiful, short alapane also.
I have not heard this song in Kapi and I liked it as much as I like VidyaBhushana's version!!

8. Ananda mukunda aravinda nayana in Ananda Bhairavi.
I had not heard this item before. Smt. Sathyavathi announced that it is a composition of Madhvacharya.

9. Tirupati Venkata Ramana in Sindhu Bhairavi

10. Mangalam kosalendraya .........

I must repeat myself here : I was looking forward to this concert and I am glad I attended the concert.

My recommendation : There are more concerts scheduled across the U S. ( I remember seeing a thread this morning listing the schedule of this team's upcoming concerts under Kacheri Reviews section). Please make an effort to attend. I am positive that you will not be disappointed.

On a personal note, it was heartwarming to connect with Smt. Sathyavathi, my Father Veena Raja Rao's student at A P S college.

It is always nice to connect with my my friend Shivu - I had not seen him in two years.

And, what a treat it turned out to be to get to know Sri. T S Krishnamurthy! I learned from Sri. Krishnamurthy that he is related to (late) T N Ramachandra Rao, violinist, a prime disciple of my Father.

I am happy to think back about the afternoon and write about it. I am feeling good - I am sure you can tell that reading my notes!

[arasi]

Sreeni,
What a good Sunday afternoon you had!
i've heard Dr. Sathyavathi a few times. She is one of a kind. Though every time I heard her, it was in big halls. Somehow, she brought that one-on-one kind of intimacy to her music--as if she was singing just for you! All scholars may not have this quality. She has a gAmbhIrya about her singing. Of course, we have heard her sing Dr. Shrikaanth's compositions on a CD which came out a couple of years ago.
How we match in our tastes about duDuku in gowLai! my feeling is that it's heard so often, along with other pancha ratnAs in group singing that when I hear any of them in a concert, I wish they were singing some other kruti in the rAga!
I happened to hear Krishnamurthy in a short solo concert a couple of years ago--have heard him a few other times as an accompanist and I like his playing.
Anoor is of course adept at what he does. I'm happy he has played for Neela Ramgopal in my Arasi Vol: 2. I don't know him personally but have heard him many times. Years ago, when Rajam Iyer gave a house concert at my place, a friend brought the tambUri which is over a hundred years old, a treasure from his household! I haven't had a chance to thank him personally for that
You must have felt wonderful, meeting those who bring back memories of your father in such a significant way...

[rshankar]

Sreeni - thanks for that review and the beautiful picture. I first heard Dr. Satyavati when she sang Dr. Shreekanth Murthy's compositions.

I am happy to think back about the afternoon and write about it. I am feeling good - I am sure you can tell that reading my notes!

That should be the very object of concerts. There are many that do that - even weeks later, you mentally hear a snatch, and it puts a smile in your heart, if not on your face. But there are some that seem 'great' when you are listening to the concert, but you forget all about it a few minutes later.

[arasi]

How true, Ravi!
Fireworks on earth and meteors in the firmament are spectacular but the kind of music which stays with us afterwards--days, months, years after, is the thing, I think. It's something like watching a very good popular show and then watch Olivier play Lear

[sreecons]

Fireworks on earth and meteors in the firmament are spectacular but the kind of music which stays with us afterwards--days, months, years after, is the thing

@arasi - Yes! Like it

@sreeni rajarao - Very nice write up. . . I was smiling as I read it and could connect with your happiness

[Sreeni Rajarao]

Arasi avare, Ravi and Sreecons,

Thank you for your comments!

I am in a mood to listen to more of Smt. Sathyavathi's music this morning. In a few minutes, I will be starting on a long drive, so I have chosen to listen to a CD released by Ananya Bangalore. This CD is full of great music, and includes a beautiful bEgaDe (vallaBa nAyaksya), Sree rAjamAtangi (Shudda dhanyAsi, beautiful singing of this beautiful varNa), a delightful dEvaranAma, rangana nODire (Bridavana sAranga)

Sreeni