R.VEDAVALLI AT KRISHNA GANA SABHA- 12 JUNE 11

[CRama]

R.Vedavalli accompanied by R.K.Sreeramkumar on the Violin, K.Arun Praksh on the Mridangam and Guruprasad on the Ghatom presented a unique concert. Vocal support was provided by her star disciples Sumithra Vasudev and Sumathi Krishnan. This was the inaugural concert of a series titled SADGURU RASANUBHAVA CONCERTS. The focus is on bringing to the fore the lyrical contents of the Thyagaraja Kritis with less emphasis on the manodharma aspects. They want the rasikas to understand the mood of the composer and the sentiments conveyed through the medium of the kritis which will enhance the listening pleasurre. This is a new format for the rasikas as well as to the artists and the rasikas should prepare themselves for such an expeirence for raga alapana or swarams will be kept to the minimum. For the rasikas who have missed this wonderful experience, this will be telecast in the SVBC channel shortly. The date of telecast was not told.

The concert consisted of lecture and songs. While starting the programme, Vedavalli Mami explained the puprpose of the concept. She said it will take as to a dfferent plane if we are able to understand the mind of the saint while composing the songs. It is all the more important for the artists singing the song to understand the meaning for effective delivery of the songs. We should give Ananthakoti namaskarams to the great Vaggeyakaras who have bequethed a great legacy to us . Bhakthi and mukthi had been their aim in life. They did not expect any thing else while composing the songs.
In the Hindu Philosphy, three schools stand tall. The are Advaitham, Visishtaadvaitham and Dwaitham. The Trinity represent these three schools. Deekshithar represented Advaitham, Thyagraja was the exponent of Visishtaadvaitham and Syama Sastri Dwaitham.

The Sangeetha Rathnakara of Sarngadevar prescribed the qualities of Uthama Vaggeyakara. An Uthama Vaggeyakara should possess the following qualities.
Vaarthaigal
Chandam
Alankaram
Rasam
Bhaavam
Sangeetha sasthram
Puranam
Elimai
Thyagaraja had all these qualities and hence he is called as Uthamavaggeyakara.. He has chosen suitable ragams for the bhavam conveyed in the sahithyam. Ramabhakthi is uniformally represented in all the songs.Vedavalli Mami presented the following songs emphasising the sahithya bhavam. She explained the meaning of the songs conveyed by Thyagaraja through the songs. I could not note down those details.Very brief alapanas were rendered for some of the songs. The alapanas were started by Mami and continued either by Sumithra Vasudev or Sreeramkumar. For the Thodi raga kriti, a detailed raga alapana was done by Mami and neraval at the Pallavi and swaras in two kalas rendered. The percussionists gave a brief thani. List of songs.
1.Evareni nirnayinchirira- Naadachithamani
2.Tolineyujeyu-Kokiladhwani
3.Vidulaku mrokkeda- Mayamalavagowla (Brief alapana and neraval)
4.Vachamagochareme manasa-Kaikavasi
5.Ethavuna nerchithivo-Yadukulakambodi(Brief alapana)
6.Vanajanyanudani valachithivo-Kedaragowla
7.Thanameethane-Bhooshavali
8.Urake Galguno Ramuni Bhakthi-Sahana (Brief alapana)
9.Emani maatlaadithivo-Thodi
10.Laalilyoogave-Neelambari.

There was good attendance for the programme. At 8.30 some elderly people left. Mami announced that it was scheduled upto 8.30 only. But if people are interested she would like to sing a few more songs. Then the audience shouted for her to continue. The concert continued upto 9.15 PM. The accompanists really supported he vocalist -well understanding the concept and never trying to project their skill. RKSreeramkumar deserved special appreciation for his coninuing of the alapanas of Mami and the sweetness of his bowing.

At the close of the concert Mr.Prabhu, of the Sabha said that that they would like to repeat the programme on a monthly basis. Next on 9 or 10 July wil be TNS. Mami also proposed to hold the same programme else where which will be separately announced. He wanted our feedback about the programme which will enable him to decide about the continuance of the project. He gave his mobile no and requested us to send SMS quickly. He and Mami profusedly thanked the family of Late Obul Reddy who have sponsored the series. An unforgettable experience.

[ganeshkant]

CRama,an excellent summary.The concert was very educative and the sahAna and Todi alapanais were excellent as well as all the kritis.The BhushAvali song I heard for the first time in vocal and last month in a national AIR concert I think Ravikiran played that.It was a good experience altogether.

She sang this beautiful mangalam in MadhyamAvati composed by one of Tyagaraja's disciple at the end.

I listened sitting along with Vijaysiva.VS it seems totally forgot that he himself is a musician and enjoyed the concert like any of us.

[rajeshnat]

She sang this beautiful mangalam in MadhyamAvati composed by one of Tyagaraja's disciple at the end.

The mangalam is by Walajahpet Venkataramana bhAgavathar.
9.Emani maatlaadithivo (R N S T)-Thodi was the main , the neraval was in the pallavi line .

[CRama]

CRama wrote:For the Thodi raga kriti, a detailed raga alapana was done by Mami and neraval at the Pallavi and swaras in two kalas rendered.

Rajeshnat wrote:9.Emani maatlaadithivo (R N S T)-Thodi was the main , the neraval was in the pallavi line

Both mean the same.

[CRama]

Thanks to Ganeshkant and Rajeshnat. I forgot to write about the mangalam. It starts with Ramabrahmasuputraya. I have heard this sung as Ragamalika slokam by some vidwans during Thyagaraja Utsavam.

[Nick H]

This was an extraordinary and exquisite concert.

I am always so full of praise for each and every one of the artists who took part that I just don't know how to find word to express that, even for them, this was something extra, extra special.

When it works well, the team-work aspect of carnatic music is one of its magical aspects to me. In this concert, it went beyond team work and became unity. I can hardly say, even, that in the alapana and neraval, Smt Vedavalli, Sumithra and RKSK "took turns" --- they blended.

I had the honour of recommending this concert to a foreign dance student (who changed her plan to attend another program). Her comment: "It was divine. I didn't think that there was anybody who still sings like this."

Thank you CRama for giving the vital details of the program. I thought there was neraval for two songs? I wish I was able to give titles, or even lines, so that you could confirm or correct me. I remember one that had the word/syllables "sangeet" (I think)? The feeling was so strong that I had tears in my eyes at this point. If there is any chance you can tell me what song that was I'd be grateful.

<crossposted with several other posts>

[CRama]

Thanks Nick for the nice sentiments which has come straight from your heart. I was expecting you there and I saw you with some other people.
The neraval you are mentioning is Vidulaku mrokkedaa Sangeethako.. 3rd song - Mayamalavagowla). Another neraval was for the Main song Emani maatladithivo in Thodi.

[Nick H]

Thank you.

I think that all the people in the row where I sat are Smt Vedavalli's students. I was sitting next to fellow forumite Prashant. i hope I got his name right: there is a chaos factor in my brain cells which affects things like song lyrics (even in English) and names ... even of friends!

[vs_manjunath]

CRama- Thanks for your review. I think, the krithis in Y.Kambodhi , Kedaragowla & Thodi are not that popular.

[mahavishnu]

thanks for your lovely report, CRama. Wonderful songlist.
I hope Sri. Y. Prabhu gets enough encouragement to continue this series successfully.

[PUNARVASU]

Nice concept. We must really thank the organisers for such a programme.Lucky are those who will be able to attend this series of concerts.

[rajeshnat]

I was also there for this concert. Almost what all has to be written has been written by CRama. Vedavalli mAmi has got a very matured timber in her voice and with that the bhakthi oozes a lot. On a side note , I just felt the lecdems , rasanubhava etc should be in general pushed to morning in a sabha , the evening slots should be exclusively for concerts (which is always a norm for many years). How wonderful it would have been say Vedavalli mAmi gives the lecdem in the morning , and a vijaysiva or a v. sumithra sings in the evening as a full fledged concert.