Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha: Abhishek Raghuram 2011-Aug-13

[ranjanimalavi]

Abhishek Raghuram - Vocal
Mysore Srikanth - Violin
Anantha R Krishnan - Mridangam
B.R. Ravikumar - Ghatam

1. Must have missed one or two items
2. Tulasi Dalamulache - MayamalavaGowla - T (S)
3. Thunai Purindarul - Varamu - P (ANS)
4. Vara Narada - VijayaShree - T (S)
5. Akshayalinga Vibho - Sankarabharanam - MD (RNS)
6. Thani
7. Allide Nammane, Illi bandhe summane - RajyaSri (?) - PD (Tuned by Pallavi ArunKumar)
8. Patiki Harathi Re - Suruti - T
9. Mangalam

Another wonderful concert from Abhishek.
Really liked the Sankarabharanam, was leisurely done. Almost one and half hour.
Srikanth's returns were very good.
I like only MDR singing Vara Narada, nobody else. But it was very well done.
Thani was good.

It was a refreshing change to hear a not heard dasar pada, from the usual ones.
Most of the times you hear a regular dasar pada just because the auditorium is called Purandara Bhavana.

Raman

[shankarabharanam]

You didn't miss much.. He opened the concert with a Durbar varnam. As my login name suggest shankarabharanam is my favourite. It is easily one of the best renditions I have heard in a long time. The only thing that disappointed was when he sang kalpanaswaram. Concentrating too much on laya made him forget the bhava of the ragam. And the korrupu he sang was too fast forcing him to catch the notes in a plain format. But nothing can take away his raga alapana.

What I like abhishek's raga alapana is his stage by stage development. Simply brilliant. He sees that he explores all permutation combination while singing it. Blessed with a superb voice that is able to reproduce whatever he wishes, his sancharas in the lower octave was so soothing. As expected he took Akshayalinga Vibho.. My favourite composition (more so because the temple deity on whom the song is composed was my kula deivata). So it was nostalgic too when I revisited the shrine after listening to this wonderful krithi.

Varamu was also dealt with so much ease. Haven't heard this raga in a long time .

The volume for the mridangam and the ghatam was very low. At least mridangam could be heard as the concert progressed but simply couldn't hear the ghatam. They ghatam and the mridangist artists kept requesting to increase the volume but nothing really worked. I think some days you just accept that nothing works for you and thats what Ananthakrishnan and the ghatam artist might have thought. I really loved Ananthakrishnan's playing. His anticipation is too good.. Mysore Srikanth also ably supported Abhishek and responded very well.

[kssr]

Not many artists choose Varamu for submain/main. A more beautiful allotropic modification of Hindolam which itself is beautiful. I have once heard TNS sing "Saahaa varam(u) arulvaai"- a bharathiar composition in his own memorable style.

[arasi]

Sanjay Subrahmanyan's varamu RTP a couple of years ago during the season was noteworthy. Tamizh line of pallavi to boot! kUvAi, kUvAi, kuyilE!

[Sindhuja]

I don't believe I missed an elaborate Varamu by Abhishek Hopefully he performs it in US in the coming season.
List looks great!

[shriroop]

Allide Nammane, it is mentioned that tuned by Pallavi Arun Kumar. Can I have the details of Pallavi Arun Kumar?

[braindrain]

Sanjay Subrahmanyan's varamu RTP a couple of years ago during the season was noteworthy. Tamizh line of pallavi to boot! kUvAi, kUvAi, kuyilE!

Interesting.. The varamu pallavi , I heard of Sanjay had a Kannada line .. "kandena gOvindana puNDarIkaksha pANDavapaksha krshNanA"

[shreedarshan]

Ranjani Gayatri's concert at Fort High School, bangalore this yr [2011], RTP was in raaga varamu.

[PUNARVASU]

No.7-Is it 'allide namma manE' or 'allide nammanE'? I thought it is 'namma manE'.

[arasi]

Punarvasu,
It's namma mane.

Jayan,
Did Sanjay sing kaNDe nA gOvindana in BengalUru? The one I mentioned, he sang in Chennai--2009 (?) at Indian Fine Arts.

[mahavishnu]

Abhishek is becoming one of the most reviewed artistes on this forum (and for good reason). I am really looking forward to his upcoming fall tour. The team of Mysore Srikant and his cousin Anantha is becoming quite the classic combination. Akkarai and Nagai Sriram also complement his style well. Neyveli Narayanan is another mridangist that teams very well with Abhishek. I noticed that his guru Sri UKS will be performing with Abhishek at Krishna Gana Sabha later this month. This should be one for the books. I hope someone uploads this concert!

I'm glad that Abhishek chose to do an elaborate Varamu. It is rare to see it these days, since manasulOni is also performed in hindOlam by many. The ragam is seldom heard other than in an RTP.

To my mind, TNS is the king of Varamu; there is a wonderful "thuNai purindaruL" sung by him in a commercial release which is almost like a textbook version for young aspirants. Interestingly he sings manasulOni in hindOlam as well. Sri VV Subramaniam has composed a varNam in varamu.

[Sindhuja]

To my mind, TNS is the king of Varamu

Amen to that. Unforgettable poruththam in the swarams - if we're talking of the same rendition...
Jayanthi Kumaresh (who happens to be Abhishek's aunt as many would know) has composed a wonderful thillana in Varamu which is in her album called Thillana Thillana. The album also has other nice pieces including a Behag thillana composed by Abhishek himself.

[Nick H]

Abhishek is becoming one of the most reviewed artistes on this forum (and for good reason)...

I'm afraid that some of us do not share the enthusiasm.

My limited experience of his music did not make me want to hear more (in fact, I didn't even stay for the whole concert) and I find his on stage physical antics absurd to the point of clowning. He needs the Kanjira to keep his hands busy. My wife called me, the other day, to see a TV snippet (I don't really watch TV, so she sometimes does when she finds something carnatic) and I could not watch it.

There is nothing wrong with some physical expression on stage (although the chaste style suits me best) but, when everything is emphasised, there is no emphasis. The object is defeated. It is like watching what might have been a decent business presentation had it not been for the bad powerpoint slides.

And does he has to point to every note with his nose? That's just silly. I also feel it may lead to neck/throat problems later in life.

So, how about with my eyes closed? No, sorry... that is why I left that concert, during the sub-main neraval, which I found cold and uninspiring.

There's no need to jump on me: it is obvious that many will disagree. Abhishek is the new holy cow, but not for me. I know that I'm not alone in letting this bandwagon move on without jumping on it, but I guess the dissenters are a small minority. Each to their own: none of us can tell each other what we should or should not enjoy, but we are, equally, entitled to our views and opinions.

I'm happy remembering the experience of seeing him play Kanjira, with his grandfather playing mridangam. That was just superb.

[ganeshkant]

I heard him a couple of days before in Charsur's festival.I think his singing is o.k.He is talented but still unable to communicate his talent to the discerning audience.Normal rasika may go AhA.OhO for him.Unfortunately most of the rasikas don't know what good music is.So,Nick I agree with you partially on ur views.

His RTP in Janranjani was good.He tries to break barriers to evolve something new is obvious; but that may be possible only when he steps out of Dr.BMK's shadow.

[kssr]

I too agree with Nick and Ganeshkant. Not to belittle the youngster. I have once written on this matter earlier and did not want to rub it in this time. AR is no doubt good talent. He is however floating. Too much of adoration is preventing him from taking time to get grounded and settle down. We hope someone guides him well.

[mahavishnu]

Nick: bah! humbug! you know I only mean this in jest
You have become quite the Mylapore maven!

I respectfully disagree that discerning rasikas do not appreciate Abhishek's music. Let's call it a matter of taste and leave it at that, invoking the first law of sociology.

As my old professor used to say, there are four laws of sociology.

1) Some do and some don't.
2) Things are always different in the south.
3) Never trust the hill people, for they can see your house.
4) Nothing works in India (including 1, 2, & 3).

[grsastrigal]

I agree with Nick. I can better hear his concert instead of "see him".

[arasi]

Ganeshkant,
I do not know if I'm a 'normal' rasikA or not

Nick,
You say your bit in your own way and I like it!

Mahavishnu,
Yes, it's all a matter of taste.

I like his singing, and as I once said before, some in my family circle are crazy about his music which I'm not. As kssr says, he's still too young. I give credit to his background and talent, but feel that he can go a bit slow with his innovations on stage. Last time, after a brilliant passage in his singing, I got lost in the woods with him in his search. Being as bright and gifted as he is, he is evolving rapidly, I'm sure. I've to listen to him this season again to find out.
As for gestures and 'dancing' while giving a performance, I can take it if the music is worth it. Actually, I prefer some action to inexpressive, 'sans movements' performances! Of course, too much action on stage is not becoming, if t happens to be a female singer!

Nick,
The only time I heard Abhishek play the kanjari (beautifully, at that) was at Ravikiran's concert where we met for the first time! It was raining and pouring that day and Dakshinamurthy Hall lost power for a while and still, Ravikiran's music was flowing divinely, defying the thunderstorm outside!
His grandfather had a fracture and couldn't play and I think T.K. Murthy played instead?

[Nick H]

I recoil in horror when I find myself saying things like this, because it means that I am really getting old but I feel that discipline should be learnt in youth. When the craftsman takes liberty with his tools, beauty results, but if the apprentice is allowed to do the same, that bodes ill for his working life.

This young man has a career ahead of him, but he is still an apprentice. Maybe one day, in decades to come, he will see some film and ask his friends, "what kind of friends were you, that you did not tell me that what I was doing looked so silly?"

He would do well to watch somebody like Vijay Siva, who is far from still while performing, but using gestures appropriately.

Does it matter?

Well, obviously, I think so. It is also not just my idea of what is, or is not, appropriate, on the carnatic music stage --- it is a question of basic presentation skills that should be learnt by anyone who does any kind of, ...err, presentation. Think about this when you watch the next news broadcast today: does the continual hand flapping of the reporter add anything? Or is it just a visual distraction from what they are saying? Similarly, when you hear a presentation by someone who continually uses the same catch phrases, or umms and ahhhs, what do you remember? What the person had to say? Or their catch phrases? I request all sales managers among us to lecture their staff on this --- and send me a cheque in appreciation . It's just stuff I learnt in drama classes when I was 16.

Abhishek has a sweet voice. I feel that he has been given, or taken, too much freedom too soon. Let us see in five or ten years.

Arasi, I remember the rain and the power cut. I remember standing at the back of the hall with a torch...

Mahavishnu:

[ganeshkant]

Ganeshkant,
I do not know if I'm a 'normal' rasikA or not

Arasi,I myself is a normal rasika .But I want to transcend my normalcy and I get upset with myself at times for my plight.It may be due to my wish to emancipate myself from all the shackles of bondage.

[CRama]

It is a matter of taste. But we have tolerated or even appreciated the face gestures in the past and even now in respect of certain vidwans who have entered oour hearts through their music.I will not tell about the past- Everybody knows- In the present scenario, Sanjay and TMK even Neyveli are no less in face gesticulations- Much more than Abhishek. They were criticised for this when they came into the scene some fifteen years back. Now nobody speaks about this. We care only for the music what is offered. But some of us criticise music of Abhishek Raghuram because of his face expressions - some times too harshly. But soon you will be enthralled by his music and you won't mind his face expressions (or he may also change. Who knows)

[anandasangeetham]

Dear Ganeshkant,

On your comment "most rasikas dont know what good music is" .....Please do not take it otherwise as i want to understand what good music is...I have heard many of my relatives deride Madurai Somu, KJ, Kunnakudi and TMK saying that their music is not "good". I can understand KJ and Kunnakudi (think it has got to do with their film style background / presentation/ etc) but not Somu and TMK. I have been listening to concerts for some time now but would like to get in differentiating the good and bad music and start enjoying if not appreciating good music. I have tried asking my relatives to explain but all they said was "it is not good" but are not ready to tell what is it that is "not good".....

[ganeshkant]

Dear As,

It is difficult for me to answer ur qn.directly.Each of us have or follow certain prescribed values and when some thing go discordant we call it bad or not good.For e.g if you take care of ur parents in their old age rather than leaving them at an old age home you follow certain dharma.

On 15/08 we were returning after watching the film "Deiva Thirumagal" and there is another theater that shows a film by name "kAnchanA".My elder brother and his son were talking high about that movie and I had told them it is not my kind of film.But they kept on telling me by showing the no.of cars that were parked in that theater and tried to create a "oh..am I missing some thing ?" feeling.U know,I yelled at my brother and told him "let the film run for a silver jubilee with packed houses and even if U offer me 10 million rupees I won't watch that flick.My taste is not that bad".

Probably when I made that statement (U r referring) it was not without me.Pl.also see my answer to Arasi.
Like u I am also searching for an answer and thought this way some one may give us some kind of solace.

[arasi]

Ganeshkant,
Your poems speak of your sensitivity. Won't you agree with me that a creative activity like that is anything but a bondage?
When it comes to music, I would rather be spellbound than be bound. At least, I can speak for myself. Good music frees me, if anything.

[anandasangeetham]

Thanks Ganeshkant.


If it is only a matter of perception / taste then fine...as these varies from person to person. But what I was looking for is ...is there any other defined parameter like say...no light music type of singing....not adding film songs though they are based on carnatic ragas....singing in false voices etc....then i would like to knwo that they are.....Some compare TMK/Vijay Siva/Sanjay and say that the latter two are presenting good music...this is where I am not able to differentiate..(due to my lack of knowledge).In fact I like TMK and VS better as I am not able to enjoy Sanjays voice...it seems to falter with the sruti quite often...(only my view) .again if it is only a matter of having a liking for a particular musician then fine....

[srikant1987]

AS,

It is strange that of the three TMK's sangItam has been said to be "bad".

I feel Sanjay is the most "creative" one of the three, and likelier to be classified that way. Krishna's singing is forceful, azhuttam-filled and clear. I haven't seen him sing "loose" phrases in any noticeable / off-putting measure. Unfortunately, Krishna does produce some very off-putting concerts, even without them -- it's somewhat incredible.

Between Vijay and Sanjay, I actually find Sanjay's voice slightly clearer and neater, though he's nothing like as endowed as Krishna in that respect. But Vijay's concerts are more orthodox, and more consistently so than Krishna's (and Sanjay's). An added "plus" is that Vijay doesn't experiment as much with the order of compositions and other such things as Krishna does. All three do skip swarams altogether, or mElkAla swarams after a neraval and all, but that's about it for Vijay or Sanjay.

[Nick H]

It is a matter of taste. But we have tolerated or even appreciated the face gestures in the past and even now in respect of certain vidwans who have entered oour hearts through their music.I will not tell about the past- Everybody knows- In the present scenario, Sanjay and TMK even Neyveli are no less in face gesticulations- Much more than Abhishek. They were criticised for this when they came into the scene some fifteen years back. Now nobody speaks about this. We care only for the music what is offered. But some of us criticise music of Abhishek Raghuram because of his face expressions - some times too harshly. But soon you will be enthralled by his music and you won't mind his face expressions (or he may also change. Who knows)

It is a matter of degree, and also a matter of something which may be a personal reaction, or maybe even a case of me being wrong, which is whether I feel it to be an affectation or not. I am never uncomfortable watching NS or VS (Sanjay and TMK I have seen but have little experience of). Sorry, but with AR I find it passes well past the line and is something really silly.

As to what he is singing, behaviour aside, it may be his path of exploration and expression, and it may be entirely valid, but, just as we cannot all look at the same pictures with pleasure, this is not music for my pleasure.

Of course, both the young man and the getting-old man may change. One thing is sure: he fills halls, so I doubt that he is going to take too much notice of this one getting-old man!

[ganeshkant]

Ganeshkant,
Your poems speak of your sensitivity. Won't you agree with me that a creative activity like that is anything but a bondage?

Arasi, during my recent visit to our ashram Our swamiji expressed that it is our undue passions that are holding us back from self realization.When I introspected I too found that it creates some sort of bondage.How ? Initially you start appreciating the music (art) then slowly attracted towards the msuician ( artist).May be you are one of those blessed souls who can move about in a detached way.I am unable to and that is why I am getting angry at myself.

[ganeshkant]

I feel Sanjay is the most "creative" one of the three,

Yes I too agree.Here creative has a latent meaning 'hard work'.It is easy for musicians to be in their comfort zones rather than experimenting.When a musician is called "Mr or Ms.consistent" their manodharmam needs a careful scrutiny.We need musicians like Sanjay.TMK is also not bad in that I think.

[ganeshkant]

In his Charsur concert AR neither used tAnpura nor electronoc sruti gadgets.Rather he used a manual sruti box(sruti petti)like good old times.Any specific plusses in that ? Very rarely I see nadhaswara artists using that.