Iyer Brothers for NZCMS 10/9/11

[MV]

Ramnath Iyer
Gopinath Iyer
Accompanied by Raman Easwaran

1) Viribhoni-Bhairavi Ata Thala Varnam
2) Maha Ganapthim-Nattai-MD (KS)
3) Shankari Neeve-Begada-Subbaraya Shastri (R)
4) Meenakshi-Gamakakriya-MD (R,N, KS)
5) Thelisi Rama-Poornachandrika-ST
6) Sarasijanabha-Thodi-Swati Tirunal (R,KS,T)
7) Bandureethi-Hamsanadam-ST
8) RTP in Shankarabaranam-Khanda Triputa
Nee Paadamule Gatiyani Nammiti-Sri Ramachandra
Ragamalika Swarams in Varamu, Rasikapriya, Brindavani, Hamsanadi
9) Krishna Nee Begane-Yamuna Kalyani-Vyasarayar
10) Enna Thavam-Kapi-P.Sivan
11) LGJ Thillana-Misra Sivaranjani
12) Bhagyada Lakshmi (PD)
13) Pavamana

[MV]

As I've said before, we have been lucky in NZ to have 3 instrumental concerts this year-violin, venu and now veena. It was an enjoyable evening in many ways. Firstly it was great to hear not one, but two veenas. I have come away convinced that probably this is a great format for instrumentals. The difference in the naadam of the 2 veenas, plus the exchange of kalpana swarams and ideas in notes and rhythm, some harmony playing where one picks up the tara sthayi and the other the madhyma sthayi all adds great interest and liveliness to the concert. Ramnath particularly favours the copper string and specially Dikshitar's Meenakshi where they started the Anupallavi-Gopinath in the Madhayama and Ramnath in Mandara sthayi provided an almost ethereal quality. Almost like someone reciting the mantra in an undertone- it was deeply satisfying. Gopinath's alapana in Gamakakriya was adept.

It was a no-gimmick, traditional concert. Good sangatis in almost all the compositions, evenly paced. The song list again was ideal for veena-most people knew the songs. I particularly enjoyed Ramnath's Thodi Alapana or maybe its my partiality to Thodi! RTP was neatly done and they kept good time so they didn't start losing the audience. Ragamalika swarams between 2 veenas was great . Yes, very pleasant evening.

[bilahari]

Thanks for the report, MV. A weighty list from the torchbearers of TRV's style. Srikant pointed out some clips of theirs on YouTube and they do play with good azhuttam and classicism.

[Sreeni Rajarao]

Thanks for the report!

Did they play on the saraswati veena or the electronic veena?

[MV]

No electronic veena. Yes bilahari, nalla azhuttam. As it should be.

[Sam Swaminathan]

A word about Sri Raman Easwaran, Mridanga accompanist....

A pillar of support to NZCMS in their local monthly and other special day concerts. Raman never ever flinches to provide accompaniment to scores of children as well as elders in providing mridangam support every time his services are required. On this concert, he more than adequately accompanied the Iyer brothers thru out the concert and complimented their playing with excellent sarvalagu and with very good anticipation. With more and more exposure, Raman has excellent music career ahead and he would be a good contender for the music season in Chennai should he find the time to attend in the foreseeable future.

[vainika]

The difference in the naadam of the 2 veenas, plus the exchange of kalpana swarams and ideas in notes and rhythm, some harmony playing where one picks up the tara sthayi and the other the madhyma sthayi all adds great interest and liveliness to the concert. Ramnath particularly favours the copper string and specially Dikshitar's Meenakshi where they started the Anupallavi-Gopinath in the Madhayama and Ramnath in Mandara sthayi provided an almost ethereal quality. Almost like someone reciting the mantra in an undertone- it was deeply satisfying. Gopinath's alapana in Gamakakriya was adept.

Thanks for posting this review. Any chance one can listen to a recording of this concert, or at least the excerpt featuring Meenakshi?

Looking forward to concerts of the Iyer Brothers this December in Chennai.