Sri Bala Murali Krishna in Los Angeleson Sept 25 2011

[veeyens3]

Sri Bala Murali Krishna in Los Angeles

On Sept 25, I hada a very plesant and surprising experience of attending a novel Jugalbandi when Sri B.M.K rendered some songs accompanied by Sri B.U G Prasadad on violin and Sri Muruga Boopathi on Mridangam, for his consort to respond with some episode's in maestro's life.While dueto some (in my opinion) problen in accoustics and my own personal hearing problems, I could not make head or tail of the episodes, Sri. B.M.K's singing, on the other hand ,was loud and clear.Naturaly,the number of songs sufferred a reduction but the loss in quantity was more than made up by some superb singing and that too at his advanced age! The song list is as follows:

1. Endaro Mahanu Bavulu Sri
2. His own composition a Raga with four notes, both his own creation
3. Akhilandeswari A Syama Sastry song ,I could not cleary hear the raga name
Varuga Varuga in Pantuvarali
4. Samasas vara gamana Hindolam the main raga of the day
5. Gayathi Van Mali and finally A Kuntala varali ,tillana his own creation.


The percussion artist was given an extended time for his tani, which he utilised beautifully, inspite of the mass exodus by the audience, a bane of many Carnatic music concerts.

Sri. BMK. Machine gun repetition of all the railway stations between Bezwada and Madras Central brought nostalgic memories to yours truly, who himself had made numerous trips over the stretch. Sri B.M.K's dark black hair and his mastery over his voice which easilybtraversed three octaves belied his age. May the Good lord bless him with many more years of happy, healthu life to enthrall his listenersfor quite some time
May Sri Rama bless you all

[rajeshnat]

Veeyens
Wonderful to see a review of yours , the akhilandeshwari , shyama sastri krithi is in the raga karnataka kApi. varugA varugA in pantuvarAli is his own creation .

[ganeshkant]

Dr.BMK in spite of his vast repertoire why simply repeating the same set of songs ? God knows.

[veeyens3]

Re# 2 There is a correction. I am not competent to review a gret artist. It is only a report and nothing else
Re #3 Any repertoire is of value only if it can be retrieved, I was told he is not able to remember many things His wife was at his side constantly rermindig him Having seen him ride like a collosus over Carnatic Music world, it makes me very sad to see him at the presenntt stage of helpless ness. I think Artists should retire while rasikas are are why than wait till they ask why not

[arasi]

Veeyens,
So glad you could make it to the concert and write about it. Hope I can at least take myself to a concert, let alone write about it, at your age!

ganeshkant,
The probelem is, had he sung songs which sounded utterly new, folks have a tendency to say, "couldn't he have sung some well-known TyagarajA krutis?" The point is, his repertoire is vast, so is the store of his own songs. If you asked me, I'd say that I'm not keen on listening to a pancha ratnam kruti in a concert. I can see knitted eyebrows in response to this.
How tastes differ! I see what you mean. He could have sung a few more songs, some which one doesn't hear often.

[veeyens3]

My posting was more in anguish than in anger.%The last time I had the pleasure of listening to Sri Balamurali was in early 90s when he gave a concert close to our home near Cal State Fullerton campus. Although I was annoyed at his demandinIg ten dollars for every listeners request. the fare was super. Recently, I chanced to surf a site where I heard him sing "Gati Neeve" in Kalyani , his own composition,in praise of Divine Mother and I wanted to hear that again when I heard about his problems. Had I not gone to that concert, I would still be ruminating the past experience. I still remember his running battles with late S.Balachander May Sri Rama bless you all

[hamirkalyani123]

Thanks, Veeyens3 for the review.

Regarding
2) His own composition a Raga with four notes, both his own creation

As far as I know, the composition is "Uma Sutham Namaami: in Sarvasri (Sa Ma Pa Sa)

[veeyens3]

If my memory serves me right, Sri B.M K is supposed to have created Mahati, another Raga with four notes

[Thalaivarda]

Thanks, Veeyens3 for the review.

Regarding
2) His own composition a Raga with four notes, both his own creation

As far as I know, the composition is "Uma Sutham Namaami: in Sarvasri (Sa Ma Pa Sa)

How is Sa Ma Pa Sa four notes ??

[hamirkalyani123]

Sorry, my mistake... And, thanks for catching it Thalaivarda

There were a few that he composed with four notes. It could be either of these.

Mahaneeya Madhura Moorthae Mahathi Kriti Guru Vandhanam-Tetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ga PA Ni

or,

Omkara karini Lavangi Kriti Tetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ri Ma Dha

or

Mahaneeya Namasulivae Sumukham Kriti on Ganapathi-Tetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ri Ma Ni

There may be more but this is what I listened to mostly.

[Thalaivarda]

Sorry, my mistake... And, thanks for catching it Thalaivarda

There were a few that he composed with four notes. It could be either of these.

Mahaneeya Madhura Moorthae Mahathi Kriti Guru Vandhanam-Tetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ga PA Ni

or,

Omkara karini Lavangi Kriti Tetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ri Ma Dha

or

Mahaneeya Namasulivae Sumukham Kriti on Ganapathi-Tetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ri Ma Ni

There may be more but this is what I listened to mostly.

Yeah I know, but all only academic.

[hamirkalyani123]