R Vedavalli - Vocal
RK Sriramkumar - Violin
K Arunprakash - Mridangam
N Guruprasad - Ghatam
Suki evvaro - Kanada - Adi - Tyagaraja (brief raga sketch, S)
Pavanatmaja - Nattai - M Jhampa - Dikshitar
Sari evvare - Sriranjani - Adi - Tyagaraja (RS)
Srividya rajagoplam - Jaganmohanam? - Adi - Dikshitar
Akshayalinga vibho - Sankarabharanam - M Chapu - Dikshitar (RNS@akshara swaroopa, T)
RTP (aruna prakasha sri rama jaya gurupriya) - Keervani - Chatusra Jhampa - On the spot self composition (she mentioned that all of the accompaniments were playing very well and so the pallavi composed with their names) - Ragamalika in Atana, Sama, Behag
Yarukkagilum bayama - Begada - Adi - ??
Adi neepai marulu - Yamankalyani - Adi - Dharmapuri Subbarayar
Nadapriya sivanenmbar
R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
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rbharath
- Posts: 2333
- Joined: 05 Feb 2010, 10:50
Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
R Vedavalli - R K Shriram Kumar - K Arunprakash - N Guruprasad
Nada Inbam
23 Dec 2011. 6:!5 pm
sukhi evvarO - kAnaDA - Adi - T (sketch, S)
pavanAtmaja - nATTai - MD
sari evvarE - sriranjani - Adi - T (RS)
srIvidya rAjagOpAlam - jaganmOhanam - MD
srI venkaTesA - phalaranjani
akshayalinga vibhO - sankarAbharaNam - misra cApu - MD (RNST)
RTP - kIravANi - catusra jhampa (2 kaLai) (1/4 eDuppu, 5 akshara aridi)
aruna prakasha sri rama - jaya gurupriya (pallavi with the names of her accompanists of the evening and the organiser) - Ragamalika in aTANA, sAmA, bEhAg
yArukkAgilum bayamA - bEgaDa - misra cApu
adi nIpai marulu - yamunakalyANi - DS
nAdapriya sivanenmbaru - hamsAnandi - kanDA cApu
nI nAma rUpamulaku
svasti prajApya - madhyamAvati
Nada Inbam
23 Dec 2011. 6:!5 pm
sukhi evvarO - kAnaDA - Adi - T (sketch, S)
pavanAtmaja - nATTai - MD
sari evvarE - sriranjani - Adi - T (RS)
srIvidya rAjagOpAlam - jaganmOhanam - MD
srI venkaTesA - phalaranjani
akshayalinga vibhO - sankarAbharaNam - misra cApu - MD (RNST)
RTP - kIravANi - catusra jhampa (2 kaLai) (1/4 eDuppu, 5 akshara aridi)
aruna prakasha sri rama - jaya gurupriya (pallavi with the names of her accompanists of the evening and the organiser) - Ragamalika in aTANA, sAmA, bEhAg
yArukkAgilum bayamA - bEgaDa - misra cApu
adi nIpai marulu - yamunakalyANi - DS
nAdapriya sivanenmbaru - hamsAnandi - kanDA cApu
nI nAma rUpamulaku
svasti prajApya - madhyamAvati
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knandago2001
- Posts: 645
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Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
The vidushi was requested by a member of the audience to "sing something in simhanandana tala" right after she had concluded the RTP. She responded with "adhu lec-dem le kETTu thaane kEkkarEL, aDutta lec-demkku veccupom" and started sing "yaarukkagilum bhayama summa sollattum!!"
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rbharath
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Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
the begada piece was a request from the violinst on stage.
the audience requested her for the tillana in simhanandana talam
the audience requested her for the tillana in simhanandana talam
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Nick H
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Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
This was (of course) a wonderful concert.
The whole of Chennai seems to be suffering from a throat/chest bug --- or perhaps it is just the Raga-Sudha-centric community that have been sharing this germ among ourselves over the past few days. Anyway, the concert was accompanied, off-stage, by a cacophony of coughing that told me that I was far from alone in my suffering! Bharath and I greeted each other, early in the evening with equally croaky voices, although Bilahari and Arasi remained stoicly unaffected. Enough about us, but on the same subject, I felt, when I saw Smt Vedavalli at the beginning of the concert, that I wanted to beg her not to sing for us, wrap her in a thick shawl, and send her home. It is amazing professionalism and dedication that, there was obviously no such thought in her mind. Not even any thought of shortening the concert. Perhaps she, from her vast experience, knew that the music flowing through her would have its healing effect on her, as on the rest of us: one could see that, rather than tiring, her energy was growing and increasing with each song --- to the point where, after two hours of performing, she took on an improvised pallavi, pausing, at the start, to share a kindly laugh and a smile with its named subjects.
Over and above all the usual ways in which an audience enjoys a concert, from the completely intellectual appreciation to the soaking in bhava and the simple pleasure in melody, I felt that she inspired such a warmth of feeling in her audience: that we loved her for who she is, what she was doing, and how she was doing it.
Emotional hogwash and projection on my part? Maybe. Did I mention that she is absolutely my number-one favourite singer? ok... not above a hundred times already!
The whole of Chennai seems to be suffering from a throat/chest bug --- or perhaps it is just the Raga-Sudha-centric community that have been sharing this germ among ourselves over the past few days. Anyway, the concert was accompanied, off-stage, by a cacophony of coughing that told me that I was far from alone in my suffering! Bharath and I greeted each other, early in the evening with equally croaky voices, although Bilahari and Arasi remained stoicly unaffected. Enough about us, but on the same subject, I felt, when I saw Smt Vedavalli at the beginning of the concert, that I wanted to beg her not to sing for us, wrap her in a thick shawl, and send her home. It is amazing professionalism and dedication that, there was obviously no such thought in her mind. Not even any thought of shortening the concert. Perhaps she, from her vast experience, knew that the music flowing through her would have its healing effect on her, as on the rest of us: one could see that, rather than tiring, her energy was growing and increasing with each song --- to the point where, after two hours of performing, she took on an improvised pallavi, pausing, at the start, to share a kindly laugh and a smile with its named subjects.
Over and above all the usual ways in which an audience enjoys a concert, from the completely intellectual appreciation to the soaking in bhava and the simple pleasure in melody, I felt that she inspired such a warmth of feeling in her audience: that we loved her for who she is, what she was doing, and how she was doing it.
Emotional hogwash and projection on my part? Maybe. Did I mention that she is absolutely my number-one favourite singer? ok... not above a hundred times already!
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arasi
- Posts: 16873
- Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30
Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
Nick,
After reading what you said so very poetically, and the list of songs (Vijay and I walked in a bit late)--I can only say how well you echo my own musical experience last evening. Add a pinch of nostalgia to it ( my having known her in my very young days).
Accompanists were just as moved as the audience to perform the way they did.
I haven't heard Sumitra Vasudevan sing solo, but had ample chance in this concert to know the quality of her singing.
A pity, missed meeting Prashant and Nandagopal
Correction: I was one of the lesser coughers
Chewing the cud of that SankarAbharaNam and kIravAni...
After reading what you said so very poetically, and the list of songs (Vijay and I walked in a bit late)--I can only say how well you echo my own musical experience last evening. Add a pinch of nostalgia to it ( my having known her in my very young days).
Accompanists were just as moved as the audience to perform the way they did.
I haven't heard Sumitra Vasudevan sing solo, but had ample chance in this concert to know the quality of her singing.
A pity, missed meeting Prashant and Nandagopal
Correction: I was one of the lesser coughers
Chewing the cud of that SankarAbharaNam and kIravAni...
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Nick H
- Posts: 9472
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 02:03
Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
Arasi, sorry to hear that you were among the sufferers, even if only as a "support" cougher.
I've seem Sumithra twice in the past couple of weeks, and several times before. She, too, figures among my favourites. The Hindu did not like her Academy concert: I did. They say it lacked energy: I say it was stately!
I've seem Sumithra twice in the past couple of weeks, and several times before. She, too, figures among my favourites. The Hindu did not like her Academy concert: I did. They say it lacked energy: I say it was stately!
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bilahari
- Posts: 2631
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 09:02
Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
Ditto what Nick said.
It was an enchanting evening at Raga Sudha. RV's sukhi evarO provided a brilliant opening for a gripping and moving concert. I loved the kAlapramANam she took for sukhi evarO, and the kIzh kAla swaras really struck the heart of the ragam. In particular, the gamakas that adorned the gA were truly remarkable.
It was nice to listen to the rare pavanAtmaja, and the kriti alone did justice to the raga without having to affix alapanais and elaborate swaraprastArams. The srIranjani was also beautiful, and once again, the chosen kriti was very refreshing. The subsequent kritis were both new to me and I particularly enjoyed the phalaranjani kriti.
The shankarAbharaNa ragam was interesting, and I thought Sumitra sang some beautiful phrases in the upper octave about the gAndAram. There was a period where RV and SV alternated with each other in the tAra stAyi, and it was almost like watching a music lesson. Great stuff. The neraval was really beautifully sung with great care placed on sAhitya shuddam even in mEl kAlam. Another characteristic of RV's neraval that stands out is that it is never melodramatic - there are no soap opera stops in the tAra stAyi, no bulldozing fast sequences running higher and higher... Her music - not just the neraval but all of it - is so very clean!
The kIravANi ragam was good but I particularly loved the tAnam, which was classic madhyama kAla stuff. The pallavi evoked genuine surprise from RV's accompanists, and she burst out laughing when she saw KAP and RKSK's faces. The pallavi had a beautiful set up in a rare talam, and the kalpanaswaras were very succinct.
I liked DV's yamunAkalyANi at the end, and of course, the bEgaDa was cute, requested by RKSK in response to RV telling the audience that they must wait for her next lecdem to hear the simhAnandana tALa tillAna.
The accompaniment was really top-notch. RKSK is RKSK - it's becoming almost mundane to keep singing his praises. His sensitivity in accompanying, particularly during kritis, is simply awe-inspiring. He seems to understand the main artiste's music so very well that he can anticipate each sangati exactly! Either that or he has lightning fast reflexes to be able to follow so astutely. His raga alapanais, too, always reflect the ideas of the main artiste and he never goes off on his own tangents or play some pre-composed version of any raga. I thought his srIranjani ragam was really extraordinary last evening: in particular, he really brought out the beauty of the ragam via the nishAdam by oscillating it ever so slowly and gently. The brighas he presented in shankarAbharaNam were very chaste to what RV/SV had sung earlier. His kAnaDa swaras also deserve a special mention, especially the MD-oriented patterns he played. In age where many accompanists seem to think that "unobtrusive" accompaniment is quiet accompaniment is meekly using a quarter of the bow, it was really refreshing to listen to RKSK use his entire bow with great azhuttam producing that clear tone and enhancing the shruti shuddam.
KAP was no slouch himself on the mrudangam. His sparse approach to playing has in the past left me desiring a more strokeful approach, but I think his music uses silence very effectively and appropriately. In particular, instead of playing neverending tIrmAnams between parts of kritis, KAP often just remained silent, allowing these generous moments of silence where all the audience hears is the tambura drone, and those musical silences were worth their weight in gold in contributing to the serene atmosphere of the concert. At other times, KAP and GP would come to the forefront with carefully chosen strokes to complement sangatis. During manOdharma segments, KAP's playing often won RV's appreciation, egging her on and anticipating the kind of approach she would take with near clairvoyance. The tani was very measured and really completed the kriti. GP was in the background for the most part but played with nice azhuttam and made a good team with KAP.
Of course, plaudits must go to Sumitra for her contributions to the concert. She would often sing the upper reaches of ragas, and I thought her shankarAbharaNam had some special touches of her own. More than anything though, her music was very aligned to RV's own perspective and the camraderie between the two ensured there were no jarring moments in the concert, which often occur with accompanists.
Lastly, there is such beautiful ambience in Raga Sudha Hall, which must claim part of the credit for the success of any concert held here. As Nick says, there was a certain warmth last evening, and there is great intimacy between the audience and the artistes, which is something other venues do not afford.
It was an absolutely beautiful concert by Smt. Vedavalli and her team, with all of the quietness and dignity of her admirably minimalist music on display, and my only major gripe is that she doesn't have more concerts scheduled this season.
Of course, the concert also allowed me an opportunity to chat with Nick and Arasi, and I had the honour of having a word with Sri RKSK and meeting Nada Inbam's Jaya mami, who probably single-handedly contributes much of the warmth that Raga Sudha exudes! Pity Prashant had to leave in a hurry - he is not around much this season, so it was the only real opportunity to speak to him.
It was an enchanting evening at Raga Sudha. RV's sukhi evarO provided a brilliant opening for a gripping and moving concert. I loved the kAlapramANam she took for sukhi evarO, and the kIzh kAla swaras really struck the heart of the ragam. In particular, the gamakas that adorned the gA were truly remarkable.
It was nice to listen to the rare pavanAtmaja, and the kriti alone did justice to the raga without having to affix alapanais and elaborate swaraprastArams. The srIranjani was also beautiful, and once again, the chosen kriti was very refreshing. The subsequent kritis were both new to me and I particularly enjoyed the phalaranjani kriti.
The shankarAbharaNa ragam was interesting, and I thought Sumitra sang some beautiful phrases in the upper octave about the gAndAram. There was a period where RV and SV alternated with each other in the tAra stAyi, and it was almost like watching a music lesson. Great stuff. The neraval was really beautifully sung with great care placed on sAhitya shuddam even in mEl kAlam. Another characteristic of RV's neraval that stands out is that it is never melodramatic - there are no soap opera stops in the tAra stAyi, no bulldozing fast sequences running higher and higher... Her music - not just the neraval but all of it - is so very clean!
The kIravANi ragam was good but I particularly loved the tAnam, which was classic madhyama kAla stuff. The pallavi evoked genuine surprise from RV's accompanists, and she burst out laughing when she saw KAP and RKSK's faces. The pallavi had a beautiful set up in a rare talam, and the kalpanaswaras were very succinct.
I liked DV's yamunAkalyANi at the end, and of course, the bEgaDa was cute, requested by RKSK in response to RV telling the audience that they must wait for her next lecdem to hear the simhAnandana tALa tillAna.
The accompaniment was really top-notch. RKSK is RKSK - it's becoming almost mundane to keep singing his praises. His sensitivity in accompanying, particularly during kritis, is simply awe-inspiring. He seems to understand the main artiste's music so very well that he can anticipate each sangati exactly! Either that or he has lightning fast reflexes to be able to follow so astutely. His raga alapanais, too, always reflect the ideas of the main artiste and he never goes off on his own tangents or play some pre-composed version of any raga. I thought his srIranjani ragam was really extraordinary last evening: in particular, he really brought out the beauty of the ragam via the nishAdam by oscillating it ever so slowly and gently. The brighas he presented in shankarAbharaNam were very chaste to what RV/SV had sung earlier. His kAnaDa swaras also deserve a special mention, especially the MD-oriented patterns he played. In age where many accompanists seem to think that "unobtrusive" accompaniment is quiet accompaniment is meekly using a quarter of the bow, it was really refreshing to listen to RKSK use his entire bow with great azhuttam producing that clear tone and enhancing the shruti shuddam.
KAP was no slouch himself on the mrudangam. His sparse approach to playing has in the past left me desiring a more strokeful approach, but I think his music uses silence very effectively and appropriately. In particular, instead of playing neverending tIrmAnams between parts of kritis, KAP often just remained silent, allowing these generous moments of silence where all the audience hears is the tambura drone, and those musical silences were worth their weight in gold in contributing to the serene atmosphere of the concert. At other times, KAP and GP would come to the forefront with carefully chosen strokes to complement sangatis. During manOdharma segments, KAP's playing often won RV's appreciation, egging her on and anticipating the kind of approach she would take with near clairvoyance. The tani was very measured and really completed the kriti. GP was in the background for the most part but played with nice azhuttam and made a good team with KAP.
Of course, plaudits must go to Sumitra for her contributions to the concert. She would often sing the upper reaches of ragas, and I thought her shankarAbharaNam had some special touches of her own. More than anything though, her music was very aligned to RV's own perspective and the camraderie between the two ensured there were no jarring moments in the concert, which often occur with accompanists.
Lastly, there is such beautiful ambience in Raga Sudha Hall, which must claim part of the credit for the success of any concert held here. As Nick says, there was a certain warmth last evening, and there is great intimacy between the audience and the artistes, which is something other venues do not afford.
It was an absolutely beautiful concert by Smt. Vedavalli and her team, with all of the quietness and dignity of her admirably minimalist music on display, and my only major gripe is that she doesn't have more concerts scheduled this season.
Of course, the concert also allowed me an opportunity to chat with Nick and Arasi, and I had the honour of having a word with Sri RKSK and meeting Nada Inbam's Jaya mami, who probably single-handedly contributes much of the warmth that Raga Sudha exudes! Pity Prashant had to leave in a hurry - he is not around much this season, so it was the only real opportunity to speak to him.
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squims
- Posts: 447
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Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
I'm going to ask my usual question after reading such concert reports... RECORDINGS PLEASE?
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Nick H
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- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 02:03
Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
Sorry, but I don't. Events like this make me wish I did, though!
There were some people there from AIR, recording the concert on some gadget-droolworthy equipment. I wonder if it will be broadcast?
Bilahari, what a wonderful review. I wish I had 10% of the technical appreciation.
There is a feeling, sometimes, with RV, SV and RKSK, in manodharma, that they are not so much taking their turns, but blending seamlessly with each other in performing together.
When it comes to the Season Fashion Pages, there are names that are regularly mentioned, and I don't imagine that they often include the elders such as Smt V. Maybe they should! Within the boundaries of simple traditional taste, the gold sari that she wore yesterday was amazing!
There were some people there from AIR, recording the concert on some gadget-droolworthy equipment. I wonder if it will be broadcast?
Bilahari, what a wonderful review. I wish I had 10% of the technical appreciation.
They do this from time to time, like Smt V suddenly interjects, "try this! ...and this!". Occasionally it happens with RKSK too. It is amazing to watch Sumithra in that support role, a model of 100% concentration on her teacher, and happy to take one line or a hundred lines in a concert, just as requested.There was a period where RV and SV alternated with each other in the tAra stAyi, and it was almost like watching a music lesson. Great stuff.
There is a feeling, sometimes, with RV, SV and RKSK, in manodharma, that they are not so much taking their turns, but blending seamlessly with each other in performing together.
Certainly, although the ambience yesterday was exceptional. Glance at her during any of these wonderful concerts, and you will see a wonderful smile on her face.Jaya mami, who probably single-handedly contributes much of the warmth that Raga Sudha exudes!
When it comes to the Season Fashion Pages, there are names that are regularly mentioned, and I don't imagine that they often include the elders such as Smt V. Maybe they should! Within the boundaries of simple traditional taste, the gold sari that she wore yesterday was amazing!
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srikant1987
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- Joined: 10 Jun 2007, 12:23
Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
PHOTO please!Within the boundaries of simple traditional taste, the gold sari that she wore yesterday was amazing!
Bharath?Bilahari, Did RKSK remember you from that lecdem he gave last year?
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bilahari
- Posts: 2631
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 09:02
Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
Indeed, Smt. Vedavalli's dignified presence needs a special mention!
Srikant, surprisingly, RKSK DID remember me. Most musicians don't remember me from random meetings, which is why I rarely go up and speak to them and ask the dreaded "oh, do you remember me from your Sept 23rd concert in San Diego last year", but RKSK is no ordinary person!
Srikant, surprisingly, RKSK DID remember me. Most musicians don't remember me from random meetings, which is why I rarely go up and speak to them and ask the dreaded "oh, do you remember me from your Sept 23rd concert in San Diego last year", but RKSK is no ordinary person!
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rajeshnat
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Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
Bilahari
Very nicely written review. Keep them coming.
Very nicely written review. Keep them coming.
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prashant
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Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
arasi & bilahari: Sorry I missed you both since I had to leave right after the concert. Was nice to briefly meet Sri Nandagopal, though...
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rajeshnat
- Posts: 10121
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04
Re: R Vedavalli @ Nada Inbam, 23/Dec/2011
Prashant
I did see in concert listing you had a concert in meenakshi college few weeks back . Hope it went well.
I did see in concert listing you had a concert in meenakshi college few weeks back . Hope it went well.