PARASSALA PONNAMMAL AT MUSIRI'S HOUSE ON 25/12/11

[CRama]

I feel greatly blessed to have attended this concert of the nonagenarian held at the auspicious venue- the Great Musiri's house on the morning of Christmas Day. I was entering the house for the first time. Musiri is one musician whose music I enjoy very much. As I entered, I could sense a vibration inside my body. PP's music in Musiri's house- What a better way to celebrate Christmas for the music lovers. The concert started at 10.00 AM. She was accompanied by Mrs.Bhama Krishnan (vocal support), Akkarai Subbalakshmi on the violin, Mannargudi Easwaran on the Mridangam and Udipi Sridhar on the Ghatam. The list of songs:
Pada varnam- Saveri.
Ekadantham Bhajeham-Bilahari, M.Chapu, Deekshithar
Sarasaksha-Panthuvarali, Adi, Swati Thirunal
Paripalimsumani_Sudhasaveri-Adi, Thiruvisanallur Venkataramana Bhagavathar
Pahitharaskhupuralaya-Anandabhairavi,Adi,Swati Thirunal
Kripaya palaya-Charukesi,M.Chapu,Swati Thirunal
Raasavilaaasa-Kambodi,Adi 2 kalai,Swati Thirunal
Kaanthanodu chennu-Neelambari,Swati Thirunal
Kanakamayamaayeedum-Huseni, Utsavaprabandham,Swati Thirunal
Ilathalir sayane-Punnagavarali,Swati Thirunal
Parulannamata-Kapi, Javali
Smarajanaka-Behag,Swati Thirunal
Thillana-Dhanasree,Swati Thirunal

It was a sumptous feast for the listeners for more than 3.30 hours. We never felt that it is time for lunch. Mami was not tired even then. She would have sung for another one hour.

The Pada varam is new for me. The concert has started when I went. So do not know the start of the varnam. The concert had alapanas of Bilahari, Panthuvarali, Sudhasaveri,Anandabhairavi, Charukesi and Kambodi. Alapanas were not brief. All were of 5 minutes duration and some 10 minutes. Special mention should be made of Panthuvarali, Sudhasaveri and Kambodi. The Kambodi alapana was very elaborate traversing three octaves. There was no difficulty for Mami for negotiating in the high octave swaras. Kambodi alapana was shared by her student also. All the songs were treated with the gauravam it deserved- detailed alapanas and detailed swara exercises at the same time avoiding any excess. She took listeners to Padmanabha swami temple many times and rasikas sat totally mesmerised by the sruti sudham, sthana sudham, sahithya bhavam, raga bhavam, authentic sangathis and sense of proportion. Pahitharakshupuralaya was requested by me. I was longing for some of Musiri's favourites. She took Raasavilaasa - which was one of Musiri's favourites. (This song was popularisd by Alathur Bros). Neraval was done at Padayugavilasannavamaninoopura- a difficult place to handle. Elaborate swara prastharams in which there many round of half- avarthana and quarter avarthana swaras were rendered. The swaras were of highly aesthetic combinations. Post thani items were mostly listener's requests.

The accompanists were superb and they were listening to Mami's music with awe which was very much visible. Akkarai's violin was very much sweet and her solos and replies were very appropriate. Mami also applauded after her solos. Easwaran Mama was very closely following Mami and never intrusive and embellished the concert. Udipi Sreedhar also played very well. Their thani which lasted for 10 minutes received loud applause from the listeners.

Yesterday and today, I was fortunate to hear concerts by two nonagenarians - both of whom I have closely moved with. PP Mami and our family are close for many decades. Her sons are my close friends and I will always visit her house and have some talk about music whenever I visit TVM. Reg RKS, I had studied under Ramakanth Sir for some time and seen RKS from close quarters. Both the musicians have many things in common- their strict discipline in life as well in music, their simple life and no clamour for honour, money, opportunities. Their sadhakam and attitude towards life and music had enabled them to give such high quality music even in this age. We are really fortunate to hear this divine music. Prince Rama Varma had come and he had recorded the concert in video. He may post some clippings in you tube for us to enjoy. There were many other young musicians and music students in the audience.

RKS and PP- two great concerts I had listened during this season.

[Ranganayaki]

Thank you, C Rama for this rather touching review.

[rshankar]

A beautfiul review of what seems to have been a lovely concert. Thank you CRama.

[CRama]

A small correction - Paripalimsumani is by Kothavasal Venkatarama Iyer and is in Khanda chapu.

[semmu86]

This is baffling... They had advertised in the paper, that the concert was at 4 PM and when i was there, the security turned away saying that the concert got over in the morning itself

[CRama]

In tha booklet published by Nalli, it was given at 10 AM. That is how I went.

[rajeshnat]

A small correction - Paripalimsumani is by Kothavasal Venkatarama Iyer and is in Khanda chapu.

The sudda Saveri krithi is neither by Poochi Iyengar or Kottavasal venkatarama iyer . This is by Thiruvisanallur Venkataramana Bhagavathar. You can edit the first post itself

On a side note , if this golden girl sings for 3 and half hours at this age , I cannot imagine how she would have sung 3 to 5 decades before. Tx crama for your review , I had a chance few days back to hear another fresh vidwan/vidushi from ponnammAl's land , his name was ThamarakkAd govindan nambUthiri, he was not that old as the golden girl but definitely had the same golden touch(will surely review in few days).

[bilahari]

I too showed up at 4 p.m. per Saturday's newspaper listing. Sigh.

Never mind, I'll catch PP tonight at Raga Sudha.

CRama, that was a beautiful review. Thank you very much!

[Nick H]

The "official" word (I am on their e-mailling list) a few days back was 10.00am. That's when I posted the item on this forum. Then I heard it had been shifted. Either way, I could not attend because of another commitment. It's a great shame, though, that this confusion happened and many people missed the program.

[CRama]

Thanks Rajesh for the correction.
I have heard Thamarakad Govindan Namboodiri. Many concerts when I was in Kerala. Yes. He really sings well -retaining pristine classism. There are many such vidwans/vidushis in Kerala who idid not get exposed in Chennai music world.
Considering her age, why not rename golden girl as golden mother?
I wish AIR releases some of her old concerts commercially.

[CRama]

I wont be able to come today. Bilahari, pl post the review.

[bilahari]

CRama, will do.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

rajeshnat observes : "On a side note , if this golden girl sings for 3 and half hours at this age , I cannot imagine how she would have sung 3 to 5 decades before".

To me, PP's is a case of 'slow and steady wins the race'!

She has been thoroughly consisitent in her presentations. Numerous concerts - live and over the radio (especially from Kerala stations) have enthralled us.

Never over reacting to the surroundings, she presents a perfect picture of detachment (but one with full command of senses)- sort of portrayal of what is advocated in the Gita.

Pranaams to Mami.

[semmu86]

Never over reacting to the surroundings, she presents a perfect picture of detachment (but one with full command of senses)- sort of portrayal of what is advocated in the Gita.

Pranaams to Mami.

Beautiful

[kachapah]

I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PP Mami and Bhama Mami are so nice. They gave me a mini lesson after the concert!

[KNV]

I am back with Season Mania at its peak. I too attended this concert. The best concert I heard in the season. She belongs to that rare category of artists-Balsaraswathi, MS..... In just one sweep she brings out the essence & beautiful pidis of the raga. She is 86 years old. I was talking to her before the concert & to me she appeared a bit nervous. It is a sign of her commitment to deliver the best. If any person deserves Music Academy's Life Time Achievemnt Award it is Parassala Ponnammal.

[vasanthakokilam]

If any person deserves Music Academy's Life Time Achievement Award it is Parassala Ponnammal.

yes, absolutely. They invited her to sing there in 2009 which is a good first step. Such recognitions will only elevate the status of the Academy.

Here are a couple of snippets from that 2009 Music Academy concert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL8rVy6tiT4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSeZyufiuiQ

[maduraimini]

Thanks,CRama, for your detailed review of PP's concert. I love her music and I think she honors the music she sings, which is why it flows out like a stream. Thanks again.