OST AT MUDHRA ON 28/12

[CRama]

OS.Thyagarajan gave a good performance in the INfosys Hall, Ramakrishna Mission School, on 28/12 organised by MUDHRA. He was accompanied by Shri Nagai Muraleedharan on the violin, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Tiruchi Sankaran on the Mridangam, V.Suresh on the Ghatam. The list of songs:
Varnam- Natakurinji.
Guruleka- Gowrimanohari.
Sogasuga mrudanga talamu-Sreeranjini
Sanatana Paramapavana- Phalamanjari
Nijadasavarada-Kalyani
Slokam-Vande Mataram- Suruti,Hamsanandi,Navarasakannada
Naan oru vilayattu bommaya-Navarasakannada
Nadupai-Madhyamavathi
Mangalam.

OST's music is pure classical, maintains adherence to strict patantharam, sruti sudham, and normally maintains a sense of proportion. He packs his concert with mostly Thyagaraja Kritis. Even the post thani items will be of weighty stuff.

Yesterday's concert started with Natakurinji Varnam in two kalams. For Guruleka, neraval was done at Thathwabodhanajesi and elaborate swaras in second kalam were rendered. With Tiruchi Sankaran in his team he was naturally tempted to take up Sogasuga Mridanga talamu. The kriti was rendered with all sangathis intact and swaras were rendered at Navarasayudahridiche. THe swaras had very attractive combinations. After Sanatana, the first and only ragam for the day- Kalyani was taken up for elaboration. It was treated very elaborately for about 25 minutes. There was sruti bhedam to Sudhadhanyasi. Another sruti bhedam was also attempted- The raga did not come up clearly- Looked like Harikambodi. Nijadasavarada was chosen for the main song. This song , I have not heard for many years. The song, with neraval at Bhujagadhipasayana Bhoomijaramana and elaborate swaras were presented. It had very lengthy koraippu and the swaras were very engaging. After the main song other tail enders were presented and the concert concluded with mangalam.

The violin was Ok. His alapanas were good and the replies to neravals and swara were appropriate. Yesterday was Sankaran sir's day. His playing for kritis, neravals, swarams were top notch with precise anticipations. He closely followed the sahithyam and greatly embellished the songs. It was never loud or obtrusive. The thani was of very high order and each round invited applause from the listeners. Not a single person walked out during the thani which lasted for 25 minutes. Suresh on the Ghatam also complimented well.

But I have some complaints. I will never be satisfied with one raga alapana in a full concert. The main ragam was taken at as early as 7.05 pm. (The concert started at 6.30pm). I thought a pallavi may follow. But it did not. The raga was unduly stretched for 25 minutes. Better planning could have included one more alapana- either for Sreeranjini or a short Pallavi. However, the ragas taken for Slokam- Suruti and Hamsanandi were rendered elaborately. But I think there were some other compulsion. Because normally the concert will extend up to 9 or 9.15 PM. Yesterday it ended at 8.45 PM. Even Nadupai was rushed through. Secondly, I do not like Nadupai to be relegated as a tail end piece. It deserves a neraval and swaram as many musicians have done. Just because it is in Madhyamavathi, it do not deserve to be taken as mangalam.

[rajeshnat]

Crama
Tx for the review, I always feel shri OST can bit focus more on tukkadas , it is always fairly quick finish. His usual finish will have nAdupai and some times lAli yugave in neelAmbari. But it must be wonderful to hear Sankaran sir- Ghatam suresh combo along with nAgai muralidharan too... Very very impressive team.

[jodha]

OST many times sings rAgam un proportionately long.The problem is he just repeats the sangathis and fails to sing some of the essential sangathis.His popularity plummeted because of this.

[squims]

OST many times sings rAgam un proportionately long.The problem is he just repeats the sangathis and fails to sing some of the essential sangathis.

I've felt this in only one concert recording where he sings a Todi, but in general I find his aalaapanais to be extremely good.