DR. PANTULA RAMA AT VANI MAHAL ON 18/02

[CRama]

On 18 Feb, Dr.Pantula Rama presented the concert. She was accompanied by Shri.MSN.Murthy on the violin, Shri Neyveli Narayanan the Mridangam and Shri.Trichy Krishnaswamy on the Ghatam. The list of songs.

Nadathanumanisam-Chitharanjini-Aadi
Madhilona yochanabuttaleda-Kolahalam-Aadi
Meevallagunadoshamemi-Kapi-Khandachapu
Raghupathe rama Rakshasabheema-Sahana-Roopakam
Raghuvara-Panthuvarali-Aadi
Thani
Rama rama rama rama Seetha rama-Chenjuruti
Jo Jo Rama- reethigowla
Jaya Mangalam- Mohanam

After the first song, a brief alapana of raga Kolahalam was rendered which I am hearing for the first time. It is a janya of Sankarabharanam. The swaras in the second kalam rendered in the pallavi line had very interesting combinations. This was followed by an elaborate alapana of Kapi which was degree coffee itself, that lasted for about 7 minutes. The kriti was rendered well with all the usual sangathis and elaborate swaras in 2 kalams were rendered. Next Sahana was taken for elaboration which lasted for 10 minutes. She presented some unusual prayogams in the mandrasthayi. While singing kalpana swaras she sang in an innovative style. She sang first kala swaras suffixing with Raghupathe and second kala swaras suffixing Raakshasabheema alternatively. This has been done to match with the character of Rama and Raakshasa- Rama for sowkhyam and Raakshasa for aggressiveness.

After this, the main ragam of the day, Panthuvarali was taken up for a very detailed treatment- in three stages stretching for about 15 minutes. The raga was sung in a very sedate manner and her singing reminded me of the style of Voleti employing sancharams devoid of sa and pa and some prayogams in Hindusthani flourish. Neraval was done at Manasuna nee kai Marulukonnanura and elaborate swarams rendered. Thani was for 10 minutes. Post thani, the two Divyanama keerthanams were rendered and the mangalam was a rare mangalam in Mohanam.

The selection of songs failed to offer the viruviruppu for the concert. Eventhough Kapi was degree coffee it failed to impart necessary energy for the concert. May be it was too early for a coffee. The swaras for Sahana, it is a new innovation. But when you hear the first kala swara after the second kala swara, it fails to impress. The second kalam swaram was energetic and next when you hear a sedate first kalam swaram, it gives a laid back atmosphere. Then Panthuvarali is not a good choice for the main ragam. In the neraval for Raghuvara, I heard many others singing Manasuna neekae and she sang Manasuna nee kai. Hailing from Telugu desam, her pronounciation must be correct only.

The accompanists did their job well. Shri Murthy on the violin lent good support. His alapanas and returns for neraval and swaras were impressive. Neyveli Narayanan is a seasoned Vidwan and he played with good anticipations and his thani was good. Some may not agree with my above observations also. But a Good concert for two hours.

[rajeshnat]

CRama
Two pantuvarAli's in succession - both malladi and pantulA , still you did not get that excitement.

[ganeshkant]

Two pantuvarAli's in succession - both malladi and pantulA , still you did not get that excitement.

When Malladi eloborated PantuvarAli I told Crama that probably they may sing raghuvara.They didn't.But it gives me a bit of satisfaction though I didn't attend this concert.

KJY & SJ sings this kriti in a malayALam movie with R,N & S.The movie was remade in Tamizh also with SivakumAr as hero and the kriti was the same.Can't get the names of the movies.

[satyabalu]

* Nice review CRama !Looks like I badly missed out this fine concert