Carnatica Brothers concert in Portland

[KrithikaRajagopal]

It was yet another evening of music. But, how different was this one from the others? With unswerving adherence to classicism, every note filled with aesthetic sense and melody, shruti intact, the Carnatica brothers (K.N.Shashikiran and Chitravina.P.Ganesh) took it all. On the violin was Nagai Muralidharan and on the mridangam was Srimushnam Raja Rao.

The evening started off with a short Chitravina recital by Ganesh. He started off with a beautiful Teratheeyaga Radha in Gowlipantu. It was a perfect start for the evening. This was followed by Rama Nannu Brovara in Kambodhi. Kaligiyunte followed which was preceded by a short ragam and tanam. Tanam was on the request of the Sri Mushnam Raja Rao and Ganesh instantly agreed to play making it a crisp and a fine tanam. The short chitravina recital ended with a tillana of Lalgudi Jayaraman in Dwijavanti.

The vocal concert of Sri. K.N.Shashikiran and P.Ganesh started off with Sri Vighna Rajam bhaje. Here is the list.

1) Sri Vighna Rajam bhaje - Gambeera Nattai - Kanda Chappu
2) Rama Bhakti - Shuddha Bangala - Saint Tyagaraja
3) Ekkalatilum - Nattai kurinji - Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer
4) Bhogindra Shyeenam - Kuntala Varali- Swati Tirunal
5) Rasikapriya - RTP with a listener choice of Ragamalika in Mohanam, Varali, Ahiri, Valachi.
6) Ini enna peche - Sahana
7) Cheline netlu - Paras
8 ) Guruvara bantamma - Madhyamavati
9) Mangalam

The brilliant RTP was thematically chosen as the organization was 'Rasika'. The pallavi had a yati pattern with a Srotovaha Yati in the purvanga until the Aridi, and a Gopuccha yati in the uttaranga. In the manodharma part, the swaras were filled to match the words right. Although, it was all filled with complex mathematical patterns, it made one feel that the singing was very simple. One could understand the effort they had put in, in bringing such effortlessness in their rendition. Ganesh innately changed raga every minute according to the listener's choice without any slips.

Nagai Muralidharan and Sri Mushnam Raja Rao gave a wonderful accompaniment. The weather could have been better, it was snowing in most parts and the normal Carnatic music connoisseurs were missing. Nevertheless, the concert was a complete treat.

[Always_Evolving]

It's good to hear about the successes of the C-Brothers and great to hear about Ganesh's chitravina concerts, which are all too few and far between.

The mridangam vidwan's name starts with Srimushnam (not Sri Mushnam). Rama Nannubrovara is Harikambodhi and the ragam is Nattaikurunji (no space).

[KrithikaRajagopal]

Sorry about the slip there! and thanks for the corrections!