Violin: M. Chandramouli
Mridangam: Mannargudi Eshwaran
Ghatam: Karthick
Theme: Greatness of Thyagaraja
1. Theliyalerurama - Dhenuka, Deshadi (someone please fill me in if there was something before this)
2. Evarani - Devamrutavarshini, Adi
3. Ilalao - Athana, Adi
4. Sriramapadama - Amrutavahini, Adi
5. Chera raavadhemiraa - Reethigowla, Deshadi
6. Nidhichala - Kalyani, Mishra chapu
7. Dasukovalena - Thodi, Mishra Jhamapa
8. Uyyalaluguvaiyya - Neelambari, Khanda chapu
9. Nadupai - Madhyamavati, Khanda chapu
Once again, a good concert that could have risen to another level if it were longer.
In the beginning, especially in the kalpana swarams for theliyaleru, I felt the percussion was overpowering and that I couldn't hear OST very well, but as the concert proceeded I think the sound settled and became more balanced. Brief swaras were sung for ilalao, almost all were sarvalaghu. Krithi after krithi was being rendered beautifully no doubt, but we had to wait until Nidhichala to hear some solid manodharma. Although the ragam sketch was brief, neraval was rendered at sumathi thyagaraja in both speeds (the mel kalam was quite brief). Swarams were sung in both speeds too and as far as I remember there was no grand flourish/ "kanakku" in the end; nevertheless was enjoyable. The Thodi ragam was extremely memorable. Shri OST delved into not one, but two gruhabhedams - one at ri, to mohanam and the other at ma, to Natabhairavi/ Saramathi. Both, especially the former, lasted much longer than a usual gruhabhedam. The violin return was very good too (except couple of places where I felt it was slightly off shruti) despite not indulging in any gruhabhedam (there was probably a brief one at ma, but it was hard to tell). Neraval and swaram in 2 speeds sung at soumithri thyagaraja were immensely absorbing. He concluded with a kuraippu at mel sa followed by a customary kanakku. The thani that followed was nothing short of fireworks. Shri Mannargudi Eshwaran kept the audience gripped from start to end. Shri Karthick also ably supported. At the end of the thani Shri OST narrated the story of how many years ago he and Shri Eshwaran had performed this very song for AIR and how outstanding the thani had been back then. Apparently the latter suggested he sing the same song today just as they were getting on stage and the former readily agreed. He shared with the audience that he was proud of this long and enriching association with Shri Eshwaran. It's always interesting and heartening to hear stories about close associations among great artists and this was no exception.
The Neelambari was very soothing and served as a perfect follow up to the main piece.
Overall, an enjoyable concert.