Kasthuri Rangan @ Nadasurabhi on 15.4.2012

[kssr]

The invitation reads as follows:


Nadasurabhi Cultural Association, (Regd.)
662, 6th Cross, 17th Main , 3rd Block, Koramangala, Bangalore.560 034.
Phone: 25539368. Email:[email protected] Web: http://nadasurabhi.org

Cordially invites you for the Monthly Programme on
Sunday, 15th April 2012 at 4.15 PM

Venue: The Indian Heritage Academy Hall,
6th Block, Near Police Station, Koramangala, Bangalore. 560 095.

A Grand Vocal Recital
By
Vidwan Kasthuri Rangan - Vocal
Vidwan B.Raghuram -Violin
Vidwan B.C.Manjunath - Mridangam
Vidushi Sukanya Ramgopal - Ghatam

All are Welcome.

Vidwan Kasthuri Rangan is a senior Carnatic vocalist from Chennai. Being a disciple of Sri.T.N.Seshagopalan, he is today a frontrunner in carrying forward the TNS baani. Sri.Kasthuri Rangan’s music conforms to the most traditional carnatic system. At the same time, his voice is naturally endowed with a rich, decorative and briga laden style besides being intrinsically sweet and melodious to listen to. He is an A Grade artist of AIR. He has performed widely in India as well as in tours to Europe, Gulf , East Asia and Canada. He has released several cassettes and CDs. Right from an early age, he has won numerous awards from prestigious organizations including special Music Academy scholarship for Pallavis. For more details on the concert contact 25539368 or email: nadasurabhi at yahoo dot co dot uk

[kssr]

It is tomorrow. All are welcome. Hope to be there.

[kssr]

Vibrant concert by Kasthuri Rangan at Nadasurabhi

15th April, Sunday amidst several Ramanavami concerts all over Bangalore and an IPL match in the city itself, saw an exciting concert at Nadasurabhi. The main artist from Chennai, Sri.Kasthuri Rangan is an unmistakable student of maestro T.N.Seshagopalan. He started his concert with the Kedaragowla varnam Sami daya judu followed by the traditional ganesha stuti in Gowla, Sree Mahaganapathim. It was nicely embellished by a few timing and spacing tricks. He then plunged deep into Hamsanandi raga alapana, which is unusual so early on in the concert. After a good reply by violinist B.Raghuram, Kasthuri Rangan went on to once again elaborate the raga using a grand virutham , an Azhwar paasuram, Chediyaya val vinaigal theerkkum tirumaale. The key word of the verse "padiyaai" signifying Lord venkateswara's temple's "steps" was highlighted by using "stepwise" swaras- a very smart innovation indeed. Hamsaanandi song was a Purandaradasa composition Tirupati Venkata Ramana. Neraval and swaram were not left out. Nambide ninnaya charana, where this was done completed the wholesome treatment of this raga which is normally used only for a thukkada.

The Ritigowla piece Guruvaayurappane appan was run through quickly. Alapana in raga Rasikapriya followed by the song AruLcheyya vendum ayya was rendered next. Varamu ragam (aka Suddha Hindolam) and Subramanya Bharathi's Saagaa Varam arulvaai was a listener's delight. The word Varam (boon) was slightly twisted to support the ragam's name was interesting. The composition is presumably set to tune by Sri.TNS himself. So far the concert had a strong inclination towards Tamil songs.The main item of the evening was Mohanam followed by the moving entreaty of Thyagaraja, Nannu Paalimpa.It was very well presented with excellent swara prasthaaram covering all three octaves.

Important among the final numbers was quite an elaborate treatment of a Kabir bhajan, "Hari naama smarane kyon Chodu Diya?" with the lines sung in virutham and the same with accompaniments. Interestingly he also branched off to present Sruti bedhams at such a late stage of the concert. Other thukkadas were a Tilang slokam Krishnaaya Vasudevaaya followed by Smara Vaaram Vaaram, a Dwajawanthi version of Rama Rama Rama Rama Raaamaa enniro, Sita.. and a thillana in Sindhubhairavi.

Overall a very good concert ably supported by Sri. Raghuram, B.C. Manjunath and the inimitable Sukanya Ramgopal.

[arvind.brahmakal]

4.15 pm on the third sunday of every month...has to be Nadasurabhi ! One can set the clock to the time the concert begins...

The concert by Kasturirangan was a delight to the connoisseur. His choice of raagas, krithis, nereval, swaras and shruthi bedha was unique and reminiscent of TNS. Moving Hamsanandi to the front of the concert was a welcome change as this raaga has so much to offer in terms of expansiveness. Also, getting a Purandara Dasa krithi to the front was appreciable. There were 3 gowlas - Kedaragowla, Gowla and Reetigowla..an interesting triplet ), though there is pretty little in common between them. There was national integration too ....telugu, kannada, tamil, hindi albeit with preponderance of tamil songs.

Rasikapriya, the 72nd mela was beautifully rendered with emphasis on ri and da notes that enhanced the colour of the raaga. The krithi Arulcheyya vendum ayya and swaras were presented with emotional intelligence ! Personally, liked this a lot.

Mohana raaga was chosen for a detailed delineation and the raaga bhava was wonderfully brought out. The krithi rendition was a bit pacy to my liking ...Nannu Paalimpa Nadachi Vachittivo...maybe, to fit the concert time plan. The swaras were beautifully laced together that elevated the mohana experience.

Sindhubhairavi tillana was very pleasant and a good end to an innovative and off beat concert.

B Raghuram on the violin was in his elements for the mohana main and provided good support through the concert. B C Manjunath on the mridangam and Sukanya Ramgopal teamed up quited well to enhance the concert experience. The tani avartanam had interesting and intricate taala patterns that brought to fore the experience and expertise of the artistes.

I wish to thank Nadasurabhi for providing an opportunity for rasikas to enjoy the live program - wonderful service to the cause of promoting fine arts over such a long period of time. Nadasurabhi, hats off !

[rajeshnat]

a Dwajawanthi version of Rama Rama Rama Rama Raaamaa enniro, Sita..

This krithi usually has two versions floating around , one in vasantha and the other in thillang. Never knew there is one more dwijAvanti.
Tx, KSSR and Aravind for your reviews . KasturiRangan is a terrific singer who has amazing voice power .HamsAnandi as a submain is kind of popularized by two jambhavans in 80's and 90's one was TNS and the other TVS . I particularly like both these musicians and their sishyas taking up and promoting hamsAnandi up in the order.

[Sreeni Rajarao]

dwijAvanti version of rAma rAma rAma sItA rAma enniro!!

Caught my attention also!

I have heard vasanta and tillang.

[CRama]

TNS has used this rama rama enniro song as a conduit to explore the vistas of various ragas. I myself have heard in Hamsadhwani, Panthuvarali, hamsanandi, Lalith (Commercial recording is available). Recently I stmbled upon this song sung by TNS in Shanmugapriya in an elaborate manner.

[kssr]

dwijAvanti version of rAma rAma rAma sItA rAma enniro!!

Here is the clipping. See if we are talking about the same song.

http://www.mediafire.com/?8mon077ko679m33

[Sreeni Rajarao]

KSSR,
Thanks for the clip!

After listening to the clip, I realized we were not talking about the same song. So, I have edited my earlier post #6.