DrNarmada's violin solo at Bhairavi Pudhuchery on15-7-12

[Ponbhairavi]

Dr.Narmada’s violin solo at Bhairavi Pudhucheryon15-7-12.

Kalaimamani. Dr Narmada- violin
ThillaisthanamR. Suriyanarayanan-mridangam.
D.V. Venkatasubramaniam-ghatam


Sarajuda-varnam saveri
Mahaganapathi-nattai
Raghuvamsa sudha-kadanakuduhalam
Arulavendum thaye-saramathi
Sadinchane-arabhi
Katrinile varum – misra jonpuri
Sobillu saptaswara-jaganmohini
Ma Janaki- kambhoji ( r, n @vanimata ,s thani )
Kuraiyonrumillai- Ragamalika
Kaliyuga varadhanai -brindavana saranga
Aduvome- Ragamalika
R.T.P> Kiravani- madhava kesava ...?: - kanda jathi triputa thalam-mini thani
Thamarai pootha thadagamadi – Sindhu bhairavi?
Adum chidambaramo-preceded by a haunting alapana of behag
Chinnanchiru kiliye- ragamalika
Swagatham Krishna-mohanam
Alaipayude-kanada
Note
Thirupugazh-hamsanandhi
Hariharatmajam-
Pavamana-

That Dr. Narmada was able to provide such a sumptuous fare for nearly three hours without any string support speaks volumes about her mastery over the instrument.The judicious mixture of fast and slower numbers popular and weighty pieces made her hold the tempo of the concert which did not sag for any minute Ma Janaki in kamboji was the
main item with detailed raga alapana niraval and swaram where she exhibited the inherited spl M S G technique.The R T P in kiravani was well executed where she alternated the swarams with the percussionists a la kerala navarathri type. She gave brindavana saranga an hindusthani type of raga alapana followed by the carnatic kaliyuga varadhanai. She sang in between explained briefly some notions and above all her pleasant composure and readiness to give whatever the audience wanted enabled good interaction rapport with the audience which made the concert a grand success.The percussionists played their part unobtrusively keeping low whenever needed to let the strings’ mellinams sing their own music in the attentive silence that the audience kept throughout.

[arasi]

Ponbhairavi,
Thanks for the review. Your single paragraph of a review captures the essence of Narmada's playing. As you say,
'the judicious mixture of fast and slower numbers--of fast and weighty pieces' speak of her stage craft and 'her mastery over the instrument'.
Her composure and the smile which is patent, the ability to bring the words of a song alive are other specialities of hers. I have heard her play with her father of course, and as an accompanying artiste.Hope to catch a solo this season.

I heard Venkitasubramanian accompanying Sumitra Nitin for the CD release concert of InidE vandaruLvAn.

[tkb]

I understand the concert went well and the enhancing artists were also of great quality. IMO, indeed that helps for a successful concert as it is also team work that matters!

[Ponbhairavi]

Arasi,
thanks. The rapport she built with the audience was such that after the concert, many went to the stage to convey their happiness and appreciation and this kept her tied to the stage for 20 minutes more although she was in a hurry as she had to have dinner and leave to chennai by car that night itself(after 10-30 pm ) to catch a morning flight to Delhi.
The last time she played was with her father M.S.G. in the same venue in jan 1984, An unforgettable event for me as secy in the history of bhairavi because the ithen Lt Governor of Pondicherry Shri kona Prabhakara Rao who has heard of MS G.s reputation came to the humble concert venue on hs own without any formal invitation and sat through. I wanted to remind this to Dr Narmada after the concert but I had no chance as i had to leave in a great hurry.