VIJAYALAKSHMI SUBRAMANIAM-KGS-29/07

[CRama]

As a part of the Sahithyanubhava Series, Smt. Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam presented a very scholarly concert accompanied by H.N.Bhaskar on the violin, J.Vaidyanathan on the Mridangam and BS Purushotham on the Kanjira. The list of songs.

Nadathanumanisam - Chitharanjini
Sobillu Sapthaswara - Jaganmohini
Ragasudhaarasa- Aandolika
Naadasudharasa-Aarabhi
Mokshamugalada-Saaramathi
Sogasuga- Sreeranjini
Nadopaasana- Begada
Sangeethajnanamu-Dhanyasi
Slokam on Thyagaraja- Vyaso naigama charchaya-
Ragamalika- Kalyani, Sindubhairavi and Suruti.
Geethaarthamu- Suruti.

The theme of the concert was Nadopasana of Thyagaraja. Thyagraja has composed many songs on this theme and some of them were presented with full justification to the sahithya and message conveyed through the songs. The meaning of each song was explained in lucid English and Tamil which enhanced the listening pleasure. An appropriate balance was maintained between both the streams of music- kalpana and kalpitha. Raga alapanas of Andolika, Sreeranjini and Begada were rendered. Begada was rendered very elaborately and it was very scholarly. Rarely you will get a chance to hear such elaborate alapana of Begada. Quite appropriate to the theme , Nadopasana song was rendered in most fitting kalapramanam. Elaborate swarasa in two kalams were rendered at Thanthreelaya with some interesting kuraippu. There was no neraval for this line. In the first half of the concert, Neraval was done at Swaramulaaru Okatikhandalu for the song Naadasudharasampilanu in Arabhi. The swaras for this song contained very attractive patterns. For Sogasuga, second kalam swaras were rendered at Navarasayuthahridiche.

The slokam was on Thyagaraja and kalyani was rendered elaborately. Geetharthamu provided a fitting end to the concert.

The accompanists played their role with great level of understanding which contributed to the success of the concert. The thani was brief.

We, the rasikas should be grateful to KGS and the sponsors of this series for it opens a new horizon for us in enjoying the kritis, beyond the musical aspects. At one juncture, VS also expressed her gratitude to KGS for this opportunity given to her which prompted her to dwelve deep into many secrets embedded in the kritis, which one may not plunder into while giving a normal concert.

The concert was very good and maintained the high standard that can be expected in a VS concert. I have given a simple review. I expect that the regular reporter of VS concert will give his highly euphoric review of this chaste carnatic music concert in typical hindustani ishtyle.

[mahavishnu]

Thanks, CRama. I especially enjoyed the last line of your review

[satyabalu]

* We have atleast more than a dozen kritis of Thiagaraja portraying his Nadopasana with virtuosity . Curiously,to my observation, there is no pradimadhyama in any of these- mostly falling under 15,20,21,22,29 touching both Kritis on Rama as well as on Siva.Putting Geetharthamu as a finale is also more appropriate.
* Perhaps this is the first time I have come to realise someone could demonstrate that with these kritis a cutchery format is feasible &a wholesome programme can be executed. Also to quote CRama " it opens a new horizon for us in enjoying the kritis, beyond the musical aspects. "To me it looks that she has migrated beyond the level of a top notch performer to a research scholar on to a stage of Mentorship in making us aware of new facets out of unravelled gospel of treasures.

[mahavishnu]

Perhaps this is the first time I have come to realise someone could demonstrate that with these kritis a cutchery format is feasible &a wholesome programme can be executed.

Just FYI. Sowmya did an entire show for Jaya TV's MM on this theme about 7 years ago. You can find the videos here http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7891F953594A947E

[satyabalu]

*Nice .More to come emulating such people.Let us all join the league in welcoming such initiatives.To be fair to the artists, I may suggest, it is better to follow a protocol to upload the links in their respective threads although mention may be made for clarification esp., Kutcheri Reviews &Vidwans /Vidushis.. (I am sure artists who invariably have mutual respect&admiration would also prefer that way. ).

[HR]

Review of Smt. Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam's Thyagaraja Rasanubhava concert in THE HINDU

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp ... 719729.ece