Sri. T N Seshagopalan @ Unnati, Bangalore on 05/08/2012

[squims]

Vocal: Sri T N Seshagopalan
Violin: Sri M R Gopinath
Mridangam: Sri Mannargudi Easwaran
Kanjari: Sri Guruprasanna

1. Evvari bodhana (varnam) [S]- Abhogi - Adi - Patnam Subramanya Iyer
swarams @mArubAri
2. Mahaganapatim - Naatta - Ekam - Muthuswamy Dikshitar
3. Sadinchene [R] - Arabhi - Adi - Tyagaraja
4. Aparamabhakti [R N S] - Kamavardhini - Rupakam - Tyagaraja
neraval and swarams @tripatalanu
5. Naa ninna dhyanadaliralu - Kaanada - Misra Chapu - Purandaradasa
6. Ranganayakam [R] - Nayaki - Adi (2 kalai) - Muthuswamy Dikshitar
7. Govardhana girisham - Hindolam - Rupakam - Muthuswamy Dikshitar
8. Etavunara [R N S T] - Kalyani - Adi (2 kalai) - Tyagaraja
neraval and swarams @sItA gaurI
9. Viruttam (sAyankAlE vanAntE) - Raagamalika (20+ raagams sung for the phrase 'navarasa bharitaihi')
followed by Narajanma bandaaga - Madhuvanthi - Adi - Purandaradasa
10. Nandanatanaya - Abheri - Adi - Purandaradasa
11. Tillana - Sindhu Bhairavi - Adi
12. Vijayagopalate mangalam - Surutti - Adi - Narayana Teertha
followed by Mangala Slokam (srikAntAya) - Madhyamavathi

Was a fantastic concert. The legend was really in his element. Like one of the organisers mentioned during the speech, he really was like Sachin Tendulkar set out to prove his detractors wrong with an unforgettable century.
Very traditional fare with the varnam and Ganapati invocation to start off. Some nice brisk swarams were sung in Abhogi.
A fairly elaborate aalaapanai in Arabhi was followed by Sadinchene. I was hoping for neraval or swarams, but he moved on to the next piece.
Kamavardhini was the sub main. Excellent aalaapanai, with TNS's own stamp on the raagam. Very high energy neraval and swarams.
Brief filler in Kaanada.
A lovely aalaapanai in Nayaki followed. Just brilliant. One of my favourite compositions in the raagam followed. Again, lack of neraval or swarams was a slight disappointment.
Filler in Hindolam.
Then came the Kalyani! For someone who isn't particularly fond of the raagam, and has complained of lack of bhaavam in the raagam, this was like a slap across the face. The Kalyani almost left me with tears of happiness in my eyes. What an aalaapanai! Spanning almost all 3 octaves effortlessly, it was just pure bliss. The kriti was well sung, with detailed neraval in both speeds. Swarams were sung with a looooong session of kuraippus.
A neat set of tukkudas to wrap things up.

About the accompanists:

Sri M R Gopinath accompanied very well throughout. Very sensitive playing. The Nayaki aalaapanai seemed to tread dangerously close to Darbar for my liking. Other than that, excellent accompaniment.

I don't think anything needs to be said about Easwaran maama. He was stellar as always. He played the longest thani that I have ever heard from him. Almost 20 minutes, and every minute worth it.

Sri Guruprasanna accompanied competently on the kanjari. Matching the mridangam maestro is no easy task. The thani was definitely one of the highlights of the concert.

Overall, it was a sumptuous feast of great music.

[mohan]

Seems like a fantastic concert. Love the list in the traditional concert format!

[braindrain]

9. Viruttam (sAyankAlE vanAntE) - Raagamalika (9 raagams sung for the phrase 'navarasa bharitaihi')

It was his typical fair. After vasanta,moanam and khamas for the slokam, the line 'navarasa' was sung in a flurry of ragams, 20+ as I noted.

It was fabulous concert with pantuvarali swarams, nayaki alapana and the neraval and swara of kalyani being the highlights.

[Thalaivarda]

there was so much time left, since concert started at 5:45. i thought a pallavi could have been squeezed after the kalyani.

[kssr]

"A fairly elaborate aalaapanai in Arabhi was followed by Sadinchene. I was hoping for neraval or swarams, but he moved on to the next piece."

It is unusual for an elaborate raagam before pancharatnam. But that is TNS. To ask for neraval and swaram is a bit too much. A giant musician and what a selection of kritis. Thanks for the review.

[mahavishnu]

a couple of clips from the concert (courtesy UnnatiNGO).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdW0xF06Kbc&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F27khnCIxu8&feature=plcp

[squims]

It was his typical fair. After vasanta,moanam and khamas for the slokam, the line 'navarasa' was sung in a flurry of ragams, 20+ as I noted.

Ah you were there Jayan! Didn't see you!
And also 20+ ? I lost count very soon, so I just assumed there were around 9.

[arasi]

Or nine multiplied by three--twenty one?

[srikant1987]

9 × 3 = 27

[arasi]

Thanks, Srikant! Among other exercises they recommend to keep a senior mind sharp, they should include the multiplication table
Hope my grandchildren don't get to see my post
Some of you on the forum know of my tALam keeping already, so it comes as no surprise, I guess. kuTTup paTTAlum mOdirakkaiyyAl paDa vENDum--better be corrected by the distinguished!
A bright scientist (technologist?) to my rescue! Thanks...

[srikant1987]

kuTTup paTTAlum mOdirakkaiyyAl paDa vENDum--better be corrected by the distinguished!

Hadn't thought of that, or I would have left it for your grandchildren to see the post!