PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

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CRama
Posts: 2939
Joined: 18 Nov 2009, 16:58

PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

Post by CRama »

Pallavi Durbar was organised by Carnatica and Parthasarathyswamy Sabha in Mylapore Fine Arts Club auditorium on three days - 3 to 5 August 2012, each day starting at 4.00 PM and extending upto 8.30 PM. The organisers also have the practice of honouring a veternal pallavi vidwan during this festival, and this time the title of Pallavi Chakravarthy was given to noted Pallavi exponent Tiruchi J.Venkataraman, a great Guru who has trained many students in the field of music.

The programme was inaugurated by Cleveland Sundaram who paid laurels to Sri JV and said that he richly deserved this honour although it was belated honour for him. Another Pallavi exponent Smt Suguna Purushothaman while felicitating Shri JV said that in a Durbar there may be many small kings, ministers, poets, vidushakas, etc, but there can be only one Chakravarthy that rightly is accorded to Shri JV. She mentioned about his generosity in passing on his knowledge to his sishyas and the care he has taken to mould them into first rank musicians. While delivering his acceptance speech, Shri JV placed the honour at the feet of his Guru Shri Alathur Venkatesa Iyer and other jambavans who moulded him- viz, Shri Ramanathapuram MN Kandaswamy, Shri Palani Subramania Pillai, Shri Palghat Mani Iyer etc. I find JV as a very simple person - very humble, and sensitive. While mentioning about his gurus, he could not stop from crying. He is very generous in passing on his knowledge to others. He is waiting for good students to go to him and take whatever they can assimilate from him.

Noted vidwans like Prof TR.Subramaniam, Smt.Suguna Purushothaman, Shri KS.Kalidas, a Mridangam vidwan of the Palani school and Shri Chithraveena Narasimhan adored the audience.

The inaugural concert was given by Vidushi Smt. TS.Sathyavathi from Bangalore, She is a disciple of veteran vidwan RK.Sreekantan and she is famous for her explorations in this genre of music. She was accompanied by Smt.Charulatha Ramanujam on the violin and Shri.HS.Sudheendra on the Mridangam. She commenced her concert with Pranavaakaaram Sidhivinayakam, a kriti on Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles, in the ragam Arabhi. This is an interesting compostion of Utthukadu Venkatasubba Iyer. In this song, the anupallavi and charam are set to Madhyamakalam. Raga Kamavardini was taken up for elaboration and the pallavi Achyutha Aananda Govinda Paahimam Murahara Soure Giridhara was taken up in Mishra Jhampa talam, 2 kalai, eduppu at mukkal edam. I liked her selection of this ragam as rarely we can hear RTP in Kamavardhini. This raga is usually reserved for the first slot in raga alapana segment which will not be very elaborate. The raga alapana was really elaborate, for about 15 minutes exploring new vistas of the ragam. The violin reply was appropriate on the lines of the vocalist which lasted for 7 minutes. Her tanam was unique- she rendered in a very deep voice which had a sync with the nadam of the mridangam. It was marvellous. After neraval, the customary trikalam was done followed by kalpana swaras which had very interesting combinations After executing the pallavi in tisra nadai the pallavi was sung in one kalai and then pratilomam was done. After a few rounds of swarams in I kalai the pallavi was sung in the original 2 kalai and wrapped up. It was a highly aesthetic presentation of a pallavi in a very scholarly manner.. The Mridangam had very nice nadam and his follow was quite appropriate and the thani was for about 10 nminutes and very enjoyable.

The next concert was by young vidwans Ramakrishnan Murthy and Bharat Sundar. They were accompanied by Sri.Nagai Sreeram on the violin and Shri.Tvm Balaji on the Mridangam. They chose Kalyani for elaboration and the pallavi was Venugaana lolam Kripaalavaalam in Adi Talam 4 kalai eduppu at mukkal edam. The raga alapana of Kalyani was started by RKMurthy and continued by Bharat Sundar. The raga alapana contained the typical pidis of the ragam and rendered very elaborately to suit the occasion. The pallavi was rendered in 4 kalai , then 2 kalai and 1 kalai with kalpana swaras. After the thani, trikalam and pratilomam was attempted at 1 kalai and the pallavi concluded. It was a good show by the young vidwans. Nagai Sreeram's playing was excellent. There was melody and sweetness through out his play and his vidwath and sadhakam was evident. Tvm Balaji added pep to the concert.

The second day's programme commenced with a Demonstration on Pallavi by Pallavi Chakravarthy Trichy J,Venkataraman. He took up a pallavi in Ragam Malavi set to Thisra Jhampa talam, Mishra nadai. The words were Aadum koothane adi paninthen aadaritharul. He was ably supported by his disciple Shri Trichy Pradeepkumar. The raga alapana was started by JV and continued by his disciple who gave a splended alapana. After doing trikalam,the pallavi was rendered like this (i) poorvangam in Madhyamakalam, utharangam in vilamba kalam, (ii) poorvangam in vilamba kalam, utharangam in Madhyamakalam (iii) poorvangam in Madhyamakalam, utharangam in durita kalam (iv)poorvangam in durita kalam, utharangam in Madhyamakalam and rendered swarams for all the above exercises. He demonstrated teermanam and kuraippu and concluded. He handled the show just like taking a class so that it could be useful for discerning students. When he announced the same, TRS who was in the audience said "Naangellam vayasaana vidhyarthikal". His disciple Pradeepkumar deserved accolades for assimilating and executing this difficult pallavi. There was no other accompaniment. The entire demonstration was highly intellectual exercise and provided wealth of knowledge for the students. But there were not many of them in the audience.

Palghat Sreeram, the multifaced singer presented the RTP in Shanmugapriya ragam and Khanda Triputa talam 2 kalai, eduppu at samam. The sahithyam was Nee thaan kamalapaadaa thunaye nin thaal gathiye arulvaay Sivabaalaa Muruga. Raga alapana was done very elaborately in two stages and neraval was done in Ragamalika - Hamsanandi, Bindumalini, Sahana, Behag and Thodi. His singing resembled Voleti. He proved his versatility in handling various instruments also. The tanam was rendered in keyboard and the swaras for Bindumalini was rendered in flute. He executed the customary trikaalam and topped up with nice round of swaras. Nagai Sreeram and Tvm Balaji embellished the concert well.

Sangeetha Sivakumar presented a majestic pallavi in Bhairavi ragam in Tira Triputa talam 4 kalai, atheetha eduppu. The sahithyam of the pallavi was Daravidalithakuvalaya dala nila. This pallavi is personally one of my favourites as this has been rendered exquisitely by MSS in a few of her concerts. MMI also has sung this pallavi. She unfolded the ragas step by step revealing the majestic beauty of Bhairavi which lasted for about 20 minutes. The violin return by Dr. Hemalatha also was of high standard which lasted for 7 minutes. The neraval was very lovely and after the thrikalam in 4 kalai the pallavi was shifted to 2 kalai. After thrikalam in 2 kalai elaborate swaras were rendered with lovely combinations. After the thani, the pallavi was done in one kalai and pratilomam rendered. Swaras were rendered in 1 kalai and the pallavi was rendered again in 2 kalai and wound up in 4 kalai. It was a highly intelligent presentation of Sangeetha Sivakumar. Kalladaikurichi Sivakumar played his role commendably.

The third day commenced with a quiz on RTP. It proved to be delightful for the audience who could listen a host of pallavis. The anchor was Shri Bharat Sundar who played his role with consummate ease. There were four groups- two persons in each group. Shri JV and Smt Suguna Puushothaman were the judges. In the first round, each group presented a pallavi prepared by them with neraval, trikaalam, and a few round of swaras. In the second round, the anchor sang a pallavi and the groups have to repeat the pallavi in the correct talam and describe the features of the pallavi. In the third round, the anchor provided words of a pallavi and the talam. The groups have to render the pallavi including trikalam, neraval and swaras. The first prize was won by Ms. Subasree and Vatsala and the second prize by Ms. Subasree and Sruti Bhatt. Prizes were given by Shri JV.

The next concert was by Shri Vishnudev Namboothiri accompanied by Tvm Sampath on the violin and Palghat Harinarayanan on the Mridangam. Vishnu chose Saveri for detailed elaboration. Alapana was elaborate in three stages spanning about 20 minutes. He had a majestic saareeram and the alapana had the right amount of aggression and has the Semmangudi style - quite natural because presently he is under the guidance of Shri PSN Sir. His alapana in fast phrases contained some magical moments. The tanam to the accompaniment of the Mridangam and the Saveri ragam created an atmosphere of the Navarathri Mandapam.The pallavi was Bhavayami Raghuraamam Bhavya sugunaaraamam. The structure of the pallavi was quite challenging. It was in Adi talam 2 kalai, eduppu at samam. The poorvangam of the pallavi was set in Tisra nadai and utharangam in Chatusra nadai.
The neraval and trikaalam was rendered with precision in 2 kalais and decorated by elaborate swaras containing some intricate patterns. Ragamalika swarams in all the ragams in the song Bhavayami was rendered which was superior in aesthetics. After the thani, the pallavi was rendered in 1 kalai and the trikaalam and swara exercise repeated in 1 kalai. It was a wonderful show by the young vidwan. The violinist Tvm Sampath gave a very good support. His violin had good azhutham and melody in it. The mridangist played with good level of understanding.

The grand finale was by Abhishek Raghuram accompanied by Mysore Srikanth and Anantha R Krishnan. He chose raga Poorvikalyani for the pallavi - another raga seldom chosen in the pallavi segment. His music full of youthful exhuberance was in full form while delineating the raga and tanam. His foray into the hidden vistas of the ragam while singing ragam and tanam attracted bale and besh from the audience continuously. His hard core rasikas had thronged the hall to the full. The ragam and tanam alone took 1 hour and ten minutes. But the tanam contained lot of repetitions. The pallavi was in Misra chapu talam - Kaana kidaikkumo sabesan darisanam Kandaal kali teerume. This pallavi had been sung by MMI in ragam Kalyani. He did trikaalam and the long swara prastanam had many magical moments and the returns of Mysore Srikanth was aesthetically brilliant supported by Anantha rocking with rhythmic patterns adding pep to the entire concert.

We should thank the organisers for organising this Durbar. Music students could have taken full advantage of the programme. But the audience turnout was very thin on the first two days. Only on the final day, because of Abhishek Raghuram, there was a very good crowd.

mahavishnu
Posts: 3341
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 21:56

Re: PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

Post by mahavishnu »

CRama, thank you for your detailed and comprehensive review spanning three days of the festival.
The pallavi was in Misra chapu talam - Kaana kidaikkumo sabesan darisanam Kandaal kali teerume.
I believe the misrachapu version of this pallavi was conceived/composed by Sri Palghat Raghu avl. It is a brilliant pallavi!

rajeshnat
Posts: 10121
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04

Re: PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

Post by rajeshnat »

Crama
That was a great report covering every programme. Of particular interest to me is that very tricky raga malavi . Kudos for JV and Trichy pradeep to sing that as pallavi. Also I am not aware of the musician Palghat sreeram and is multi skills as an instrumentalist as well as vocalist.

CRama
Posts: 2939
Joined: 18 Nov 2009, 16:58

Re: PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

Post by CRama »

Rajesh, Palghat Sreeram as a carnatic musician is giving regular concerts in AIR Chennai. He has sung a few film songs also. One famous song is the title song in the film Padayappa- En peyar padayappa. He is adept in playing various instruments as well. He is a regular judge in the reality shows also. His wife is Mrs Baby Sreeram, a very talented singer and teacher. Baby Sreeram belongs to TVM.
Mahavishnu, You are right.Abhishek announced that the pallavi was coined by his grandfather Shri Palghat Raghu.

vidya raja
Posts: 136
Joined: 05 Feb 2010, 21:02

Re: PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

Post by vidya raja »

Thank you CRama for the detailed report. What an excellent programme it has been. Was the programme recorded ? Is there any way we can listen to the renderings? especially for those who are far away. Thank you.

mohan
Posts: 2808
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 16:52

Re: PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

Post by mohan »

Thanks CRama for the comprehensive report. I hope Carnatica makes video recordings available through the Pallavi Bank!

srikant1987
Posts: 2246
Joined: 10 Jun 2007, 12:23

Re: PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

Post by srikant1987 »

Thank you for this complete, coherent and crisp report on all the programmes of the series!

Thanks for the information on Palghat Sreeram (kudos to Carnatica for having invited him too). However, the song 'en pEru paDayappa' was sung by SPB: Palghat Sreeram has sung "veRRik koDi kaTTu" (vAzhkkaiyil Ayiram taDai kal appa) in the same film.

ganeshkant
Posts: 963
Joined: 05 Feb 2010, 11:59

Re: PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

Post by ganeshkant »

I attended the last day and enjoyed exchanging views with our CRama sitting together.
Carnatica's effort in conducting this year after year should be lauded.

I recently heard Palghat Sreeram's concert in AIR.The main was in rAgam 'BhujangiNi'.He experiments a lot.
His other film song that I remember is 'TinnavEli alvadA..Thiruchi malai kOttaDA' from the film 'sAmi'.A classically rich no.of course :lol: :lol:

CRama
Posts: 2939
Joined: 18 Nov 2009, 16:58

Re: PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

Post by CRama »

Just saw the ad in Kalaignar TV that BH Abdul hameed (of earlier Ceylon TV) will be chatting with Palghat Sreeram in the programme from 9 to 10 PM on Mon- Thu. Exactly which day it is coming it was not clear.

Sivaramakrishnan
Posts: 1582
Joined: 02 Jan 2010, 08:29

Re: PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

Post by Sivaramakrishnan »

That was a splendid review by CRama. Of immense benefit to 'temporarily outstation' rasikas like me!

Well, Sri J Venkataraman is also an authority on Thirupukazh and several years ago I listened to a programme wherein he described the Tala intricacies in it. I remember he mentioned many verses qualify for pallavi-s!
I wish the durbar has been videographed in full!

Thanks again CRama for your care to share!

ganeshkant
Posts: 963
Joined: 05 Feb 2010, 11:59

Re: PALLAVI DURBAR- 2012

Post by ganeshkant »

CRama wrote: The entire demonstration was highly intellectual exercise and provided wealth of knowledge for the students. But there were not many of them in the audience.
This really saddens me.I was told by CRama that the turn out was around (only) 50 in the first 2 days.Why the young and up coming students of music are not utilizing this rare opportunity ?
I can only quote this phrase of PaTTinathaar - 'kaDai virithEn koLvArillai'.

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