Suryaprakash @ Kalpathy 11th Nov 2012 Eventful Concert

[sraja]

R. Suryaparakash Vocal
Prof R, Swaminthan Violin
Well Known Artist Mridangam
Well Known Artist Ganjira

Tatvamariatarama Rithigowlai Adi P Sivan S
Visalakshi Vishveshi Pantuvarali MisraChapu M Dikshitar R, N, S,
Paramatmudu Vagadeeshwari Adi Thyagaraja
Sevikavendum Ayya Andolika Roopkam Muthu Thandavar S
Enthukku Peddala Shankarabharanam Adi Thyagaraja R N S T
Missed the next (see notes below)
Kandan Karaunai Bhimplas Adi Guhan
Kaana Vendaamo Sri Ranjani Roopakam P Sivan
Mangalam Thyagaraja
Vaazhiya Senthamizh

I reached a bit late as Suryaprakash was finishing Tatvamariya Tarama. He then took up Pantuvarali and as expected sang Vislakshim. (Kalpathy is known as Kaashi Paadi Kalpathy) and hence this was an appropriate song. The neraval and swarms were sprightly. Paramatmudu was sedate . Sevikavendum was sprightly and the swarams in particular were very very catchy and exciting. A very elaborate Shankarabharanam marked by some very good phrases was followed by Enthukupeddala. The neraval at Veda Sastra and the swarams therafter kept the audience deeply engrossed . It was about 9. 20pm when this got over and thani was given. The mridangam artist looked at the mikeman asked him to increase the volume and then began to BEAT the mridangam. It had thunder lightning speed dazzle and everything except one thing--MELODY AND SUNAADAM!! It was Thyagaraja day at the festival yesterday and the spirit of bard who composed Sogasoga Mridanga Talamu must have been crying in agony. The ganjira artist, one who normally plays beautifully was egged on by the mridangam player to produce NOISE and he had no choice but to oblige. At this stage fearing for my ears that I may be struck by deafness I decided to go and get my car which was parked about a Km away. In my over 50 years of concert hearing, this was the noisiest thani I have ever heard. By the time I got the car and came back to the venue Suryaprakash was finishing Kandan karunai. He then sang Kaana Vendaamo and finished. I gathered from listeners who had bravely stayed on during the thani that Suryaprakash sang a short pallavi possibly in Revathi.
The violionist was good in parts. In the same series we had KV Prasad for Neyveli Santhanagaopalan and B Ganapathyraman for Ranjani Hebbar--both played so beautifully. Today is Patri Satishkumar for Kanyakumari Embar Kannan duet. Am sure it will be a treat.

It was a very good concert unfortunately marred by this brief interlude of deafening noise. I hope to attend a Suryaprakash concert with better accompaniment in the not too distant future.

[rajeshnat]

sraja
With the bang bang tani , u missed the revati pallavi. ParamAtmudu in vagadeeshwari is quite rare for this musician, Flute Mali is known for that raga and krithi. Curious about kalpathi festival, will the crowd be 50 to 100 there.

[sraja]

At its peak the crowd will be around 500

[sureshvv]

Mrudangam banging has become the fashion of the day and the loud crescendo finishes draws thundering applause from the audience. Nowadays I am more than happy if the accompaniment volume is somewhat in proportion not to drown out the singing/playing or when the accompanist in collusion with the upa pakka vadhyam does not take over the proceedings.