Abishek@SPSS, 26/Dec/2012

[sankark]

Akkarai Suba(bbu?)lakshmi - violin
Anantha R Krishnan - mridangam
? - ghatam

navaragamalikai varnam - kedaram, sbaranam etc - Adi - PSI
vidulaku mroggedA - mAyAmALavagowLai - Adi - T (ns@kamalA gowri)
nIvAda nEgAna - saranga - m cApu - T (s)
vinatA sutavAhana - jayantasEnA - Adi - T (RNS@madha bEdhamanE)
raghuvara nannu - pantuvaRALi - Adi - T (S@manasuna Tani)

I couldn't even sit thru the tani. At that point I was turned off due to excessive exuberant virtuosity. IMO, sowkyam left the journey half way thru kamalA gowri never to return.

Edited to correct mmg song

[mahesh_narayan]

Was it Vidulaku Mrokkeda?

[knrh05]

Yes.
Thani was followed by RTP in Purnashadjam kanda triputa talam, idu thano thillaistalam (Behag) and a thillana.

[rsrini080463]

Though there were variations in the acoustic sound levels etc., the concert was very energetic and excellent. Abhishek's quick flights from Poornasadjam to Khamas, Hindolam and Abheri were highly unimaginable and reflects his huge potentials - the performances of the accompaniments were equally good. Only thing was despite an additional mike (provided), Abhishek was going off the mike few times, where clarity had a dip. To add, Jayanthasena was very elaborate and masterly

[grsastrigal]

sorry for my ignorance, what is SPSS. Is it PS schoole, Mylapore ?

[rajeshnat]

sorry for my ignorance, what is SPSS. Is it PS schoole, Mylapore ?

sri parthasarathy swami sabha

[Rsachi]

Poorna Shadjam refresher:
Poorna Shadjam TVG MSG UKS TVV

SPSS : Sree Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha!?

I feel this calls for a new acronym:
ARITCPMI - Acronym Requires Immediate Translation Certainly, Pardon My Ignorance.

[mahavishnu]

ARI TC PMI - priceless. My mind immediately went to Ariyakkudi, T Chowdiah, Palghat Mani Iyer.

[arasi]

wAh rE wAh!
(on both the acronyms)

[Ramasubramanian M.K]

A Quiz for OLD Tamil Movie Buffs on abbreviation of a fictional artist in a Tamil Movie released in the late forties.


What does LCM stand for just as MSS ,DKP and MLV?
Hint: It was a Gemini movie!!

[gs]

Some good points there by OP. Few observations and thoughts on Abhishek as an artist.

From late 2007, I was chasing Abhishek everywhere along with a friend. We went to Nanganallur, Velacherry, Thambaram, Villivakkam (I think... on a rainy day) apart from regular places. The same team most of the time. We called it Triple 'A' concert. Abhishek-Akkarai-Ananth. Used to be a wholesome affair. He displayed lot of energy. His voice has timber and modulation. He used to be outstanding in aesthetics. (unfortunately 'used to be as on date. He will change for good, definitely). Energy, timber, modulation, aesthetics, imagination, knowledge of rhythm...he has everything. But...

We have happy memories about his music. He showed a 30 second outline of vasantha bhairavi and half way through he started Nee dhaya radha and it was scintillating. Gamanashramam and Charukesi RTPs (Both in two residence concerts in West Mambalam) were out of the world. As he gained prominence things started changing. Not all for good,unfortunately.

Along the line he reduced teaming up with Akkarai Subbulakshmi. Earlier, he gave lot of opportunity to her and that simply elevated the concert a couple of notches. I went for this concert since it was a Triple 'A' concert. Akkarai was not given as much chance in this concert. This does not mean she was not given normal chance. Far from it. It was very unlike Abhishek we learned to like. Thats all. Hope he gets back to his old ways.

Along the way, we started drifting. We did not like his Hindustani-ising Carnatic Music. I am not a purist. But we felt, singing say, kannada gowla with overt Hindustani tinge did not auger well with our musical needs. Some months back we decided to avoid his concerts, just like we have been avoiding TMK's. Not their loss, definitely. Not our loss either, or so we thought.

On the Sunday he had his Venus colony concert, I met my friend in front of Narada Gana Sabha. We did not get the ticket - Ranjani Gayathri or Sanjay, I don't remember. I suggested to my friend that we go to Venus Colony to attend Abhishek's concert. He was reluctant. Eventually, we went. That keeravani became a game changer. We then went to MFAC and then to this concert.

One thing about 2007-10 Abhishek was he did not develop his own style. He reminded us of BMK, LGJ, TNS, Somu... in patches and in the same concert. In retrospect, we believe, his tryst with Hindustani was his search for a unique style, perhaps influenced by his jugalbandhis with Jaitheerth Mevundi. Perhaps, his overt exuberance and high energy delivery as indicated by the OP is his continued search for an Abhishek Stamp. If I am right, I hope he grows out of it. Sooner the better.

That said, he is a phenomenon. He breaths fresh air into CM. I see changes happening for good. Many seem to be trying longer duration alapanas and hither to unheard of sancharas. Recently Bombay Jayashree's karaharpriya in MFAC contained many such phrases. Singers are resorting to longer duration concerts when time is not a constraint.

Many are against these new prayogas. I beg to differ from them. That is what 'rakthi' is all about, isn't it? Polished over time and transferred to the next generation? But for 'rakthi' SSP would be the only way. It is not so today. Music as we know would change. Not all these experiments would stick. Only time will decide what would stick and wouldn't. We need to give time,time.

He is the next best thing to have happened to Carnatic Music after TNS burst into the scene, just around the time I started listening to music. He carries a huge responsibility in his young shoulders. Good luck to him and CM.

[thathwamasi]

@Ramasubramaniam M.K.

You got me scratching my head sir. Is it the heroine's name from Miss Malini?

Regards
T

[mahesh3]

The time will come when one and more (but definitely not the close-minded) can comprehend the musical journey of Abhishek - and his reasons for different things. My own observation is that it is futile to assume anything by attending tiny bits of a concert here and there, and reach erroneous conclusions on what, how and why Abhishek Raghuram's musical journey is evolving the way it is. Just appreciate and enjoy the journey if your musical intellect and soul allows it - 2007 thru 2012 - we now have 5 years of data - and it is obvious to me that we are watching only the first stage of this millenium's greatest musical story unfold profoundly in our own time - yes he is young, yes he is an exuberant virtuouso, yes, he is not reciting your thyagarajar songs the way u want them to. Hint Hint - don't worry, forget your musical dogmas for duration of his concert and don't fret - relax and enjoy - for the brain comprehends the most when it is in that state. Abhishek Raghuram knows his music - and wants you to join his journey.

[varsha]

beautifully said , mahesh.
As Oscar Wilde said ..

“A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.”

[varsha]

Along the way, we started drifting.

You probably mean drifting apart . Which could mean one of you were static ..And it is clear to us now.

perhaps influenced by his jugalbandhis with Jaitheerth Mevundi.

which started only in 2012 !!! - btw it remains an act of unmatched beauty

He reminded us of BMK, LGJ, TNS, Somu... in patches and in the same concert. In retrospect, we believe, his tryst with Hindustani was his search for a unique style,..........

Well that is what exactly HM does to any artist.But no so pointless , as you suggest.
http://www.mediafire.com/?yc8j8eu4n1xjw8h

[Rsachi]

Varsha-ji,
I describe AR as
Raw.Creative.Energy.

Like a filigreed Stonehenge!?

[mahavishnu]

I think Abhishek is the bee's knees (and that is no secret).
I agree with Varsha's take on this. I don't quite know what a filigreed stonehenge, or I would agree with that too

[Ramasubramanian M.K]

Dear Thathwamasi: You are partially correct-"close-but-no-cigar"!!! Name the acronym and the expansion of the same!!!
This has as much relevance to the topic on hand i.e.Abhishek's concert as 'the price of tea in China".
My apologies.

[Rsachi]

What is Filigreed Stonehenge?


Run the magnifier around to enjoy the intricate work all over this mammoth edifice built in 2200 BC as a tribute to raw.creative.energy.

[grsastrigal]

As referred by Unnikrishnan (Yesterday Margazhi utsavam), - AR is for CM as virat kohli is for cricket.

Listen to this marvellous Shankarabharanam (RTP) by AR in MFAC this Dec. Only part is uploaded, also bonus of Mysore Srik violin. One place, he misses the flow. Pauses for a nano-second and see how he takes off like a Boeing !!!

I felt sometimes that he misses sruti, while touching high octaves. Offlate, I changed it. He is a perfect golden gift in a gold platter for CM..

**** ( link edited out - mods )

[Rsachi]

Sir, with utmost respect,
Indian cricket is down in the dumps. Whereas Carnatic music is flourishing with many DEPENDABLE stars.
Abhishek Raghuram is far better trained, equipped and committed than Virat Kohli.

And he doesn't need to model for whitening cream

Of course, I understand Unnikrishnan's comparison here.
Unnikrishnan himself is like a RH off-spinner who could spin the ball (Like Swann and unlike our current millionaires!)

[devan]

there was hirwani the leg spinner who created history.but where is he now.there was one l.sivaramakrishnan again a leg spinner.who was gloated as the greatest spiner of all time when he was only seventeen.where is he now.do not prejudge.let the time tell.in cm there was shankaran namboodhari .he cant even sing with sruthi.now.the so called purists who crticise whenever something different done by somebody do not open their mouth when this little god mixes hindustani with cm evener freely even in ragas like karakarapriya. when he sings todi for 45 minutes it was only shanmugapriya,sindubhairavi,and subapanthuvarali.probably the pundits do not hear all these notes.do not spoil the singer by giving the title musician of the century.still there are 87 years more.

[Rsachi]

Devan,
I have already commented in this forum long before about where AR can do better.
I can also list a dozen things Virat Kohli can do better, of course!
But I would also be equally jaundiced if i did not see AR's genius, despite all its quirks.
I see your point very much...do not spoil a good works in progress by awarding it a Deming prize.

[harimau]

Review by Harikesanallur Venkataraman in Dina Thanthi, Dec 30, 2012, Page 36.

http://www.dinathanthiepaper.in/firstpage.aspx#

This takes you to today's newspaper only. On the top bar, change the date and page number and you get the review.

Clicking on the review will enlarge it.

Soory, it is in Tamil only. Hopefully some kind soul can translate it for the benefir of non-Tamilians/Tamilians who grew up in Bombay/ Calcutta/New Delhi/USA/Australia/etc.

[Rsachi]

Harimau,
Please translate for me. Not knowing to read Tamil is a birth defect in my case.
You won't believe it, I was JUST now thinking how a crouching tiger and hidden dragon -both are a bit quiet, and that is not good news!
Sachi R
PS: I want to learn Tamil online. Please recommend sources!

[sankark]

Rough quick translation..

No one can match Kunnakkudy Vaidyanathan's violin playing speed, neither can anyone match Rajesh Vaidya in veenai. So is Abishek Raghuram, no one can match his speed. He is a force in the music world (payal all puyal will be lost in translation ) There is no sangathi that this youth's voice can't produce. What MDR was for chowka kalam, Abishek is for durita kalam (exact opposite).

In the SPSS concert of his, from start to end it was "speedmayam". He shows an inclination to achieve and surpass what others have accomplished. But doesn't seem to know the how of it. If there had been a traffic cop for music, he would have been booked for overspeed.

Quite a few examples on people/beings who are the fastest in respective fields (usain bolt, cheetah, etc.). In this list, Abishek Raghuram will be the person for Carnatic Music field. For what he sang in SPSS, we can award him the title "speedEswaran". But what we want is not vEgam (speed), rAgam.

The term carnatic music refers to such music that lasts/lingers in one's ear(?)/mind. There is not relation between karnataka sangeetham and the state of Karnataka (in my patti's term - no snana prapti). The term derives from karNa and atathi - respectively ear and repetitive. That music which lingers in mind long after the concert is over, that is what we call carnatic music. Music can be categorized into four categories - that which engages/please brain, that which pleases ear, that which pleases mind and that which touches the soul.

[sankark]

translation continued..

AR's music falls under the first category - that which engages/pleases brain. His sangathi's astonishes one. No one else can sing brilliantly. But doesn't touch your mind/heart. After the concert, no sangathi/nothing seems to have burnt itself into one's mind. Even though he exhibits his fantastic voice, his music failed to touch my heart.

It is my wish that he would be thought of as GNB of yesteryears, TNS of today. No one else can match his creative/imaginative capacity. But if he continues in the same vein (as in SPSS), he wouldn't find the place after GNB and TNS. One may question whether it is correct to compare this youth with such giants as GNB and TNS. He definitely has the potential to grow to such stature. Let him exhibit his voice's potential in alapanai, song and swara prastharam. At the same time, songs shouldn't be mutilated - the bhavam should also shine through. Shouldn't mutilate lyrical beauty simply because the voice is pliant and does as one commands. Don't make mince meat of gamakams and karvais to showcase his briga voice. He should understand where to showcase appropriate brigas and just the right size.

The future of music is in the hands of such few youngsters. Of the current lot, no one is equivalent to AR. This I agree to wholeheartedly. He would be the numero uno in Carnatic Music - if he wishes so. But he should understand that vEgam is not the same as vivEgam. The songs of giants lose their sheen/bhavam when this speedEswaran makes mince meat of them at the speed he sings them. He might get angry with me for this harsh criticism of mine. But there will come a time when AR understands what I have stated today is the truth. Musical maturity is the victim due to his excessive enthusiasm.

comparison to GNB/TNS and their music in relation to AR

My intention is not to hurt AR. Rather to make his music mature. Were he to start to sing with bhavam, this knowledgable youngster with a fantastic voice will be the numero uno of CM. Have sounded the wake-up call. Will the hurricane become a balmy breeze?

[Rsachi]

Thanks Sankark.
I have specific recordings of AR where he has befriended melody by taming the speed-horse he normally rides.

[CommonMan]

He might get angry with me for this harsh criticism of mine. But there will come a time when AR understands what I have stated today is the truth

There are a few rasikas who might get even more offended than he might possibly be...As you rightly pointed out bhavam should shine through in a concert....now that he has established what super-human things he can do with his voice, its time to shift the focus on the sowkhyam and the bhavam aspects..and there is no doubt that it wouldn't take time for him to make the transition for his gnanam and practice! The good thing is that he has a good lot of fan-following and he can definitely afford to experiment (without worrying much about loosing out "his crowd") and showcase other aspects of his prowess too!!!!!

[varsha]

He might get angry with me for this harsh criticism of mine. But there will come a time when AR understands what I have stated today is the truth.

We listeners take ourselves very seriously , don't we ?

[vasanthakokilam]

Varsha, I agree with you that the reviewer for Dina Thanthi(Harikesanallur Venkataraman), though probably very well intentioned, is going way beyond just reviewing. Rather than a review, it reads like an Op-Ed. These are all attempts, in vain if I may, to shape an artist like AR into a template that is in their own mind. It looks like AR is mature enough and immensely talented enough to chart his own path and leave it to the rasikas to decide to follow him or not. Even those who do not like his approach to CM should be able to consider the possibility that his path can indeed become an established path ( bANi ) in the years to come that can live side by side with existing paths. That would indeed be a great boon to CM. In addition, it will allow for further branches from this path to cut across these existing paths which can only strengthen the entire genre. ( now I am taking my own opinions on this too seriously )

[sureshvv]

Nice imagery vk.. pass me whatever it is you are imbibing

[mahavishnu]

VK, I'm with you. So whatever kool-aid this is we are apparently imbibing, let it bring peace and joy to us all! Suresh, I think you will like this too
Happy New year folks!