Dear rasikas,
The modest, first-floor, long hall in Ramana Maharishi school campus was overflowing today with rasikas eager to hear Abhishek. Accompanied by Mysore Srikanth, Jayachandra Rao, Guru Prasanna and Arun Kumar(morsing), he sang for 150 minutes in a concert dedicated to Saint Thyagaraja, in his usual power-packed style. Most, like me, were blown away again by virtuosity unleashed.
Song List:
1. Ganasudhaarasapaana Niratam - Nata - BMK's tribute song to Thyagaraja. Rest all T's compositions as could be expected.
2. Ela Ni Daya - Athana
3. Balamu Kulamu - Saveri
4. Guruleka -Gauri Manohari
5. Sujana Jeevana - Khamaj
6. Banturiti - Hamsanadam
7. Challare - Ahiri
8. Swara Raga Sudha - Shanakarabharanam
9. Pavamana - Saurashtram
There would be some in the audience who missed soukhyam, vishranti, and a more traditional approach to ragas. But I am a die-hard AR fan already and here are MY comments:
Abhishek was brilliant in Gauri Manohari alapana. He sang a chaste Shankarabharana raga. His take-off in almost every song was brilliant, often starting in Anupallavi. He sang a very innovative swara prasthara beginning with 'ga ma pa ma ga' in S'bharanam. Srikanth did not lack in vigorous responses, despite AR's Indy-style burning rubber swara spins.
Abhishek gave three tanis by turn - Guru Prasanna in 4, Jayachandra Rao in 5, Arun Kumar in 6. He wanted each to showcase his mohra and muktaya. They all rose to the occasion, and it was a laya-studded concert with three crisp tanis in three talas! Jayachandra Rao was brilliant throughout in accompaniment and anticipation.
When so much talent, energy and improvisation is on offer from AR, I go with the flow, and not nitpick about occasional slips in sruti or the missing soukhyam.
Sachi R
