Ramakrishnan Murthy @ SRLKM, BGS 8 Feb 2013

[Rsachi]

Substituting for Nithyashree as reported by Sappri elsewhere, RKM had RKSK, Arun Prakash, Anirudh Atreya for company. His reputation is doing good, as the chairs were filled and the bajji caterers happy.
This was a concert that many like me will long remember for at least three extremely beautiful pieces:
1. Soundararajam - Brindavana Saranga - MD - IIRC I hadn't heard this song before. The way RKM sang it, it stands head and shoulders above its sibling 'Rangapura'. It was Dikshitar at his best, Brindavana Saranga at its best, Carnatic music at its moving best. Of course Arun Prakash's style is priceless in such pieces.
2. Mamava Meenakshi - what a superb Varali. The alapana, niraval, swaras - a master class from the youngster!
3. Chakkani Raja - Kharaharapriya. Really elaborate. SIMPLY THE BEST RENDITION I HAVE HEARD EVER.

It's uncanny how this 22/23 year-old has brought to the stage such seasoned musical acumen like someone trained by KVN for 15 years! He also has a disarming freshness and innocence about his demeanour. Of course he can be quite a handful for any violinist.

Other items- Kanada Varnam Ninne Kori, Tulasidala, TrilOkamAta-Paras.

After a longish tani post KHP, RKM felt he should sing an RTP. Purvi Kalyani, with Pancha Ghanaraga tanam, shortish mishra chapu pallavi, clever raga changes to Begada, Kapi and Behag. Somehow this item seemed unnecessary, and I said to someone he was singing for 'atma trupti'. The execution of RTP was not in the same class as those 3 gems.

Speech thereafter - I left. Someone told me later he sang 'neenyaako' in Kannada, a raga malika.

[badari]

With Tani starting at 8.10, i was of the impression that i would miss an opportunity for RTP. RKM did not disappoint . the slide back from the ragamalika to pUrvikalyani will be etched in mind for a long time to come...

Concert ended with a mangala kriti by badrAcala rAmdas at around 9.00 pm.

[Gadolinium]

Thanks for the wonderful review, Rsachi. Many of your points resonate with me. Ever since attending his academy concert, I have been digging up his concerts in sangeethapriya, youtube, etc. He has a very good repertoire, but feel he really excels in Dikshitar compositions (and makes it a point to sing a few of them in each concert). Being a Dikshitar-o-phile, I enjoy his indulgence and the use of his pliant voice.

Looking forward to his concerts in the Bay area, amongst other wonderful artistes. Seems like a good spring music season coming up.

[Rsachi]

Gadolinium, with encouragement from rasikas like you, I feel RKM will surely go from strength to strength.

[badari]

Gadolinium, with encouragement from rasikas like you, I feel RKM will surely go from strength to strength.

Sabha secretary warned his sponsors and other rasikas yesterday in the hall that they will find it difficult to get a seat for RKM concerts in 3 years from now. He also took pride that RKM got an elevation to main stream in their sabha in a year's time that none has achieved till now.

[Rsachi]

Yes, Badari, I heard him the first time last year at SRLKM
(http://www.rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic. ... 65#p223265)

[arasi]

Sachi,
You were there on the days I was not at the GS! Otherwise, we could have met. I might have been there to hear this good concert of Ramakrishnan Murthy, but I was listening to TNK at that time. They also honored him at the Indra Nagar Sabha with the Purandara award and as I had just heard three quarters of a concert of his in Chennai, I went there...and what super playing on his part!

[Rsachi]

Oh good! Are you attending the dances at ISS? I will be there.

[MaamiAtHeart]

Rsachi, Sounderarajam is my absolute fav now and it is the only song I end up listening to in my morning commute. I really want to go to nagapattinam now just to see the temple. The anupallavi's words especially are sooo beautiful

[Rsachi]

Oh really, then you should join a tour I am putting together to all these lovely places in Nov./Dec. I will send you some info separately!

[arasi]

Sachi,
I'm afraid not. A busy Sunday...a few hours in the afternoon is more like it.

[Rsachi]

12 Feb Surupa Sen & Bijoyini Satpathy
13 Feb Alarmel Valli

[rshankar]

12 Feb Surupa Sen & Bijoyini Satpathy
13 Feb Alarmel Valli

I am jealous - the oDissi dancers are absolutely stunning! And what can I say about Smt. Valli? - fluidity in the straight pandanallUr lines....

[arasi]

Sachi,
As far as I know, it's a nine to nine one day program today, an all day event with many artistes performing!

[Rsachi]

You're talking of southern corner of Blr. I am referring to the more urbane Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha.
Different cups of tea.
But tea nonetheless.
MLR conv hall has Nirupama Rajendra and GKNM