Sri.TVS's Brilliant Concert at Odakkathur Mutt

[kssr]

Sri.TVSankaranarayanan- Mys Nagaraj- Patri Satish- Giridhar Udupa. 7th March 2013- Odakkathur Mutt, Bangalore.

Simply Brilliant. Any number of superlative adjectives would not suffice.

1. Starting with Mohanam tamil virutham with Ganesh stuthi -Gajaanaa maam paalaya- (90% he starts with Nattai or Hamsadhwani), beautiful swarams.

2. Maamava sadaa janani- kaanada- myriad variations of janani- lovely swaram- new style.

3. Muruga muruga - saaveri

4. Bahudhari- superb alapanai - Saddananda thaaandavam seyyuum- then 1st neraval at Muktharum, Siddharum, Munivargalum followed by swaram.

5. Kaala kaalan - Athana- Announced as by Periyasamy thooran

6. Elaborate Hamsanaadam alapanai- Bantureethi. deeply emotional neraval (2nd) at Rama Naama mane and swaram- a masterpiece

7. Main- Bhairavi-Tanayuni brovu -he however started at Inakulothama. Relatively brief neraval (3rd) and elaborate swaram.

8. Thani- Highly spirited curly long haired duo. Repeated applause.

9. Virutham- Paal ninainthoottum thaayinum (popular)- in Kedaragowla - TVS said Lord Siva liked this ragam (being a sivarathri concert)

10. Eppavaruvaaro- Jonpuri (able vocal support by the tambura artist Sripaada rao )

11. Long viruttham KaNNaa- kaar muhil vaNNa - I had to leave as it was already 9.40 PM and I know the very long train of Naamaas.

This is one of the all time great concerts I have heard. I have heard his Bhairavi a couple of times earlier. Everytime it strikes me that there is something very different and special in the way he presents it. His Bhairavi is the best I have heard among all artists. I just asked a "specialist" about it and the opinion was that he stays a moment longer in the Husseini usages, which is anyhow a sub-set ragam of bhairavi and hence technically perfect but brings in the special beauty to the presentation. Only experts can say if it is so. But I can say it was most enjoyable.

The selection of songs, the way ragams, sangathis, neraval and swaram (yes, even swaram) are presented , all indicate a new dimension of Sri.TVS's genius, completely rejuvenated, different and much more enjoyable. Our respect for him and his music definitely get multiplied. We pray for his continued service to this great musical tradition.

Mysore Nagaraj- what a great artist he is- perfect match, equally talented and thoroughly enjoying the brilliant musical atmosphere. Patri followed the artist with care and went on his loud spree only when warranted. Udupa, our boy, (!) was all cheerfulness and there was great display of talent in a difficult instrument, esp amidst great stalwarts.

Lovely programme. Would like to thank Ramakrishna Bhajana sabha for the event.

[squims]

Simply Brilliant. Any number of superlative adjectives would not suffice.

I second that. What a concert! Every moment was sheer brilliance. Loved it.
I thought the raaga selections were excellent. Perfectly balanced.
Personally, my favourite was the Bahudari aalaapanai. I love the raagam and it is very seldom heard, that too with such elaborate treatment. Great stuff.

10. Eppavaruvaaro- Jonpuri (able vocal support by the tambura artist Sripaada rao )

I was wondering if I was the only one who noticed it.

[Rsachi]

Thank you folks, your enthusiastic narrative mitigates my loss in a small way.
Yes, TVS is in a class by himself. It shows even in the way Nagaraj, Patri and Uda have risen to the occasion.
Hope Sripada Rao got a little extra consideration yday than usual.

[kapali]

Will any recording of this memorable concert become available ?

[cacm]

I was happy to hear the encomiums about the Bhairavi rendering as his GURU MMI made it a UNIQUE presentation whenever he rendered it. Actually most performers make Bhairavi sound a little sad but MMI was the one in my lifetime who showed the happier side of Bhairavi. VKV

[sridhar]

I thought Huseni was the happier side of Bhairavi

[Rsachi]

Very perceptive observations on Bhairavi - thanks VKV and others!

What DID make me sad when I went to TMK's concert today was:
The mutt had its usual stragglers and wanderers in the audience, extremely poor quality LOUD speaker in the LCD screen area, floodlighting to blind those seated outside watching the LCD screen, strong chlorine smell (someone said it was to hide some stench) and TEMPT knitwear (=underwear) advertising on the stage.

TMK was trying hard to invoke some aesthetics, opening with a loong Mayamalavagoula Tulasamma (85 minutes including tani) and later an unusual MD version of Anandabhairavi.

But I felt too sad to stay on and left.