Sugandham - A thematic concert @ Hamsadwani

[HR]

Sunday - 7th April - Hamsadhwani - Indranagar, Adyar
Smt. Lakshmi Rangarajan and Savitha Narasimhan - Vocal
Dr. R. Hemalatha - Violin
Sri. J. Vaidyanathan - Mridangam
Anirudh Athreya - Kanjira

The concert was based on the theme - Sugandham . After singing a verse from Soundaryalahari in Raaga Gowlai , the vocalists introduced the theme taken up for elaboration - about how Fragrance and the Olfactory involvement is a very inherent part of the divine / religious experience in the Sanctum Sanctorum ; how so many composers have sung the praise of the Lord by associating and bringing in flowers and fragrance in their compositions. The song list for the evening comprised songs which cover this aspect. (Given below is a partial songlist . If someone can complete the songlist , that will be good)

• A verse from Adi Sankara's Soundaryalahari - in Raga Gowlai
  Sri Matrubhutam - Kannada – Misra Chapu - Muttuswamy Dikshitar - S
  Tulasi – Mayamalavagowlai – Rupakam – Thyagaraja – R , N, S
  Keerthana in Mukhari – (by Swati Tirunal ??) - S
  ChetaSri Balakrishna – Dvijavanthi – Adi – Dikshitar - S
  Raga Alapana in Ritigowlai , ------
  -----
  -----

- Sri Matrubhutam's Charanam has the words - "suvAsita nava javanti pushpa - vikAsa priya hRdayaM sadayaM" -- meaning the Lord who is fond of fragrant javanti flowers. The pallavi of the song also has the line "sugandhi kuntaLAmbA samEtam" - which describes the Lord as being in the company of Godess Kuntalamba - the one who has naturally fragrant hair ("sugandhi kuntala"). Kalpana Swarams were sung in the Madyama Kala Sahitya of the Charanam .

- Elaborate Raga Alapana of Mayamalavagowlai by Ms. Savitha Narasimhan . Niraval and Swarams in the Charanam line “SarasIruha punnAga” where Thyagaraja says – “I shall garland Him with fragrant flowers like the lotus, punnaga, campaka, jasmine, and lily”

- Swarams in the Dvijavanthi kriti were sung in the Charanam Line – “Navathulasi Vanamaalam ….”. Meaning - "He is adorned with garlands ("vana-maalam") of tender ("nava") tulasi ("thulasi") and other flowers". The Charanam line preceding this line in the song - "Athasee Suma Bhaasakam ... " also has a meaning which fits in this theme - "From HIS form emanates the fragrance of Tulasi (athaseesuma) and other flowers."

Most part of the concert had Smt. Lakshmi Rangarajan and Ms. Savitha Narasimhan alternate and sing - one starting with the Pallavi, and the other singer continuing with the Anupallavi. The Madhyama Kaala Sahitya was sung together by both vocalists , followed by Niraval / Swarams by both vocalists. The violin returns by Dr. Hemalatha as well as the percussion by both Sri. J.Vaidyanathan and Anirudh Athreya enhanced the concert. A different experience to listen to two vocalists bring together a theme - focussing on specific aspects of compositions - enabling a better understanding of the meaning of compositions.

[rajeshnat]

Keerthana in Mukhari – (by Swati Tirunal ??) - S

HR
May be that was bhavathi viswAsO, tx for your review.

[balakk]

The remaining were:
- Brindavana Nilaye
- Parimala Ranganatham Bhajeham
- Thani
- A Viruttham followed by Lalitha Lavanga
- Karpooram Narumo
- Slokam by Kalidasa

The Mukhari krithi was Pahi Sada Padmanabha. The artists seem to have put in good effort in selecting songs, and neravalizing at the right places as HR mentions The Hamir Kalyani piece was the main, and what a song! It was rendered beautifully. There seems to be 2 versions of this song - what was rendered is here : http://sahityam.net/wiki/Parimala_Ranganatham-2.

Here's the hindu review:
http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday ... 605892.ece

[tanapp]

Lalitha Lavanga - Sri Jayadeva's Ashtapadi, was tuned by SN. Just learned it from her. It has the following ragas - she chose them mostly for a Hindustani-ish feel..

1. Vasanta
2. Brindavani
3. Madhuvanti
4. Valachi and
5. Behag

The Sanskrit words describing the vast meadows, gardens and environs around Brindavan with Yamuna meandering in and through the "vipinas" of Brindavana in Spring time is amazing..and what lilting tunes for every verse. It was an absolute delight to learn this Ashtapadi.

[Rsachi]

Tanapp,
There's an unwritten rule around here. When you praise a thing so much, you whet our appetite and we want to 'listen' to it!
Do kindly record your Astapadi on SoundCloud or whatever and share.
Thanks

[CRama]

HR balakk and tanapp. Thanks for the review. Looks like a wonderful concert. Appropriate songs chosen for the theme. Reminds me of the mIkeless concerts held last year with similar themes.

[tanapp]

Hello Rsachi,

I could..but I don't know if I will be able to do justice. I will try and let you know when I do it.

Thanks.

[Rsachi]

Thanks! You're a good sport.

[tanapp]

These are the verses. The highlighted ones are the ones tuned in the raga:

Vasanta

lalitalavaMga lataaparisheelana komala malaya sameere
madhukara nikara karambita kokila koojita kuMjakuTeere ||

Brindavani

viharati haririha sarasavasante
nrutyati yuvatijanena samaM sakhi virahijanasya durante ||

Madhuvanti

unmada madana manoratha pathikavadhoojana janita vilaape
alikulasaMkula kusuma samooha niraakula bakula kalaape ||

mrugamada saurabha rabhasa vashaMvada navadala maala tamaale
yuvajana hrudaya vidaaraNa manasija nakharuchi kiMshuka jaale ||

madana maheepati kanaka daMDaruchi keshara kusuma vikaase
milita shileemukha paaTali paTala kruta smaratooNa vilaase ||

vigalita lajjita jagat avalokana tarooNa karooNa kruta haase
virahi nikruntana kuntamukha aakruti ketaki dMturita aashe ||

Valachi/Kalavati

maadhavikaa parimala lalite navamaalati jaati sugaMdhau
munimanasaamapi mohanakaariNi taruNaakaaraNabaMdhau ||

Behag

sphuradatimukta lataa parirambhaNa mukulita pulakita choote
vruMdaavana vipine parisara parigata yamunaa jala poote ||

shreejayadevabhaNitamidamudayatu haricharaNasmrutisaaram
sarasavasaMta samayavanavarNam anugata madana vikaaram ||

[tanapp]

Rsachi,

here is my crude presentation. Please bear with the quality of the recording as well as singing.

https://soundcloud.com/ad-shanks/lalita ... narasimhan

Thanks.

[maduraimini]

Tanapp,

Your song was very good. The ragas are melodious. Thanks for sharing with us.

[jodha]

Tannp,

Ur singing , I think is quite palatable.SN has tuned the lyrics giving more importance to the feeling than showing her talent in forming phrases out of these raagams that has really preserved the beauty of Jayadeva's poetry.All the best to you.

[Rsachi]

Tanapp,
Your rendition Is the first thing I am hearing after getting my ACT Broadband and Sony USB data able fixed after a few days of breakdown!!!

Your singing is rich and vibrant. You have a fine male voice. Your inspiration should be the all-time great Raghunath Panigrahi. Here is his rendition: http://gaana.com/share/tlalitaI63777

His way of singing, and Sanjukta dancing to it with Kelucharan on the mridang and bol, was absolutely unforgettable when I heard them for the first time in 1973/4 at MFAS.

My best wishes for your journey in music!

Sachi R

Please convey my thanks and congrats to your talented teacher for her tuning and teaching the song.

[tanapp]

Hello maduraimini, jodha and Rsachi,

thanks so much for your kind words. I will let Savita know about this.

Thanks.

[tanapp]

Thanks Rsachi for posting the link to Raghunath Panigrahi's rendition of the Ashtapadi in his soothing and pliable voice. Almost the entire Odissi dance style is based upon Ashtapadis. Quite something.