SUGUNA PURUSHOTHAMAN - SUGUNA VARADACHARY AT PALLAVI DARBA

[CRama]

Acc. Dr.Hemalatha-Violin
Arun Prakash-Mridangam
BS.Purushotham-Kanjira.

This combination of vidushis, though not heard very frequently, always give breathtaking concerts. One concert I heard in 2009 in KGS is still fresh in my mind. In this Pallavi Darbar also, they gave an astounding performance.

The duo started the concert with Ninnujoochi dhanyudaithi in Sourashtram. They took up Sama for a detailed exploration for the RTP. When they announced the name of the ragam, I thought why they have taken this small raga. It will finish within half an hour. They proved me wrong. I have never heard such an elaborate treatment of this ragam. Of course, their Guru Musiri is famous for singing this ragam. SP started the ragam and SV continued. The ragam was elaborately explored of its beauty from all angles and it took 15 minutes. Thanam was also shared by both. The pallavi was Madhavaa Kesavaa Yadavaa Radha Manohara Vedaadhaaraa Arul seyya iduve tharunam. The pallavi was set in Khanda jathi Ata thalam in Khanda nadai. IN all their concerts I am amazed by their skill in neraval like their Guru. Here also the neraval and kalpana swaras were elaborate and they showed the full potential of this raga. Each sangathi in neraval or swaram was pregnant with raga bhavam and there was no aggression in their singing which was most suitable for this ragam given the meditative mood it creates. The customary trikalam was done. The entire pallavi took a solid 1 hour.

Dr. Hemalatha provided good accompaniment for this tricky pallavi. Her neraval and swara returns were very good. Arun Prakash played with lot of enthu and he and BSP embellished the concert quite well. A concert to remember for a long time.

[rajeshnat]

I have heard a recording of musiri singing maravakeva o manasa krithi by musiri. Musiri neraval is quite unique. To sing just shyama as a single raga rtp for an hour is noteworthy.

[Nick H]

A great concert with so many favourites (everyone, in fact, even including the tambura artist!) on stage.

Arun Prakash told me that he composed the korvais on the spot. I thought it was Khanda Jati Mathya talam (I0I)? You are more likely to be right than me, though.

[CRama]

It was announced at Khanda jathi Ata thalam- Khanda nadai

[Nick H]

Thanks. The fact that I completely misunderstood the basic structure somehow didn't prevent me from enjoying the concert enormously :-\ :ymblushing:

I attended three sessions of the Pallavi Darba series. An offstage observation is that it was very well attended, and, particularly, the average audience age was refreshingly low. Contrary to popular opinion, perhaps an RTP in every program would help to bring youth back to carnatic concerts. It seems, from this event, that there are quite a few who do want heavy-weight music!

[ganeshkant]

sAmA has been taken up for main by Sanjay Subramanian in a couple of concerts I heard where he sang shAntamulEkA.sAmA can be sung elaborately IMHO.When Arabhi & Shudhda sAvEri can be taken up for main or for RTP,sAmA equally qualifies. A good selection by the duo and again I missed it.

Some day I would like to hear RTP in gowDa malhAr.Hope it happens. :-!

[mahavishnu]

Contrary to popular opinion, perhaps an RTP in every program would help to bring youth back to carnatic concerts. It seems, from this event, that there are quite a few who do want heavy-weight music!

Well said, Nick. Bringing more scholarly, uncompromisingly good music is the way to go. The objective is to attract people to the art form and not dilute the art form to attract people!