Prithi Narasimhan's(Dis.Shri.K.N.Shashikiran) Maiden Concert

[fellowrasika]

Vocal: Smt. Prithi Narasimhan
Violin: Shri. VVS Murari
Mridangam: Shri. Trivandrum Balaji

I had the great fortune to attend Smt. Prithi Narasimhan’s maiden concert in Dallas Tx last week on September 7th 2013 in the Plano Courtyard Theater. I have known Prithi since the last 4 years. A software engineer by profession and a mother of a six year old, it was amazing to see her deliver a high quality performance with ease and effortlessness. Hats off to her guru Shri. K.N. Shashikiran (Carnatica Brothers) for shaping her into a fine canratic vocalist in just a span of 2 years. I have personally been amazed at her passion and commitment to learning, despite her busy schedule and her hardwork and commitment was evident in her performance.

Song list:

1) Gambira Nattai Varnam, Adi Talam, Composed by Dr. Balamurali Krishna
2) Ramabakthi Samrajya, Sudha Bangala, Adi, Composed by Saint Thyagaraja.
3) Sadhananda Thandavam, Bahudari, Adi, Composed by Achuthadasar
4) Aananda Natam Aaduvar Thillai, Poorvi Kalyani, Roopakam, composed by Neelakanta Shivan
5) Hari Narayana, Kedharam, Adi, Composed by Sri Purandaradasa
6) Pakkala Nilabadi, Karaharapriya, Misra Chapu, Composed by Saint Thyagaraja
7) Nee daya rada, Vasantha Bhairavi, Roopakam, Composed by Saint Thyagaraja
8) Kaapaali, Mohanam, Adi, Composed by Papanasam Shivan
9) Samagana Priye, Anandha Bhairavi, Adi, Composed by Periyasami Thooran.
10) Narayanathe Namo Namo, Behaag, Adi, Composed by Sri Annamacharya
11) Hamsanadam Thillana, Misrachapu, compsed by Chitravina N. Ravikiran
12) Shiva Panchaakshara Mangalam

Prithi began the concert with a varnam in Gambira Nattai (with a short raga alapana) and rendered it in a fast pace. Ramabakthi saamraajyam was an apt second choice and the song was rendered swiftly with lot of bhaava and melody. Sadhananda thandavam in Bahudari followed next. The neraval rounds were excellent and the kalpana swarams were very well rendered.

Ananda natam aaduvar in poorvi kalyani was good too, as one of the speakers highlighted in their speech. The raga alapana and the swarams were interesting. She sang swarams in slow and fast tempos. There were 3 sets of swarams for each round, one ending with Ananda, the second set ending with Natam Aaduvaar and the third set ending in Thillai. This was very interesting and the korvai was wonderful. Prithi has a very good voice and her full range was brought out in this song.

Harinarayana was a swift one followed by Pakkala Nilabadi. The Karaharapriya alapana was well received and the neravals and swarams were good. This was one of the highlights of the concert. Needayarada was rendered in fast pace and her voice was flexible and sweet bringing out all the gamakams effortlessly.

She then followed on to render Kaapali in mohanam and this was the main piece of the concert. This song was filled with bhaava and melody and the swarams and koraapu were rendered excellently. This song was well received too. Narayanathe namo namo in Behag was impressive and soulful. The tillana in Hamsanadham was uplifting and the mangalam, which I heard for the first time, was very good.

She was accompanied on the Violin by Shri. VVS Murari and Trivandrum Balaji on the mridangam. Both the artists supported the vocalist very well. Shri. Murari’s Mohanam and karaharapriya was excellent and his alapana and neraval swarams were very good. Shri. Balaji’s was at his best on the mridangam and his tani in the Kapali song was very good.

Like Shri VVS Murari and Shri Balaji mentioned during the falicitation, it did not appear like an arangetram, but rather like a concert by someone who has previous experience singing with accompaniments. There was not a bit of nervousness on stage and it was mentioned that she had only a 2 hour rehersal, that too covering only the main songs. She delivered the concert with utter confidence and ease. The kalpana swaram phrases were utterly professional and instantaneous.

Overall the concert was very satisfying, soulful and I wish her all the best in her endeavours.

[rajeshnat]

Nice to hear a software professional also being a mother of 6 year old kid - giving a performance. Best wishes to Prithi , clippings or may be one full number would make all of us appreciate more.

[fellowrasika]

I will post some clippings soon we get the copies of the recordings.