Saketharaman @ Mudhra on 13-Dec

[Rajagopalan_V]

S Saketharaman - Vocal
HN Baskar - Violin
VV Ramanamoorthy - Mrudangam
Dr. S. Karthick - Ghatam

One of the best concerts I had been to in the recent times – with each of them coming together nicely and playing their part to perfection.

Breezy ‘Merusamaana’ in Mayamalavagowlai with brisk neraval and swarams.

‘Sasivadana’ in Chandrajyoti and listener’s choice ‘Rakshamaam Charanaagatham’ in Gambhira Nattai (in deference to the wish of a rasika). Sang very well. Still reverberating in my ears!

Robust Khambhoji alapana prompting one to prognosticate the Semmangudi masterpiece “O Ranga Sayee”. Or, could it be “Raasa Vilaasa”? Guess this guess-game must be one of the pleasures of attending live concerts.

“Maa Jaanaki”, the Madurai Mani Iyer special it was actually! The ‘lilting effect’ of MMI intact, he sung this composition beautifully. The team enjoying themselves in the neraval and swara segment. A good tani ensued.

“ThaayE Tripurasundari” on Thiruvanmiyur deity by Periyasami Tooran next. “tiruvAnmiyUr vaLar tenAr mozhi”!

Detailed Desh raga alapana and tanam. Pallavi in Chatusra and Thisra nadais “Raghuveeram Raghavam Raamam Bhajaami”. Concluded with the Bharatidasan song “thunbam nErgaiyil”.

Wrapped up with a Maduvanti tillana.

Several members of the audience stopped near the stage and congratulated the team for their brilliant performance. A visually challenged gentleman was seen showering blessings on Saketharaman for the aural treat he provided.

[Rsachi]

Sounds like it was a great concert end you had a wonderful experience. Many thanks for the review..

[Rajagopalan_V]

Rsachi, thanks. Well, in the last 6 months or so, have attended several concerts of front-ranking performers such as Sanjay, TMK, Vijay Siva, Abhishek, Malladi Bros, Suryaprakash, etc. Several of them have been good concerts too and stellar individual performances.

However, not often had come across a concert wherein everyone played to their strength and came together well and complemented each other. On that count, this concert indeed stood out. It was not a full house, possibly around 150 odd members in the audience. You could see almost all of them on their feet at the end of the concert and appreciating the team. Quite a few went near the stage and congratulated them too.

Yes, definitely was an evening well spent

[sureshvv]

Are you sure Rakshamam Sharanagatham was not Nattai? He sang that for Kartik Fine Arts.

[HR]

Sounds like a very nice concert thanks for the crisp review v_rajagopalan .
I recently attended a concert of Sri.saketharaman and completely enjoyed his r t p in three ragams - Revathi , Sahana and sivasakthi . Really appreciate the concentration and quick reflex with which the artist shifted between ragams in the Pallavi as well as the Kalpana swarams

[rajeshnat]

With Smt Aruna sairam not participating , my guess is HN Bhaskar and Ghatam karthik who are high quality accompanist who generally play a lot for smt aruna sairam have a chance to play for saketaraman(i may be wrong as it may have been a case of these accompanist being fixed even before).

2years back vv ramanamurthy whom I have not heard him yet did get best senior mrudangam artist from academy. I think saketaraman did a wonderful job with an exemplary team. I have heard saketaraman singing tunbam nergayil and it was very nice . Rajagopalan thanks for your review.I am assuming he also sang swaras in rtp , could you let me know those please?