T.V.Sankaranarayanan @ Music Academy 28 Dec 2013

[pvs]

TV Sankaranarayanan
Sankara Mahadevan
Mannargudi Eswaran
Mysore Nagaraj
B.Sree Sundarkumar

A different concert list from the veteran giving a peek into his huge repertoire of ragas and uruppadis. No kiravani, mohanam, kamboji, sankarabharanam, begada, kalyani, bhairavi, todi, english notes, eppo varuvaro, etc which find place usually. Even the swaraprastaram sounded different (but easily identifiable with his flowing style) Sankara Mahadevan ably supported TVS during swara volleys but had limited opportunity to sing alone due to 2.5 hr concert. Amazing how TVS still maintains his powerful voice and verve - he should be close to 70. what a range and throw, very comfortable and no cracking at the higher registers! one of the few voices in the circuit not overshadowed by bold mridangam strokes. A lively performance overall. Everyone gelled well onstage. Surprisingly, did not start with viruttam/slokam/kriti on Vinayaka as he usually does. Even before the curtains were pulled aside, one could hear his bold voice singing a viruttam in Hamsadwani (?) on 'karpaga ganapatiye....vidamunda kandan magane...vazhi vazhi'.

1.'Kanna...' viruttam, 'Guruvayurappa' cakravakam N, S,
2.Balakanakamaya, atana
3.raga jaganmohini
shobillu saptaswara
N @ dhara rg samadulalo
S by TVS and SM
4.ragam Vijayanagari ("unga ellarukkum nalla therinja ragam...Vijayanagari")
'Vijayambike Vimalatmike'
The violinist excelled in his returns all through and especially here. TVS was commending him often "beshappa"
Swaras by TVS alone followed by Mysore Nagaraj's
5. quick filler 'Talli tandrulu' in Balahamsa
'6. Detailed alapana of Charukesi followed by Nagaraj on the Violin
Was hoping for something other than 'Adamodi' and was answered with 'Krupaya palaya shaure'
usual (non pejorative sense of the word) TVS style swaras at kp
delectable highlights around pamagaga
7. crisp and brief 'SriRanganathaya namasthe' in dhanyasi
8. very fresh sounding alapana of Suddhasaveri (havent heard this raga from TVS in many years)
Dharini telusukonti with many sangathis @ pallavi
leisurely swaras by TVS and SM crowned by express swaras by TVS
Brief but lively Thani led by sri Eswaran. His playing was very enjoyable and enhanced the mood of the concert.
9. 'Ini arinden eesarkum naan mugarkum deivam' (Tirumazhisai Azhwar pasuram from naanmugan tiruvandhadhi) ragam?
followed by Janakiramana Dasaratha Nandana (Vanamamalai Jeeyar's)in kapi
10. just Surutti raga outline as mangalam

huge standing ovation for a few minutes. He requested the MA staff hurrying in to kindly stand aside so he could accept the applause humbly.
Closing wish - Hope Sri. TVS displays new facets of his repertoire in every following concert.

Overall an excellent, memorable concert. Uncomplicated music, unfettered singing.
An artist's skill lies in making the audience believe that there is no effort involved in the performance...TVS hits a home run at that.

[Rsachi]

An artist's skill lies in making the audience believe that there is no effort involved in the performance

Well said!

[sridhar_ranga]

one of the best concerts I attended this season.....I was happy to stay put at home for the rest of the day

[HarishankarK]

!! WOW !!

[narayan]

For once, am impressed just at reading the concert list. Everyone knows TVS can sing so many things. Looks like he has decided to let loose. Balahamsa, Suddha Saveri. More power to him!

[mohan7narayanan]

pvs......fully endorse your review. Great performance indeed. And you are quite close to TVS's age......born March 7, 1945.

[ganeshkant]

What a concert it was by beloved TVS! amazing !!

In this 3 decades of listening to TVS this is the first time I hear him sing dharini & balahamsa kriti.

Yes,before the curtain raise he too sang a viruttam on Ganapati in behAg and some one in the front row remarked that for shruti alignment TVS always sings this rAgam.Is it ?

[ramanathan]

[pvs]

Ganeshkant, the (hidden behind curtains) viruttam did not sound like behag. I am almost positive now that it was in Nattai - have heard him sing sudaroliye potri (the same) in the 2011 season. too much to remember, too little RAM on me

[rajeshnat]

shri tvs has always mastered in presenting a very tight packaged concerts, it looks like this was one of those . Kudos to him

[pvs]

Sri Eswaran and Sri Nagaraj are in the act of getting up...