N RAVIKIRAN Chitraveena @ NGS 31.12.2013

[Sivaramakrishnan]

N.Ravikiran: Chitraveena
Charumathi Raghuram:Violin
Mannargudi A Easwaran:Mridanga
B S Purushothaman:kanjira

Narada Gana Sabha (Main hall) , Alwarpet, Chennai
4.00-6.45 pm.
Sruti: '5 kattai'
Good turnout of rasikas.

1. Mayamalavagoula- Deva deva kalayaami they charanaambuja sevanam- Swati-Rupaka(K,N,S)
2. Ramaa manohari- Seethaamanohara-Tyagaraja-Aadi (R,K,S)
3. Anandabhairavi- Tyagarajayogavaibhavam-Dikshitar-Tisra Ekam(K )
4. Hamsaanandi- Saamagaanavinodini-lalitaadasar-Misrachaapu(R,K,S)
5. Devamanohari- kannathandrinaapai-Tygaraja-Aadi(K,S)
6. Bilahari-ragam -tanam-pallavi -Khanda Triputa (Eduppu 1 aksharam before samam) vaa guha murugaa vaanavarmukhaa
(list not complete)
As I had to leave on an urgent engagement I cold listen from start to 6.00 p.m.only when the Pallavi (RTP) was under way.

Apart from the musical value, Ravikiran's concerts are educative and informative as well. He announces the details of the compositions (may be after the piece ) with a view to encourage those who want to identify the raga and composer correctly. The laya aspect is intricately woven into the niraval and swaraprastaara segments but it doesn't tire the listener - that's a hallmark of Ravikiran. Thus the niraval and swaram @ Sritavibudhasaala sri padmanabha beginning at upper shadja (instead of @ jaatarupanibhachela) turned out to be novel.

Tyagarajayogavaibhavam was at its 'meditative best' with the gopuccha & srotovaha yatis in the sahitya clearly decipherable.

Ravikiran rightly pointed out that Saamaganavinodini (hamsaanandi) of Lalitadasa was popularised by Chembai vaidynatha bhagavatar. That was quite refreshing. (This kriti has some interesting sawaraaksharas too)

Devamanohari came in with Kannathandrinaapai with some attractive rounds of swaras. (The raga was my request, soI felt highly elated!)

Bilahari aalaapana was complete in all respects. Nice that he took it up for RTP. Ragamalika tanam with Varali, Sahana, Sindhubhairavi (did Ravikiran had a pun while announcing the raga name as 'Sindhu By Ravi'!?). He requested Mannargudi Easwaran to join in for Taanam.

The pallavi was well rendered but I could not stay back till the end. (I find that Lord Muruga is the 'pet God' for Pallavi-s! Could anyone explain?).

Violin accompaniment by Charumathi was very good. Hamsaanandi and Bilahari aalaapanas were beautiful; with absolutely no screeches in bowing that many encounter with a 'H Kattai' (pitch) violin.

Mannargudi Easwaran played with characteristic involvement but with restraint enabling the audience to savour the Chitraveena in full measure. Purushothaman was in his elements during swaraprastaaras.

For me, a fitting musical finale to 2013!
(I would request someone to complete the list of songs)

[Rsachi]

Sivaramakrishnan, Thank you. You have great felicity of expression. Please report/review more!