RANJANI-GAYATHRI AT INFOSYS HALL ON 1 FEB

[CRama]

Sree Ramakrishna Mission Students Home, Mylapore organised the concert of the sisters as a part of the 150th Jayanthi Celebrations of Swami Vivekananda at the above veneue. Three programmes titled musical tribute to Swamiji were held in the venue. RG were accompanied on the violin by M.Rajiv, Sai Giridhar on the Mridangam and Chandrasekar Sarma on the Ghatam. The list of songs.

[*]Slokam in Hamsadhwani and Hindolam followed by Bhajare Swami Vivekanandam- Hindolam. Composed by Sri. Harsha Nanda and tuned by Sri. Ramamurthy Rao.
[*]Mamavasada janani- Kanada – ST
[*]Anavaratham Pugazh Paaduvom Vivekanandarin inai mlaradi pottri- Poorvikalyani – D.Pattammal.
[*]Hecharikagaaraa raa- Yadukulakambodi- Thyagraja
[*]Kundram kudi konda velavaa-Thodi-Papanasam Sivan
[*]Bhajan- Bagesree
[*]Abhang-Durga
[*]Mangalam.

I admit that this is my first concert of the sisters. I had seen them only in the MMU in TV. But I know they are immensely popular and draw huge crowds wherever they perform and the reviews in our forum vouch that their concert is highly enjoyable. They are known for their selection of songs to suit the various occasions. In today's concert, being the celebrations of Swami Vivekananda Jayanthi, they have aptly included two kritis on the Swami. Compositions on the Swami, are rare though. The names of the composer and tunesmith of the two songs were announced by them. The sloka was meditative in the start and formed a perfect prelude to the song on the Swami in Hindolam. This was laced with spright swaras in the second kalam.

Then came a grand Poorvikalyani by Ranjani. The structure of the alapana was beautifully built. The delineation of raga and establishing the perfect mood for the song to come up was beautiful. D.Pattammal's composition was rendered with clarity of diction, highlighting the bhavam portrayed by the composer. The neraval lines were very thoughtfully chosen- Anavarathamum pugazh paduvom Vivekanandarin inai malaradi potri. The neraval was done elaborately anchoring around the jeeva swaras of the ragam followed by elaborate swara prastharas in two kalams.

After the filler in Yadukulakambodi, Thodi was taken up by Gayathri for elaboration. I especially liked Gayathri's alapana with her lightning fast brighas and traversal through different octaves. Absolutely beautiful. The song chosen by them is also not frequently heard in the concerts nowadays. I am much happy for selection of this song. Neraval was done in the start of the charanam Undan pugazh kanavilum oru kanamum maranthirunthariyene Again good choice of meaningful lines for neraval Elaborate neraval and swaras in two kalams with interesting kuraippu was done with aplomb.

After the thani, a bhajan is Bagesree explaining the role of Guru in one's life was soulfully rendered dedicating the song to the three Gurus Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Smt Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananada.The sisters sing Abhangs like no other. And today was no exception either. What brilliance in that piece! Their training in Hindustani music keeps them in good stead. Their expertise in this genre of music definitely contributed to their ascent to the top. They sang an abhang in the raga Durga in a typical hindustani style. The akaras they executed were truly mesmerising. It reflected their depth in the musical form and definitely their sadhakam and imagination. They concluded with the traditional mangalam.

It was an excellent concert from the word go. Selection of songs, choice of words for neraval,
an excellent vocal throw with shruthi suddham, wide repertoire, getting the pulse of the audience and keeping the audience informed as to the niceties of the kritis presented, all mark their concert as excellent. The chemistry they share on the stage, the mutual understanding, the healthy space they give each other for presenting individual creativity and the unbelievable synchronization are the many other factors that contribute to their concert's success. While doing neraval singing of first half of the chosen lines by Ranjani with Gayathri immediately continuing with the second half creates an electric impact on the listeners. In today's concert, the accompanists all gelled well and contributed immensely for the success of the concert. The violin returns of Rajiv in ragams, swaras, neravals were superb. Sai Giridhar and Chandrasekar Sarma played with immense sensitivity.

The audience was a mixed one. Being the celebrations of RKM School, it consisted of lot of students,teachers and parents, who may not be regular concert goers. The concert started by 6.40 and ended at 8.50.The hall was full at the beginning and three fourth at the end. The children however, left much early. An excellent concert.

[CRama]

In the above concert, I met our forumite Ganeshkant after many months and we enjoyed the concert together.

[rajeshnat]

[*]Slokam in Hamsadhwani and Hindolam followed by Bhajare Swami Vivekanandam- Hindolam. Composed by Sri. Harsha Nanda and tuned by Sri. Ramamurthy Rao.
...
[*]Kundram kudi konda velavaa-Thodi-Papanasam Sivan

Anyone who can clarify,
I am assuming Bangalore ramamurthy and ramamurthy Rao is the same person. The same tunesmith who tuned the popular sangeetha samrAjya sanchArini rendered and made famous by maharajapuram santhanam. Any insights on Harsha nanda , is he a contemporary composer???.

Crama,
About 10 years back i heard RG sisters sing this rare tOdi krithi of sivan kunram kudi kOnda velavAin a vinayakar temple at ra puram . I immensely liked the neraval of the song then . Certainly a nice composition . Tx for the review

[ganeshkant]

Yes,it was an excellent concert.immensely enjoyed along with Crama.I think the composer of the first no.is B.Ramamoorthy.