Amrutha Murali at Unnati Centre on 5.2.2014

[hariniraghavan]

Amrutha Murali sang at Unnati Centre under the Aradhana series. List of songs:

1. Manmanobheeshtam sloka followed by Swararagasudha in Shankarabharana with a quick round of swaras
2. Ninnenera namminaanura in Pantuvarali, with Raga, neraval at Raajillarani Thyagaraja and good round of swaras
3.Murahara Nagadhara (purandaradasa) in Karaharapriya with elaborate Raagalapana
4. Swamimukhyaprana (Purandaradasa) Yadukulakambodhi with raga and a short round of swaras
5.Manaviyala Nalinakanthi brisk swaras
6.Shringaradi Navarasangi (Dikshitar) Davalanga (Davalambari)
7.Karunajudavamma Thodi (main) excellent delineation of Raaga, neraval atDaranusareya Dorakani and swaras, Tani avartanam
8.Brindavanadolagaaduvaryaare Kapi (Purandaradasa)
9.Marthyavathare Manujakritim.. slokam in Yaman Klayani, Sindhu Bhairavi, Nadanamakriya and Punnagavarali followed by Maanasa sanchrare rame in Punnagavarali (Shamasastri)
10. Neenama rupam Mangalam.

Amrutha is a mature artist with a deep voice and sincere attempt at her presentation. It was a neat, flawless concert. There was overall 'Sowkyam' in her concert. There was absolute control over Raga and tala. The tempo was well balanced. Be it raga, kriti, neraval or swaram, there was no dearth of bhavam. She was confident and absolutely calm throughout. It was a top class concert. Unfortunately attendance was very poor. Whether to attribute it to distance and week day or to rasikas' concentration at Gayanasamaj for Sudha Raghunathan, it is not clear. But an young artist of this calibre deserves better attendance and encouragement. Those who missed yesterday should definitely give it a try next time. Nalina Mohan was good, Cheluvaraju was understanding and played softly, not disturbing the peace created by Amrutha. Cheluvaraju and Sukanya Ramgopal played a neat Tani avartanam.

[Rsachi]

I was there till the Tani after Todi.
Amrutha strikes me as a very competent musician. She seems to know a wide range of kritis and was apparently not referring to notes even while singing rare Kannada songs. She renders raga and swara with panache and no apparent effort either. Her voice is pleasant and easily covers more than two octaves.

SaukhyaM is her forte no doubt.

In order to climb the concert ladder, she will have to introduce some fizz or sparkle (or you can say AHHA moments) into her presentation.

I am sorry to say I found the decibel level overall rather high. I measured it at 101 dB. The accompaniments were loud and tinny to my ears and took away the saukhyaM a bit. I went and told this to the mic managers and they turned it down later, by the Yadukula Kambhoji item.

Isn't Brindavanadolu in Brindavani!? And the Manasa Sanchara re Rame by Thyagaraja?

Thanks for the prompt review, by the way, and I think people like you made up with quality to compensate for the smallish crowd (max 40).

[kssr]

Amrita is one of the best in her generation. Solid presentation. See the three opening items. Heavy duty items ! Very good. Three dasara kritis well rendered, ESP. The Kharaharapriya piece. Manasa sancharare was by Thyagaraja.

[Rsachi]

A discovery: brndavanadolu aduvanare is sung in many variations : Brindavani as I have heard it many times, also Mand, Tilang, and now I see Kapi. There is also I believe a version in a ragamalika!

[kssr]