Gayathri Girish @ Ananthapadmanabhaswamy temple, 7-2-'14

[sureshvv]

Gayathri Girish gave an inspired performance as part of the annual temple brahmotsavam festivities. In spite of the late start (about 45 mins behind schedule), the concert included all vital aspects of a kucheri in good measure,

Accompanists
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Mysore Srikanth
Poonkulam Subramanian
Anirudh Athreya

Song list
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1. Ento premo (varnam), Surutti, Adi, [OS]
2. Devadeva kalayami, mayamalagowla, rupaka, ST
3. Kalyanavasantam, Innu daya baradhe, khanda chapu, purandaradasa, [NS @ srinatha purandara]
4. Telisi rama, poornachandrika, adi, T
5. Thunai purindarul, varamu, adi, Sivan [O]
6. Varali, Seshachala nayakam, rupaka, D [NS @ aravinda patra nayanam]
7. Thani

Observations
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1. With a powerful voice that fills the auditorium over the din of the temple crowd, the concert held the attention of the devotees well past 9pm.

2. A brief alapana of varamu preceded the kriti. Had the concert started on time, we may have heard a more expansive version.

3. Attention to lyrics and enhanced presentation of figurative language are hallmarks of Gayathri's performing style. Although I have heard the varali kriti numerous times, the anupallavi sought out my attention at this concert.

4. Mysore Srikanth was at his best during his sensitive alapanas. Percussion accompaniment was good but the thani got quite loud.

[arasi]

Suresh,
Did you stay till the end?
Yes, some years ago, I was at the same temple to hear her, and as you say, her powerful voice carried over the sounds of the temple.

You say: attention to lyrics and enhanced presentation of figurative language are the hallmarks of Gayathri Girish's performing style.

I couldn't have said it better. I have also felt that way, more so when I heard her sing my songs a few times.

[sureshvv]

Suresh,
Did you stay till the end?

Unfortunately I could not. Let us just say that the authorities share part of the blame, since there was a delay in the prasadham distribution

You say: attention to lyrics and enhanced presentation of figurative language are the hallmarks of Gayathri Girish's performing style.

I couldn't have said it better. I have also felt that way, more so when I heard her sing my songs a few times.

Gayathri Girish is one among a handful of artistes not content with just singing the "best of". As if on a mission she seeks out composers, both ancient and modern, and takes on the onus of popularizing noteworthy compositions, sometimes even as viruthams or slokams. One of the reasons she has a pretty loyal following.

[mahavishnu]

Gayathri Girish is one among a handful of artistes not content with just singing the "best of". As if on a mission she seeks out composers, both ancient and modern, and takes on the onus of popularizing noteworthy compositions, sometimes even as viruthams or slokams. One of the reasons she has a pretty loyal following.

Very astute observation. I think that is very true. She has a niche following, which is very loyal and dedicated.

[rshankar]

Gayathri Girish is one among a handful of artistes not content with just singing the "best of". As if on a mission she seeks out composers, both ancient and modern, and takes on the onus of popularizing noteworthy compositions, sometimes even as viruthams or slokams. One of the reasons she has a pretty loyal following.

And pronounces words clearly and very appropriately - for instance, she pronounces words like dharmam as darmam in a tamizh kRti and dharman in kRtis in telugu and sanskrit...and I have yet to her say bhramA for brahmA, an egregious mispronunciation from many artists.