Rithvik Raja @ Kapali Temple on 20/02/2014

[rasikashironmani]

Rithvik Raja (Vocal)
M. Rajiv (Violin)
Thanjavur Praveen Kumar (Mridangam)
KV. Gopalakrishnan (Ganjeera)
Chandrashekara Sharma (Ghatam)

1. Vallabha - Begada - Rupakam - Muthuswami Dikshitar (rs)
2. Adikondar - Mayamalavagowla - Adi - Muthuthandavar (s)
3. E Vasudha - Sahana - Adi - Thyagaraja (r)
4. Kaa Vaa Vaa - Varali - Adi - Papanasam Sivan (rs)
5. Om Saravanabhava - Shanmugapriya - Adi - Papanasam Sivan
6. Senthil Andavan - Karaharapriya - Rupakam - Papanasam Sivan (rnt)
7. Eppo Varuvaro - Jonpuri - Adi - Gopalakrishna Bharathi
8. Jaya Jaya Shankara - Darbarikanada - Adi - ?
9. Karpagame - Madhyamavathi - Adi - Papanasam Sivan
10. Vazhiya Senthamizh

Shri Rithvik seems to have made steady progress over the last couple of years and made a name for himself. I listened to his concerts during the season and was impressed. He started by singing a short alapana of Begada after which there was a procession around the temple, halting the proceedings for a few minutes. He continued with Vallabha and sang an array of swaras. Shri Rajiv and Shri Rithvik seemed to share a very good rapport on stage. It was a nice mix of songs. Though his mannerisms sometimes reminded me of his guru, his music was different with flashes of the old TMK and did not sound like a mere xerox copy. The highlight of the concert was the swara section in Varali with swaras in Chatusram, Thisram and Khantam for Pazhanimalai leading back to Kaa Vaa Vaa. The percussion department boosted the concert and it was nice to hear both the ghatam and the ganjeera together. Shri Rithvik's voice was in great form and the understanding between the artists on stage was commendable. However, he tends to move away from the microphone from time to time. A young team of artists gave a very mature and memorable concert.

[Lakshman]

Om sharavaNabhava is by Papanasham Shivan.

[rasikashironmani]

Thank you Lakshman. I have made the changes on the list. Any idea on who the composer for the Darbarikanada song is? Never heard anyone sing that before.