My last live concert in India this trip, and what a finale for me!
Nick,
Like you, I've been waiting for long to hear Rama Varma play the vINA (having heard him on You tube). I have listened to him live several times as a vocalist, of course. So, though this happened just a day before I left India, I did not want to miss it.
Cienu,
Yes, gracious hosts Srividya, Prakash and family are and I've missed several concerts at their place in the past years. All the more the reason for going, I thought.
As expected, Rama Varma's playing was sweet, soothing and satisfying. The easy flow of his playing--with no harsh notes at all is what I liked when I heard him on the net. I am glad I made it. His smooth slides were a pleasure to hear. Sowkyam and sweetness were combined in his playing.
Another thing which struck me was how RV did not pause to tune the instrument even once, as if it was a western concert! Then, at the very end (before the english note?) he did, and even that was done gently. All in all, a pleasurable concert...
The percussion support, as he himself raved about, was top notch. The more I hear him, the more pleased I am to listen to Hari Kumar. Karthick is Karthick, and his konnakkOl added even more to his usual expertise. Payyanur overdid himself it seemed. Even a lacking-in-layA person like me was riveted to my seat.
Thanks to le prince and company and thanks to Srividya, Prakash and family for a delectable concert of which I will have fond memories...
Warm thoughts from a warm clime in a below freezing weather here. I was the lucky one who missed the bulk of this year's cold spell though--fortunate me, north american rasikAs
Brrr...the north wind doth blow
